The Wonderful Wizard Of OZ

PLEASE DON’T QUICKLY COMMENT AND GO BECAUSE YOU MIGHT FIND THIS INTERESTING, JUST READ THE FIRST PARAGRAPH AND MAYBE THE LAST AT LEAST!

Before I start, I want you to rid your mind of all angelic faces of Judy garland and plastic sets from the film, because the book is completely different. It tells of extra, funnier, scarier and more enjoyable stories, which weave a far more intricate yet still classic and original plot. All the little details the film and recent musical could never capture as vividly and beautifully, are discovered with a growing appetite for the unknown, and all add a pinch of L. Frank Baum’s magic. The chase from the Kalidahs, (I will not give it away!) the meeting of the field mice (and their queen!) and the mood change of the flying monkeys give reason to believe that the books superiority is far greater that you could ever forethought. I found it a refreshing and revitalizing break from the usual teen supernatural thriller, which I have made a bit of an obsession in my life, and even if it doesn’t play to your music, it will surely improve your English skills (I’ve stolen several phrases for my own use…)! I will finish with the first sentence from Franks introduction, “ folk lore, legends, myths and fairy tales have followed children through the ages, for every healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvelous and manifestly unreal.” It rocked!!!

If you don’t know the basic story of the wizard of oz, no offence, but you are in my opinion deprived of basic life literacy learning! The essence of the book is far more than a story, but a blessed sacrament of English, that when received, can be taken over and over, each time furthering your joy and amazement. It can reach particles of your mind that have never been used or touched yet can glorify reading to its full extent. If you don’t know the plot, well the film goes something like this; Dorothy and Toto dropped by cyclone in oz. get RED SLIPPERS. Meet scarecrow, tin man and lion. Oz says they must kill witch before granting them they’re wishes. They kill witch and he grants. Flies of in balloon. Dorothy uses RED SLIPPERS to get home. However, the book goes more like this; dropped by cyclone in OZ. gets SILVER SLIPPERS (I know you cant believe it, neither could I! what happened to the ruby red we all thought it was?). Gets big party with munchkins. Follows yellow (at least that’s the same) brick road and meets lots more colorful and bright munchkins and animals. Meets scarecrow, tin man lion. Go off on adventure after adventure that never fails to excite the mind. Get to emerald city and stay with the gatekeeper and see the great sites. Oz tells to kill wicked witch then he will grant wishes. Long and hazardous journey through many lands. Eventually kills witch. Has a not so hazardous journey home. Oz grants wishes. Flies away in balloon. Dorothy and Toto use slippers to go home.

It’s basically much better than the film!

A main triumph of the book is the way the author portrays his characters. I would like to have spent a day in his mind when he wrote the book, swapping between totally different, but perfectly tuned mindsets. One moment an innocent yet remarkably clever young girl, intent on the well being of others, especially of her dog, and with a clear sense of right and wrong, then a second later a melancholy scarecrow with no brains. I loved this feature of the book and through it, Baum’s ability to provoke sympathy and empathy from the reader in any type of situation for his characters.

Part of the charm was in my opinion down to the in all respects beautiful wording of the book. I adore the old-fashioned phrasing and writing, for reasons yet unknown to myself, but it seems to add elegance to his writing, which is often hard to find if you look at the seemingly blunt and blocky structure of a lot of modern novels. His tone throughout the book reflects past times and sets you, if reluctantly, into a nostalgic and almost dream like set of mind.

I know I have written a lot, but I could write so much more! I truly believe in this story by L. Frank Baum, and remember, no one is too old for a book, but perhaps our tendency as children to truly understand and love stories like the wizard of OZ is fading-so read it while it will make the best impression on you! For all the reasons displayed in this blog I cannot hesitate to give the book 5 stars. There are even colour illastrations byW.W Den Slow, which adds to its beuty.It is a book to enjoy slowly and not rush, because if you do, the charm of this remarkable writer will be lost.

Thanks for reading and here are some links to discover more about the story and its writer:

For another opinion and outline: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonderful_Wizard_of_Oz

To find out about the film: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(1939_film)

More about the writer: http://www.online-literature.com/baum/

By the way, the picture is as profile because it would not load.