Reviews

The Patchwork Girl of Oz by L. Frank Baum

efef's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted

3.5

cowmouflage's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

mrdent's review against another edition

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5.0

A great return to form for Baum and Oz- after three or so middling Oz stories (well, it’s Oz, so even “middling” is timeless, classic and thoroughly iconic) we finally have another fantastic children’s story.
Ojo the Munchkin has to save his beloved Uncle who’s been transformed into a marble statue, and he’s joined in his adventure by a delightful Patchwork girl named Scraps. Scraps is a particularly interesting Oz character, and the story is full of wonderful and interesting adventures. I think the classic Oz characters are also particularly well utilized here.
Although, I’ll never get over how casually that poor Glass Cat was lobotomized and nobody seemed to care much about it at all.

lexxluthor's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kitsuneheart's review against another edition

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3.0

While I do find the Oz books to be highly repetitive (though I suppose who could blame Baum for doing this to remain financially solvent), this book, at least, has some original charm. We're introduced to several new characters, including the stalwart Ojo, the fanciful Scraps (the Patchwork Girl), and the continually conceited Glass Cat.

The part I like about this book, and which earned it an extra star oveer the other Oz books I've read, is that there's a defined quest and the book as a whole is working towards that quest. So often, the Oz books have a plot something like "whoops, we're in a fairy land, let's wander around." But with an idea of what the character's motivations are and what their final goal is, you can actually get a little invested in the story.

alyshadeshae's review

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3.0

So the Patchwork Girl is kind of awful. The character, specifically, but also the book. I get that it's written for children, but it's so basic and so crudely written. You can tell that Baum was tired of the series.

sarahanne8382's review against another edition

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3.0

These are just entertaining enough that the kids and I will continue listening to the series in the car, but they're all starting to blend together. Still, a fun nonsense adventure story.

bargainbookquest's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5*

Another misleading title as the story of this one does not center on the little Patchwork Girl but she is a simple character travelling on an adventure with a bunch of other characters all as multicolored as can be and as inventive as can get. A rude cat made of glass gets annoying more than anything after a while, however... rude and egotistical, in my opinion.

The general story is getting pretty repetitive however and I'm not sure how much longer I can go reading basically the same thing over and over again. I mean, a group of people get into traveling to get to the point and they get to meet different cities and places and people and something or another happens that makes the whole thing less fun but they get out of it and it's the end and everyone was happy. I mean, I like this sort of story but... after 7 books... you know... It's still getting 3.5 because it's not a bad story.

acoffia's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful 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

3.5

cimorene1558's review against another edition

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3.0

I always get this one mixed up with, I think, the Nome King of Oz, which Patches also plays a major part in. Both are good, but I think the Nome King is slightly better.