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A review by lectrixnoctis
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
L. Frank Baum was an American writer who was born in Chittenango into a wealthy family wrote over sixty books. He is most known for "The Wizard of Oz", which he dedicated to his wife, a feminist author called Matilda and the thirteen other titles in the Oz series.
We follow the story of a young orphan girl called Dorothy who lives with her little dog Toto under Uncle Henry and Aunt Em in Kansas on a family farm. The couple is exceptionally hardworking but unsatisfied with their dull and grey lives. Toto is the best companion Dorothy and keeps her happy and cheerful.
The story begins when a cyclone is approaching, and the people were worried about its effect. Dorothy, Toto and Aunt Em were heading to the storm shelter as Toto jumps outdo of Dorothy's traps and hides. Aunt Em enters the shelter as Dorothy is trying to catch the dog. However, the house is carried away with the girl and the dog inside. The house finally lends, the pair were brought into the territory of the Munchkin in the Land of Oz. The crash happens to kill the Wicked Witch of the East, who was the cruel ruler of the Munchkins. Dorothy meets the Good Witch of the North, who tells her she should go to the Emerald City if she wants to go back to Kansas. The Witch kisses her forehead to protect her from harm. The girl follows the Yellow Brick Road with the new silver slippers from the now-deceased Witch. On her way there, she meets a Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Tin Woodman who wants a heart and a cowardly Lion who needs some courage. They all go to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz to grant their wishes.
The perspective on this book is from the third person point of view through an accompanying narrator. The themes of journeying, home and hidden strength are expressed through the narrator. The book was written in past tense and focused heavily on the plot.
The book has four main characters: Dorothy, who is a brilliant young girl. Although she is magically transported into this new land, she does find a way always to succeed. Even if she sometimes struggles, she is still caring for her newfound friends. Although the Scarecrow desperately wants to have some brains, he is, in fact, intelligent. This indicated that he only wishes the Wizard to give him a brain, although he is stuffed with straw. The Tin Woodman's main desire is to have the heart to marry the munchkin girl he once loved. He is extremely caring with his friends and quite protective of others. The Cowardly Lion wishes to finally live up to his high expectations of being the kind of the beats and have some courage. As well as the other ones he already has what he wishes. Lio would do anything to help his friends and is a great help. These aspects I talked about is the motif of the hidden strength.
I never read this book as a child, but I've learned to love it. I always enjoy how the characters interact with each other and do not see who they are. They do not need Oz to grant their wishes. They have to believe in themselves and see who they are. This novel is perfect for children as well as adults. I can only recommend this fantastic piece of writing.
We follow the story of a young orphan girl called Dorothy who lives with her little dog Toto under Uncle Henry and Aunt Em in Kansas on a family farm. The couple is exceptionally hardworking but unsatisfied with their dull and grey lives. Toto is the best companion Dorothy and keeps her happy and cheerful.
The story begins when a cyclone is approaching, and the people were worried about its effect. Dorothy, Toto and Aunt Em were heading to the storm shelter as Toto jumps outdo of Dorothy's traps and hides. Aunt Em enters the shelter as Dorothy is trying to catch the dog. However, the house is carried away with the girl and the dog inside. The house finally lends, the pair were brought into the territory of the Munchkin in the Land of Oz. The crash happens to kill the Wicked Witch of the East, who was the cruel ruler of the Munchkins. Dorothy meets the Good Witch of the North, who tells her she should go to the Emerald City if she wants to go back to Kansas. The Witch kisses her forehead to protect her from harm. The girl follows the Yellow Brick Road with the new silver slippers from the now-deceased Witch. On her way there, she meets a Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Tin Woodman who wants a heart and a cowardly Lion who needs some courage. They all go to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz to grant their wishes.
The perspective on this book is from the third person point of view through an accompanying narrator. The themes of journeying, home and hidden strength are expressed through the narrator. The book was written in past tense and focused heavily on the plot.
The book has four main characters: Dorothy, who is a brilliant young girl. Although she is magically transported into this new land, she does find a way always to succeed. Even if she sometimes struggles, she is still caring for her newfound friends. Although the Scarecrow desperately wants to have some brains, he is, in fact, intelligent. This indicated that he only wishes the Wizard to give him a brain, although he is stuffed with straw. The Tin Woodman's main desire is to have the heart to marry the munchkin girl he once loved. He is extremely caring with his friends and quite protective of others. The Cowardly Lion wishes to finally live up to his high expectations of being the kind of the beats and have some courage. As well as the other ones he already has what he wishes. Lio would do anything to help his friends and is a great help. These aspects I talked about is the motif of the hidden strength.
I never read this book as a child, but I've learned to love it. I always enjoy how the characters interact with each other and do not see who they are. They do not need Oz to grant their wishes. They have to believe in themselves and see who they are. This novel is perfect for children as well as adults. I can only recommend this fantastic piece of writing.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Violence