Reviews - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Annotated

6.06k reviews for:

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Annotated

L. Frank Baum

3.84 AVERAGE

fynnsternis's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

What a queer little book!
I never read or watched this story before so I didn't actually know the plot very well and it's was a bit of a bizarre experience. A lot of dead creatures along the way, including two witches and like 50 wolves.
I don't actually want to start tearing the plot apart because it's an ancient children's book but what a random story most of the time.

lucy_05's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

What a way to remember you're childhood! Although I was surprised to discover the differences between this book and the old movie version- the slippers being silver instead of ruby red for one.
No one can knock an old classic though, still great as always :)

darkancy's review against another edition

4.0

The Scarecrow: "I cannot understand why you should wish to leave this beautiful country and go back to the dry, grey place you call Kansas"
Dorothy: "That is because you have no brains"

The way I SCREAMED.

This book took me on a journey filled with singing Munchkins, flying monkeys, and a yellow brick road that I swear was just an elaborate treadmill because it never seemed to end.
L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a classic, sure, but let’s get one thing straight: this is not the Technicolor musical you grew up with. It’s darker, weirder, and features a Tin Woodman who casually talks about hacking living creatures to pieces. (Sir???)

The Plot in a Nutshell:
Dorothy, a seven-year-old child, gets yeeted into a tornado and wakes up in a world that operates solely on vibes and the whims of a sparkly shoe enthusiast. (Also let's not forget that she straight-up commits involuntary manslaughter within the first five pages, and everyone throws a party about it. Wild.)
Dorothy is told to follow the Yellow Brick Road to find the Wizard Oz, who can send her home. Along the way, she assembles a squad of a brainless scarecrow, a heartless tin man, and a cowardly lion—all of whom have crippling self-esteem issues. Together, they go on a journey that’s basically a long-winded therapy session.

This book is pure chaotic energy. Angry apple trees, a deadly field of poppies, and a Wizard whose entire deal is just “fake it till you make it.” But you know what? I kinda loved it. It’s weird, whimsical, and has that old-timey storytelling charm.
Did it make sense? Not really. Did I have fun? Absolutely.

ROCKY'S JUDGMENT

This book made him feel something. He was being so dramatic.

Rocky's rating:

saraferu's review against another edition

5.0

No esperaba para nada que me gustase tanto pero me ha parecido un cuento muy completo y lo he disfrutado bastante.

Había visto la película de pequeña pero no recordaba nada de nada, así que me ha sorprendido el libro.

¡Que el mago de Oz sea un farsante me ha parecido genial! Y el espantapájaros creo que ha sido mi personaje favorito.

modernmissgranger's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

the_bookish_escape's review against another edition

3.0

It’s a sweet children’s book which has a fever-dream vibe going on. A lot of stuff just… happens, often really anti-climacticlly. I truely don’t know why it has become THIS iconic, I guess the movie must have been really good.
Wouldn’t read it again and I’m glad I’m done with it.