The Wizard of Oz (Tor Classics) by L. Frank Baum Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Wizard of Oz (Tor Classics)
Book Review: The Wizard of Oz: 100 Years of Magic
Summary: 5 Stars
It is unfortunate that most people know The Wizard of Oz only by the movie. To be perfectly honest, I found the movie bland compared to the book. For those who have read the book, many don't know that there was thirteen other Oz books written by L. Frank Baum. People who have read the first fourteen probably don't know that five other authors wrote more Oz books after Baum's death, making a total of forty books in the original series. The Wizard of Oz is a wonderful book for anyone no matter what age you are. Just remember to forget every thing you saw in the movie. Most people are surprise when the story doesn't end where the movie ends. When you,re finished the book try the other books in the series. I think you would enjoy them all.Book Review: Back when people cared about currency issues...
Summary: 4 Stars
It's amazing how little people know about this book. I've seen only one review note that this story is an economic parable, not just a fable for children, and the reviewer who mentioned it made it sound like this was a wacky, unrealistic modern interpretation of a simple children's tale. Not so!
Baum wrote this story as an analogy for the bimetallic standard, an issue that people actually cared about around the turn of the century but now hardly know ever existed, since we don't back our money with anything anymore. But there was a time, and The Wizzard of Oz (short for ounce, as in an ounce of gold, as in the issue of price-ratios) was written during that period, when the hottest issue on the political plate was that of the bimetallic standard--how and if it should be used. Baum, incidentally, was an enthusiastic political participant, was, in fact, probably present during William Jennings Bryan's famous "cross of gold" speech.
But no one knows this anymore. The film is much to blame. Replacing the SILVER shoes of the wicked witch of the east(ern financial establishment) with ruby slippers is inexcusable, even if people don't know or care about these issues now. The silver shoes (silver standard) on the yellow brick road (gold standard) is a vital immage. Ah well. Still a good story.
Book Review: Great Radio Theatre adaptation!
Summary: 5 Stars
It has been 100 years since 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' has been published. At the height of the anniversary comes this lively audio book.I feel that this 'radio theatre' adaptation did the book justice. Monterey Soundworks did a great job of transfering Baum's fantasy world to an audio book, giving listeners a new interpretation to the story, yet retaining some of MGM's inescapable influence.
The cast is wonderful, bringing new life to the characters, though the Cowardly Lion and Wicked Witch characterizations sound similar to the MGM Bert Lahr and Margaret Hamilton interpretations. In a world where the Judy Garland movie overshadows the original book, it is virtually impossible to not think of at least some of the MGM characters while listening to this adaptation.
The adaptation also includes many adventures in the book that are not found in the MGM film, such as the journey through the Dainty China Country, the Hammerheads, the Field Mice, etc. Other differences are that the color of Munchkin clothing is blue, an indication of that country's favorite color. The Wicked Witch of the West is melted not by setting the Scarecrow on fire, but after tripping Dorothy to get the silver shoes and making Dorothy angry (the 'Ruby Slippers' are an MGM creation). Glinda has a british accent, as does the witch of the North.
Listening made me realize just how much more to the original 'Wonderful Wizard' book there is, and that MGM cut out a huge chunk of adventures that kids can now enjoy listening to here.
I recommend this audio adaptation to any teacher, parent, or child who enjoys reading (or hearing) the magic of Baum's tale. It will transport you 'Over that Rainbow' to the world as Baum originally wrote it.
Book Review: Oz
Summary: 5 Stars
I think this book is wonderful. It helps to free your imagination, and experience adventures beyond your boring humdrum life. I would say that the book is not like the movie from many aspects. It has more adventures and yes a little more gore. But you can't expect it to be like the movie because it was writtem first and the movie producers decided to make The Wizard Of Oz a sort of Happy Go Lucky musical. The book is really wonderful and you can probably only appreciate it if you forget about the movie and just read it. Don't compare it to the movie. Just enjoy it.Book Review: The Wizard of Oz
Summary: 4 Stars
I thought that the Wizard of Oz was a totlly awsome book.very interesting. I was very surprised that it had alot of deaath and other things like that in it. But, the book was nothing like the movie. The mmmovie talks about Toto the dog getting lost, but in the book Toto stays with Dorthy the whole time. My favorite paart inthe Wizard of Oz book, was when the characters go talk to the Wizard one by one and the Wizaaard was always a different thing every time. Dorthy asked the Wizard to go back to Kasas and he said to her that she had toget ride of the Wicked Witch of the East. Then the lion goes in and he has to hellp and then the rest of the things go in and they all have to help them all had to help Dorthy. They had to do alot but they finlly all go back and say that they wanted what they asked for and he helped them all. But to find out if Dorthy goes back to Kansas, read thhis book. the only thing that iI didn't like about this book was that they shouldn't have put the lion in it. A lot of aadults and kids should read thhis book, they would love it like I did. So that is why I think you guys should read the wizard of Oz. THE END