6.06k reviews for:

The Wizard of Oz

L. Frank Baum

3.84 AVERAGE

vic_bun's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

beckytarbox's review against another edition

2.5

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

prolificliving's review against another edition

4.0

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I read “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum, an American classic, as a grown adult and out of pure curiosity.

One of the funnier and more outstanding phrases in the Wizard of Oz was: Dorothy is determined to go home and shall not be deterred by flying monkeys, bats, witches or other strange creatures. Confidence and determination in our actions is key to success, we must forge ahead no matter what and we should never give up.

How bittersweet is little Dorothy wishing to leave all the grandeur of the Land of Oz behind to go back home to very little in Kansas! The longing to go back home is no stranger to any of us. One’s heart’s desire is no further away than their own back yard? While it sounds sentimental and sweet, that has not been my heart’s desire. My own back yard has never had enough to fulfill my travel-loving, world-trotting, adventure-seeking heart.

However, if it is a return to a place where we grew up and formed our childhood memories, then who am I to disagree? I who would give anything to be able to set foot in the beautiful house and gardens that I grew up in Iran. I who reminisce about my childhood years and imagine a return home someday more often than I care to admit. A return to a place I formed those early memories of childhood is a bitter longing. For that reference and that only, I liked the Wizard of Oz.

colin_s's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-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

fictional_arsonist's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

spiderharms's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

thepumpkineater's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

monwins's review against another edition

4.0

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Not was I was expecting when compared to the film, but enjoyable none the less.

prmckinley's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous funny inspiring 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: No

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I enjoyed Baum’s fuller vision of the story of Dorothy and her adventures in Oz. As you can imagine, it’s very different from the MGM film, starting with the fact that Oz is not a dream but real.

zimm1349's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No