Reviews

The Patchwork Girl of Oz by L. Frank Baum

erickibler4's review against another edition

5.0

Here I am, almost 60, and revisiting Oz, the favorite country of my youth. I must say, these books are as enjoyable to me as ever. And maybe there are things I enjoy even more as an adult. Baum's silly wordplay. The plotting. I love how Ojo never completes his quest, for a reason that should be clear for anyone who knows Oz, once the ingredients he must seek are told to him. But I won't spoil things.

Of course, you meet the madcap Scraps in this book, as well as Ojo, the Woozy, and Bungle the Glass Cat. But there are also star turns from old favorites: the Shaggy Man, Scarecrow, Dorothy, and the Tin Woodman all have major roles to play. The monosyllabic Unc Nunkie is one of my favorite minor characters, too.

hanrochi's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.0

giopep's review against another edition

4.0

La ragazza di pezza di Oz è il settimo libro della serie ed esce tre anni dopo che il precedente aveva posto fine alle vicende di Dorothy e compagni. Solo che bisogna pagare le bollette e quindi eccoci qua. Il libro è del 1913, eppure la formula è già chiaramente quella del “requel” contemporaneo, con nuovi personaggi da seguire che raccontano una storia inedita in un contesto noto e buttan lì pretesti e spiegoni per reintrodurre le figure a cui siamo affezionati. E, oh, funziona, tra l’altro infilando tematiche sorprendentemente moderne - in particolare tutto un bel discorso neanche troppo allegorico sul ruolo delle carceri che dovrebbero essere correttive e non punitive - e divertendo un sacco me e mia figlia con il suo turbinio incessante giochi di parole davvero stupidini. Bello.

lory_enterenchanted's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted

4.0

Baum comes back to Oz with one of his better efforts, in spite of Ozma's behavior being illogical as usual. (Mari Ness calls it "Ozma fail.") The problem is that those few people allowed to use magic in Oz are too powerful, but that has to be ignored or side-stepped at times so that anything can happen. In one of those logical holes the Patchwork Girl was brought to life, a welcome addition to the population! The standard quest narrative of finding items for a magical potion is unnecessary if Ozma would just remember to use the Magic Belt, but it's not even mentioned in this book. But the real point is for Ojo to travel and learn ...

tregina's review against another edition

2.0

I'm afraid this one just didn't do it for me. I thought Scraps was really interesting, as a character who actually reads as neuroatypical, but aside from that the whole thing was a bit of a bore.

outcolder's review against another edition

5.0

This was my fav in the series

lovelynovellas's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

2.5

Dnf at66%

_lilbey_'s review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

blondierocket's review against another edition

3.0

This was one of my favorites next to the first two books. The Patchwork Girl of Oz is about a magician who makes a potion for his wife to turn her patchwork girl alive so she can be their servant. They are met by a munchkin and his uncle are in need of food and stop at the house.

But not all goes as planned and the uncle and wife are turned to glass, forcing Ojo the munchkin, the patchwork girl and others to travel around the land of oz in search of the ingredients for a magic potion that will bring them back to life.

It was a quick and easy read, very fun.

efef's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted

3.5