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saroz162's review against another edition
5.0
One of Baum's very finest: great characters, an exciting quest, and a real sense of purpose. Many seem to regard this as one of the finest books in the series, and that holds up; Baum's imagination is at its peak, and there are several sequences that linger long in the memory. One chapter is subject to some unfortunate racial stereotyping (c.f. other "African pygmies" depicted in lit of this time), but it's misguided rather than malicious. You've got to mention it - it's there - but it doesn't hold a candle to the staggering racism seen in most children's books of the period.
luisasm's review against another edition
3.0
One of the best Oz books I think, that makes me laugh and love all the characters.
sqeeker's review against another edition
4.0
- This story has the most endearing characters since the first book. I loved Ojo and the patchwork girl.
- The story wasn't a typcial Oz book, but at the same time it is a very typical Oz book. The formula was changed a bit.
- I loved the Ojo's motives. He worked so hard because he loves his Unc Nunkie. It was sweet.
- Oz is a just, kind, and understanding place. I want to live there. Everyone is happy. There is no crime. I wish our leaders were more like Ozma.
- I really enjoyed this one!
- The story wasn't a typcial Oz book, but at the same time it is a very typical Oz book. The formula was changed a bit.
- I loved the Ojo's motives. He worked so hard because he loves his Unc Nunkie. It was sweet.
- Oz is a just, kind, and understanding place. I want to live there. Everyone is happy. There is no crime. I wish our leaders were more like Ozma.
- I really enjoyed this one!
hidekisohma's review against another edition
5.0
Now before i get into this review, I have to say this. I am not a big fan of the Wizard of Oz (aka the movie). The highest praise i can give for that movie is that i find it....meh. It's not good, it's not bad, it's just kind of...there.
So when i heard that the books were better than the movie, i didn't exactly have a high bar to set. Which in my opinion is the best way to go into this. No expectations whatsoever. and to my surprise, I actually found myself enjoying this book WAY more than i thought i would.
What i can say about this book is that i actually had FUN. It wasn't depressing, violent, or anything like that, i just had plain fun. Which is rare for me when i read a book. Even novels like Narnia have violence and death, but for once, it was nice to read a book where none of that happens, and for the first time in a while i can use this word unironically. "Whimsy". that is the word i would to describe this book. Whimsy. And it was like a breath of fresh air.
There's a few main characters in this book, and for the most part, i can say that i liked all of them. Ojo, the munchkin wasn't annoying, but actually endearing. The Woozy (a block-shaped cat-like creatures) was funny, and the patchwork girl was actually a delight. She has quickly become one of my favorite literary characters. She's just so much fun to be around, and from what i hear, she's in the later oz books which is nice.
I had to think about it for a while, but i think one of the reasons i like the main character so much (ojo, not patchwork) is because, while he has his own adventure and meets up with the other main characters from other novels such as dorothy, the tin man, etc, and they become quick friends with him, he doesn't FEEL like a Gary Stu. He actually feels like a real character with foibles and negative personality traits. It's so rare to see this that it just made the book even more enjoyable.
The best way i can describe this book is with a quote from the middle of the book when they're talking about their prison
"We consider a prisoner unfortunate. He is unfortunate in two ways β because he has done something wrong and because he is deprived of his liberty. Therefore, we should treat him kindly, because of his misfortune, for otherwise he would become hard and bitter and would not be sorry he had done wrongβ¦"
This is the kind of message that's in this book, and it's just so refreshing to see. To see a fantasy world where people aren't getting stabbed every five minutes (ala Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings) but they solve their problems with WORDS. And that's the thing, it feels fantastical. hence FANTASY. And i think a lot of fantasy novels forget that.
Overall, LOVED this book and i hope the rest of the Oz books are this good. This book is over 100 years old but you'd never feel it. 5/5.
So when i heard that the books were better than the movie, i didn't exactly have a high bar to set. Which in my opinion is the best way to go into this. No expectations whatsoever. and to my surprise, I actually found myself enjoying this book WAY more than i thought i would.
What i can say about this book is that i actually had FUN. It wasn't depressing, violent, or anything like that, i just had plain fun. Which is rare for me when i read a book. Even novels like Narnia have violence and death, but for once, it was nice to read a book where none of that happens, and for the first time in a while i can use this word unironically. "Whimsy". that is the word i would to describe this book. Whimsy. And it was like a breath of fresh air.
There's a few main characters in this book, and for the most part, i can say that i liked all of them. Ojo, the munchkin wasn't annoying, but actually endearing. The Woozy (a block-shaped cat-like creatures) was funny, and the patchwork girl was actually a delight. She has quickly become one of my favorite literary characters. She's just so much fun to be around, and from what i hear, she's in the later oz books which is nice.
I had to think about it for a while, but i think one of the reasons i like the main character so much (ojo, not patchwork) is because, while he has his own adventure and meets up with the other main characters from other novels such as dorothy, the tin man, etc, and they become quick friends with him, he doesn't FEEL like a Gary Stu. He actually feels like a real character with foibles and negative personality traits. It's so rare to see this that it just made the book even more enjoyable.
