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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-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
*:･ﾟ125/ 108
This one is so cute! I definitely prefer this book versus the first one I read a few months ago!
This one is so cute! I definitely prefer this book versus the first one I read a few months ago!
This book is odd. It starts off with an army of girls taking over emerald city with knitting needles so they could have nice jewellery but ends with (not sure if a spoiler warning is needed on a 100 year old book but I didn't know it was coming so it was a big surprise to me)
Don't think it quite captures the magic of the first book (which might be my movie bias) but still a fun time. It's definitely kept me interested to read the rest.
Spoiler
the most casual, no-big-deal gender transition in literary history.Don't think it quite captures the magic of the first book (which might be my movie bias) but still a fun time. It's definitely kept me interested to read the rest.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I listened to the Librivox audio version, read by Phil Chenevert.
Before I discovered Goodreads, I didn't even know there was a whole Oz-series. Now that I do, it gives me plenty of (audio) material to use before falling asleep. This second book in the series is technically a sequel to [b:The Wonderful Wizard of Oz|236093|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1)|L. Frank Baum|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398003737s/236093.jpg|1993810], which I love dearly. However, the story of The Marvelous Land of Oz feels totally different, even though it takes place in the same land and with some of the characters we already know from the Wizard of Oz.
Despite this being a children's book, I felt like a lot of the jokes were meant for an adult audience. Somehow I couldn't shake the feeling L.Frank Baum was on a huge acid trip while writing this. That or the man just had an endless amount of pleasantly strange imagination. This is probably the reason why I didn't see the end twist coming at all. I was listening to the last chapter in bed last night and when the end conclusion came, I started laughing out loud (probably to the annoyance of my boyfriend who was trying to sleep). It would be a huge spoiler to say more about it, but weird and unexpected are two words to describe it. On to the next one in the series, [b:Ozma of Oz|60177|Ozma of Oz (Oz, #3)|L. Frank Baum|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1170538598s/60177.jpg|891152], which already makes me giggle because of what I know now.
Before I discovered Goodreads, I didn't even know there was a whole Oz-series. Now that I do, it gives me plenty of (audio) material to use before falling asleep. This second book in the series is technically a sequel to [b:The Wonderful Wizard of Oz|236093|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1)|L. Frank Baum|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398003737s/236093.jpg|1993810], which I love dearly. However, the story of The Marvelous Land of Oz feels totally different, even though it takes place in the same land and with some of the characters we already know from the Wizard of Oz.
Despite this being a children's book, I felt like a lot of the jokes were meant for an adult audience. Somehow I couldn't shake the feeling L.Frank Baum was on a huge acid trip while writing this. That or the man just had an endless amount of pleasantly strange imagination. This is probably the reason why I didn't see the end twist coming at all. I was listening to the last chapter in bed last night and when the end conclusion came, I started laughing out loud (probably to the annoyance of my boyfriend who was trying to sleep). It would be a huge spoiler to say more about it, but weird and unexpected are two words to describe it. On to the next one in the series, [b:Ozma of Oz|60177|Ozma of Oz (Oz, #3)|L. Frank Baum|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1170538598s/60177.jpg|891152], which already makes me giggle because of what I know now.
My husband surprised me by asking me to read him this book during a long road trip. We managed to finish in one sitting. Saw Horse is the best because he's like a sassy Eeyore! Also, spoiler, Tip is transgender.
What a fantastic book! Hilarious and visionary, this one stands above the original, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I cannot tell you how much laughing my kids did at the antics of this motley assortment of characters, Jack Pumpkinhead most of all. I couldn't even read many parts dealing with Jack without taking a moment to laugh and then compose myself. I think Baum wrote this one for adults.
My (our) favorite scene involves the Scarecrow (still not packing a whole lot of brain cells in his head) meeting Jack Pumpkinhead for the first time. They quickly decide that because they are from different lands they need an interpreter. Both readily agree and then proceed to just make a mockery of communication. I couldn't read that part I was laughing so hard.
Perhaps this novel's greatest strength is the unexpected feminist overtures; the female characters are strong in this one, and take charge of situations the males have repeatedly proven themselves incapable of handling. Quite a turn from the often-helpless Dorothy of the first novel of the series. Even the astonishing end reveals something to say about the power of the female. I did not expect that ending by any means and it must have been even more of a shocker when the book was written.
This one is nothing short of fantastic and fun. I'm glad I read it and will continue with the series.
My (our) favorite scene involves the Scarecrow (still not packing a whole lot of brain cells in his head) meeting Jack Pumpkinhead for the first time. They quickly decide that because they are from different lands they need an interpreter. Both readily agree and then proceed to just make a mockery of communication. I couldn't read that part I was laughing so hard.
Perhaps this novel's greatest strength is the unexpected feminist overtures; the female characters are strong in this one, and take charge of situations the males have repeatedly proven themselves incapable of handling. Quite a turn from the often-helpless Dorothy of the first novel of the series. Even the astonishing end reveals something to say about the power of the female. I did not expect that ending by any means and it must have been even more of a shocker when the book was written.
This one is nothing short of fantastic and fun. I'm glad I read it and will continue with the series.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I did not like this one as much as the first! The characters and world were still really fun but everything felt less intentional than the first book. The plot was more random and had a few aspects I wasn't fond of. I don't know if I liked the ending I need to reflect on it longer. I definitely wouldn't approve by today's standards. I do love how inventive his characters are I loved the new ones introduced in this book. Also the illustrations were still wonderful! First one was better but I still enjoyed reading this book!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated