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A review by dylanhenning
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It’s November 2024 when I’m writing this review.
I’ve had the L. Frank Baum Oz books for years and always meant to read them but either forgot about them or kept putting them off. With the hype for the upcoming Wicked adaptation it felt like time to read at least the first book.
Obviously over the years I’ve become very familiar with the Wizard of Oz story. Through the classic 1939 musical film starring Judy Garland and from countless other adaptations or homages in other media over the years. But even as familiar as this story is, I didn’t lose any of the wonder and magic the reader is intended to feel when following Dorothy and her friends on this adventure.
This book is clearly for children. That’s not to say adults can’t enjoy it or get anything from its whimsical characters and fantastical lands in the world of Oz. But by nature of being a children’s book there are some conveniences in the plot for the sake of simplicity. Our band of characters will come across a new challenge and instead of trying to problem solve it themselves L. Frank Baum has them conveniently breeze past it for the sake of moving on to the next part of the story. So for that I’m giving it 4.5 stars.
I’ve had the L. Frank Baum Oz books for years and always meant to read them but either forgot about them or kept putting them off. With the hype for the upcoming Wicked adaptation it felt like time to read at least the first book.
Obviously over the years I’ve become very familiar with the Wizard of Oz story. Through the classic 1939 musical film starring Judy Garland and from countless other adaptations or homages in other media over the years. But even as familiar as this story is, I didn’t lose any of the wonder and magic the reader is intended to feel when following Dorothy and her friends on this adventure.
This book is clearly for children. That’s not to say adults can’t enjoy it or get anything from its whimsical characters and fantastical lands in the world of Oz. But by nature of being a children’s book there are some conveniences in the plot for the sake of simplicity. Our band of characters will come across a new challenge and instead of trying to problem solve it themselves L. Frank Baum has them conveniently breeze past it for the sake of moving on to the next part of the story. So for that I’m giving it 4.5 stars.