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A review by sraev19
Oz, the Complete Collection, Volume 4: Rinkitink in Oz; The Lost Princess of Oz; The Tin Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum
3.0
The fourth volume of the Oz series includes Rinkitink in Oz, The Lost Princess of Oz, and The Tin Woodman of Oz, and this time around, the collection is a mixed bag.
The volume starts off strong with Rinkitink in Oz. Baum again takes readers to a new kingdom with new peoples and magics to tell the tale of three unlikely heroes. This story could very well stand on its own outside Oz—and perhaps would be better if it had.
The characters are lively and fun with brash attitudes, and the tropical setting is fresh and invigorating. The antagonists prove to be dangerous, and with Ozma, Dorothy, and co out of sight, there are real risks to the heroes. Now there’s meaning and substance.
That is, until Baum drags this story back to Oz, vilifies a previously good character for no reason, and clears everything up with an easy out.(There is literally a chapter called “Dorothy to the Rescue.”)
From there, the volume continues heading downward. While The Lost Princess of Oz is based on an intriguing concept, its execution is lacklustre. Suspending disbelief was difficult for this story, as disappearing the strongest magical items and people in Oz is no small feat, and the reveal of how it was done doesn’t feel consistent with the rules of Oz.
Last, The Tin Woodman of Oz has good intentions at its heart, but ironically, Nick Chopper has little heart here. Misogynist attitudes prevail in this story as the Tin Woodman seeks an old love he’d unintentionally abandoned years ago and assumes she’d be eagerly waiting for his return. I’m glad to say that Baum does give the woman more agency than that, but it’s not much, and Chopper’s outdated views are off-putting.
Throughout this volume and the previous ones, it’s clear that Baum can create fun magical worlds filled with interesting characters and page-turning action. However, Oz and Dorothy and friends are feeling a bit tired and overdone. I’m looking forward to reaching the end of the yellow brick road in the final volume.
The volume starts off strong with Rinkitink in Oz. Baum again takes readers to a new kingdom with new peoples and magics to tell the tale of three unlikely heroes. This story could very well stand on its own outside Oz—and perhaps would be better if it had.
The characters are lively and fun with brash attitudes, and the tropical setting is fresh and invigorating. The antagonists prove to be dangerous, and with Ozma, Dorothy, and co out of sight, there are real risks to the heroes. Now there’s meaning and substance.
That is, until Baum drags this story back to Oz, vilifies a previously good character for no reason, and clears everything up with an easy out.
From there, the volume continues heading downward. While The Lost Princess of Oz is based on an intriguing concept, its execution is lacklustre. Suspending disbelief was difficult for this story, as disappearing the strongest magical items and people in Oz is no small feat, and the reveal of how it was done doesn’t feel consistent with the rules of Oz.
Last, The Tin Woodman of Oz has good intentions at its heart, but ironically, Nick Chopper has little heart here. Misogynist attitudes prevail in this story as the Tin Woodman seeks an old love he’d unintentionally abandoned years ago and assumes she’d be eagerly waiting for his return. I’m glad to say that Baum does give the woman more agency than that, but it’s not much, and Chopper’s outdated views are off-putting.
Throughout this volume and the previous ones, it’s clear that Baum can create fun magical worlds filled with interesting characters and page-turning action. However, Oz and Dorothy and friends are feeling a bit tired and overdone. I’m looking forward to reaching the end of the yellow brick road in the final volume.