The best way i can describe this book is with a quote from the middle of the book when they're talking about their prison
"We consider a prisoner unfortunate. He is unfortunate in two ways β because he has done something wrong and because he is deprived of his liberty. Therefore, we should treat him kindly, because of his misfortune, for otherwise he would become hard and bitter and would not be sorry he had done wrongβ¦"
This is the kind of message that's in this book, and it's just so refreshing to see. To see a fantasy world where people aren't getting stabbed every five minutes (ala Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings) but they solve their problems with WORDS. And that's the thing, it feels fantastical. hence FANTASY. And i think a lot of fantasy novels forget that.
Overall, LOVED this book and i hope the rest of the Oz books are this good. This book is over 100 years old but you'd never feel it. 5/5.
wildgurl's review against another edition
4.0
The Patchwork Girl of Ozππππ
Land of Oz # 7
By Baum
1913
This book introduces us to Ojo, The Unlucky, a munchkin boy, who sets out on a quest to save his Uncle, Unc Nunkie from starvation, and begins by visiting old friend Dr. Pipt. Dr. Pipt demonstrated his 'Powder of Life' which animates any object it touches with magic words. He invented this powder for his wife, Margolette, to bring a patchwork doll to life to be her slave. However, another of Dr. Pipts inventions, the Liquid of Petrifacation, has spilled on his wife and him turning them to marble. The only way to save his uncle is to find an antidote for the Liquid of Petrification. He needs to find 5 specific ingredients for the antidote.
Ojos searches through Oz, for these 5 ingredients: 1. 3 hairs from the tip of a Woozy tail. 2. A gill ( quarter pint) of water from a dark well. 3. A drop of oil from a live human body. 4. A 6 leaf clover. 5. The left wing of a yellow butterfly
Ojo has collected all but the left wing because Yellow butterfly's only live in the Country of Winkie, where the Tin Man is emperor and he will not allow any living thing to die, even to save another. So they return to Emerald City and enlist the help of the Wizard of Oz. The wizard grants his wish and then renamed him Ojo The Lucky.
An interesting note: Baum wrote an additional chapter, titled 'The Garden of Meats'. It deals with a race of vegetable people, called Mangaboos. These vegetable people grew
"meat people" for food, the plants main feature were heads of human children. Baum was asked to not include the chapter by his editors, and it has been deleted and never found, except in reference.
I love this series....the wacky characters and plots. This is probably one of the best in the series so far......
Land of Oz # 7
By Baum
1913
This book introduces us to Ojo, The Unlucky, a munchkin boy, who sets out on a quest to save his Uncle, Unc Nunkie from starvation, and begins by visiting old friend Dr. Pipt. Dr. Pipt demonstrated his 'Powder of Life' which animates any object it touches with magic words. He invented this powder for his wife, Margolette, to bring a patchwork doll to life to be her slave. However, another of Dr. Pipts inventions, the Liquid of Petrifacation, has spilled on his wife and him turning them to marble. The only way to save his uncle is to find an antidote for the Liquid of Petrification. He needs to find 5 specific ingredients for the antidote.
Ojos searches through Oz, for these 5 ingredients: 1. 3 hairs from the tip of a Woozy tail. 2. A gill ( quarter pint) of water from a dark well. 3. A drop of oil from a live human body. 4. A 6 leaf clover. 5. The left wing of a yellow butterfly
Ojo has collected all but the left wing because Yellow butterfly's only live in the Country of Winkie, where the Tin Man is emperor and he will not allow any living thing to die, even to save another. So they return to Emerald City and enlist the help of the Wizard of Oz. The wizard grants his wish and then renamed him Ojo The Lucky.
An interesting note: Baum wrote an additional chapter, titled 'The Garden of Meats'. It deals with a race of vegetable people, called Mangaboos. These vegetable people grew
"meat people" for food, the plants main feature were heads of human children. Baum was asked to not include the chapter by his editors, and it has been deleted and never found, except in reference.
I love this series....the wacky characters and plots. This is probably one of the best in the series so far......
paperrhino's review against another edition
3.0
As with The Emerald City of Oz, this was much better then The Road to Oz, however, I struggle with one aspect of Baums writing. Even though I know that these are primarily books for children, I am continually disappointed with the deus ex machina that concludes every book. I'm starting to find this a bit tedious. As a result, I think I will give the Oz books a break for awhile.
If you enjoy the other books, this one is in the top three recommendations of those I've read thus far.
If you enjoy the other books, this one is in the top three recommendations of those I've read thus far.
jackpumpkinhead's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
awishman's review against another edition
4.0
The best written in the Oz series so far. The characters are as inventive as ever, and the plot is the most developed of any of the Oz books so far. Baum's growth as a writer is apparent in this homespun fairy tale that is sure to delight.