Baum, L. Frank
About the Author:
Lyman Frank Baum was an American writer.
AVERAGE REVIEW SCORE:
3 out of 5
(2 books)
TOP PICK:
The Land Of Oz
The Land Of Oz
The second Oz book, also known as 'The Marvellous Land Of Oz', sees the young boy Tip escape from the servitude of the witch Mombi and embark on a grand adventure gathering friends along the way such as Jack Pumpkinhead, the Saw-Horse, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman, the Highly Magnified Woggle-Bug and the Gump.
This is a whimsical series of escapades for the main characters which, somewhat naturally, lacks the cohesive plot of a book aimed at adults and, as such, can be a bit meandering to read at times. However, what this book has a great deal of, and where it far exceeds its more-famous predecessor, is its sense of humour. There are several genuinely funny scenes in the book and, if for nothing else, I'd recommend reading it for one in particular, where Jack Pumpkinhead and the Scarecrow politely discuss how they, being from different countries, must speak different languages and therefore can't understand a word the other is saying, deciding amongst themselves that they'll need an interpreter (who proceeds to pass complete fabrications between the two of them).
A curious note for this book is that it may or may not be very pro-feminism. On the one hand, it has an uprising by girls who are tired of having to cook and clean, choosing instead to seize the reins of power, but on the other the primary desire of these liberated women is to spend time on frivolities and in gathering shiny jewellery. Without knowing Baum's actual politics, I could never quite decide whether he was pro-feminist (at a time when the Suffragettes were very active) and just didn't understand women very well, or whether he was mocking the women's suffrage movement as being for silly little girls. Still, the book ends with a girl on the throne of the Emerald City, so that's an encouraging sign.
A final note I would make is of the upsetting discovery of the Tin Woodsman's actual name (it may have been in the first book, but I don't remember it); Nick Chopper. I feel like I'll never be able to enjoy the incredible Judy Garland movie quite the same again, knowing that she's skipping along with 'Nick Chopper'.
3 out of 5
The Wizard Of Oz
Also known as 'The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz', this book was the first set in the magical Land of Oz and was the basis of one of the most iconic movies of all time. The story, if you didn't know, follows a girl named Dorothy and her dog Toto as a cyclone transports them to the Land of Oz, where they must seek a way back to Kansas. On the way they encounter a Scarecrow, a Tin Woodsman and a Cowardly Lion, befriending all three.
Baum wrote this book purely with the intent of providing entertainment to children and, in the introduction included in my copy, the author clearly states that he never intended it to be a morality tale in the way of traditional fairy tales and that the 'heartaches and nightmares' have been left out. This, understandably, robs the book of its adult appeal and, to be honest, I only managed to enjoy it as much as I did because of the fond memories I have of watching the movie as a child.
There is, however, one element which shows a slightly more adult subtext and that is the true nature of the Wizard of Oz. There is something distinctly poignant about this hapless ruler who uses illusion and misdirection to maintain control of his people. My favourite illustration of this was the way in which Oz forces his people to wear green-lensed spectacles so that they won't realise that the Emerald City isn't really emerald.
Overall, this book is one to read to your kids, but not so much for your own enjoyment.
3 out of 5
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