I was inspired to read this after finishing Finding Dorothy. It was fun to listen to the story I know from the movie in the context of that book. I liked knowing that it was based on Magdalena. 

Since I have always known this story, it's impossible to rate. I had forgotten some things and I think the book does a better job showing The wizard to be a humbug. It's strange to me that that's the title since the wizard is not a big part of the story. I wish more was made of how the traits were already in the scarecrow, lion, and tin man. Especially since the wizard didn't do anything. 

adventurous lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced

For the last twenty years, the trend in indie comics and young adult novels, is not to create a truly excellent, engaging narrative, but to present an idea which could be expanded into a movie franchise with very little work. Just write an outline that a Hollywood executive could understand and let a group of writers who have made their careers putting out mediocre movies use your premise to make something entirely banal but with, hopefully, memorable characters.

The Wizard Of Oz would have fit right in with those books.

It's the first and, if memory serves, the weakest of L Frank Baum's Oz books. But it's a cool premise, and it's easy to follow. Luckily, he wrote it about 100 years early, so instead of some hack producer making a mostly forgettable movie franchise, three amazing screenwriters, and a slew of directors punched up the somewhat stagnant story, and turned it into one of the mose beloved movies in the history of cinema.

The movie, contrary to the cliche, is far superior to the book.

While both are aimed at children, the movie chooses to engage the children with wisdom and wonder. The book with repetition and a slight disdain for its own characters. It's by no means terrible, but it's very disappointing compared to the movie.

I still recommend it for people looking for a bit of nostalgic fun. But, also contrary to the cliche, the best part of the Oz books are the sequels.

Sad to say that this was one of those instances where the movie was better than the book, but when the movie is so iconic, what else can one expect?
lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Timeless Journey of Adventure and Self-Discovery

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is an absolute classic that continues to captivate readers of all ages with its enchanting world, unforgettable characters, and timeless themes. L. Frank Baum's storytelling is imaginative and whimsical, transporting readers to the magical land of Oz, where a young girl named Dorothy embarks on a journey that will change her life forever.

The story is simple yet profound, following Dorothy as she seeks to return home to Kansas, meeting three unforgettable companions along the way: the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion. Each character is in search of something they believe they lack, and through their adventures, they learn that what they were searching for was within them all along.

Baum’s world-building is nothing short of magical. Oz is a land full of wonder, danger, and unforgettable characters. The Munchkins, the Wicked Witch, and the flying monkeys create an atmosphere that is both whimsical and thrilling, adding layers to the story’s charm. And at its heart, the novel is about friendship, courage, and the power of believing in oneself—messages that remain timeless and universal.

The writing is accessible yet captivating, making it the perfect read for both young readers and adults. Baum’s beautiful, vivid descriptions bring Oz to life, and his characters, especially Dorothy and her companions, are endearing and relatable. The book explores themes of self-discovery, belonging, and the importance of home in such a way that it resonates with everyone, no matter their age.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is one of those rare books that can be enjoyed again and again, offering something new with each read. It’s a heartfelt, magical adventure that still holds its charm over a century after its original publication. If you haven’t read this gem yet, do yourself a favor and dive into the world of Oz—you’ll be glad you did! 

This was such an interesting experience. Like I've stated in most of my updates, I've never read the original classic tale of the Wizard of Oz. Sure I've seen the adaptations in books and movies, but I've never even thought about the original text. I was super excited to get to this book and count it as one my classics for the year. I must say there were a lot of different things in this book that frequently get left out in the movies or book adaptations. I found the writing easy to follow and the narrator interesting; however, I did find that Dorothy is quite naive. She has the solutions to a lot of her problems but for some reason she can't seem to really figure anything out. One of the most interesting parts of this book was the fact that I realized how much time Dorothy actually spent with the Wicked Witch of the West. Most people have no idea that she was actually kept captive for a little while. I always assumed that Dorothy just kind of kills her, but there's more to it than that. Overall, I think it's a great children's classic and I enjoyed it for the most part. I'm interested in continuing the series but I haven't decided when I'll pick it up.

Non l'avevo mai letto integralmente, e devo dire che mi ha intrattenuta molto, forse grazie al suo linguaggio lineare, diretto e senza troppi fronzoli (adatto ai bambini, ovviamente). Sottosignificati per niente scontati e una grande fantasia nella costruzione di un mondo facile da immaginare per il lettore, ma non così immediato da creare per un autore. Molto contenta di averlo recuperato, si legge velocemente e lascia una stilla di positività.
adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Buku ini menyenangkan. Kisahnya pun asyik.

Estaría más entre las 3.5-4 estrellas.

A ver, se nota muchísimo que es un clásico infantil. La historia es sencilla, sin mucha complejidad y con un lenguaje sencillo y adecuado para la edad infantil.
No sé tampoco mucho qué decir porque todos conocemos la historia. Lo que me ha sorprendido es que sea una primera parte de una saga, cuando todos, o eso creo, pensamos que es un autoconclusivo más.
Los personajes están bien para una historia para niños. Yo actualmente busco personajes que conozcamos poco a poco a través de la historia, que crezcan a lo largo de esta. Y eso me ha faltado, pero repito, está bien para una historia para niños.
El mundo me ha gustado, y me he quedado con ganas de más (de ahí a que me plantee continuar la "saga" para ver más de la ciudad Esmeralda y todo este mundo.

El final, muy abrupto. Es como: hala, fin. Y a mí, esos finales tan abruptos, no me van.

Lo bueno es que es divertido, entretenido, y corto. Yo lo he leido en inglés, y no me ha costado mucho. (El nivel lo calculo como un nivel medio, porque incluye muchas palabras inventadas y elementos fantásticos).