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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
The movie is better. The book is fine, but the movie runs faster, is more streamlined, and has better character development.
I remember liking this book so much better as a child. As an adult, the pace seems too quick and the characters not as endearing as in the movie. I still want to give the other books in the series a try to see if they are better like I remember.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Strange and gritty.
I absolutely love Anne Hathaway reading this story to me, sad to say I never read this as a child but it was slightly different from the movie and the Broadway show of course. I do want to pick up the others of this series. I just wish she read them.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a nostalgic read for me so I'm having a really good time with it, but I must say, if it wasn't for the nostaligia I would probably rate this lower, because it is quite brutal which I neither remembered nor appreciate very much.
That said, it is still a magical experience to witness Dorothy's adventures in the magical world of Oz.
I especially like the characterisation of the group who all demonstrate that in reality they each already have what they seek (except for Dorothy, of course).
That said, it is still a magical experience to witness Dorothy's adventures in the magical world of Oz.
I especially like the characterisation of the group who all demonstrate that in reality they each already have what they seek (except for Dorothy, of course).
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
adventurous
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:
Yes
I hope someday to read this with my own children. It would be a fun family read.
3.5 stars
I've never read the actual book so in the continuing quest to read classics I decided to kick off April with this short, beloved story. It was imaginative and fun. Written in 1900 this story has been adapted for stage, film, and in other spin-offs (past and future). This story has inspired creativity for decades now. What is it about this adventure that prompts that? I have no answers for that but it is undeniable. What I didn't realize is that Baum ran with the land of Oz and authored 14 books total about the fantasy land. The other books get fairly good reviews so now I'm even more curious. The series seems to be the American "Chronicles of Narnia." ;) Anyway, Baum wrote a fun book that I enjoyed and if it was commentary on the political temperature at the time I chose not to even acknowledge that in my reading. :)
I've never read the actual book so in the continuing quest to read classics I decided to kick off April with this short, beloved story. It was imaginative and fun. Written in 1900 this story has been adapted for stage, film, and in other spin-offs (past and future). This story has inspired creativity for decades now. What is it about this adventure that prompts that? I have no answers for that but it is undeniable. What I didn't realize is that Baum ran with the land of Oz and authored 14 books total about the fantasy land. The other books get fairly good reviews so now I'm even more curious. The series seems to be the American "Chronicles of Narnia." ;) Anyway, Baum wrote a fun book that I enjoyed and if it was commentary on the political temperature at the time I chose not to even acknowledge that in my reading. :)