The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1) in Read the Movie

Aug 06, 2014 Henry Avila rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Dorothy (from Kansas wherever that is) lives with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry on the flat American prairie, the harsh Sun beating down from the gray sky making everything turn gray ... the gray grass, house, clothes and especially the people, animals are probably gray too might seem the least likely place that she visits that is real. No trees, brooks beautiful birds singing or anything colorful around the poor farm. But our adventures begin when a tornado lifts unlucky Dorothy , her dog Toto an Dorothy (from Kansas wherever that is) lives with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry on the flat American prairie, the harsh Sun beating down from the gray sky making everything turn gray ... the gray grass, house, clothes and especially the people, animals are probably gray too might seem the least likely place that she visits that is real. No trees, brooks beautiful birds singing or anything colorful around the poor farm. But our adventures begin when a tornado lifts unlucky Dorothy , her dog Toto and only friend, while inside their small one room house up into the swirling, whistling ominous black sky, scared Aunt Em in the cellar ( a dark hole in the ground under the floor) hiding and Uncle Henry outside taking care of the frightened farm animals. The little girl is all alone with her dog as the strong winds of the storm takes her higher and higher always going above and further from Dorothy's loved ones, which is the blood relative is strangely never stated . After countless hours pass she falls asleep on her bed. Awakening by a loud noise the house crashing down on the ground the next day terrifying Dorothy ... opening slowly the door she is stunned, all is beautiful... brilliant colors green grass a lovely stream gorgeous flowers, trees with delicious fruit hanging on their branches birds sweetly singing everywhere her eyes can see, blue skies. But weird quite small people are timidly coming towards Dorothy (they think she is a horrible , powerful witch) the juvenile feels uneasy looking fully grown , like the Munchkins yet still a little girl's size ...they welcome her to this wonderland. And thanking the girl for their freedom by killing the wicked Witch of the East whose body lies underneath the house. The pretty Witch of the North and is good also, unheard of (news spreads quickly in the Land of Oz) gives Dorothy the magical silver shoes of the dead sorceress. The farm girl wants to get back home to Kansas, asks directions nobody knows it but all tell Dorothy to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City where the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz, presumably lives and rules. Trouble is people never see the terrible wizard but he is the only one who can help Dorothy get back . On the long journey the young girl and Toto meet the brainless failure the Scarecrow, stuck on a pole the Tin Woodman rusting outside in a forest ( tin doesn't rust), the Cowardly Lion attacking the group on the road and afterwards crying, all join Dorothy on her impossible quest for a brain a heart and courage ( the joke of this story is, that every traveler already has them, even Dorothy's wish can be easily achieved). Wide ditches have to be jumped wild animals fought rivers crossed, ugly flying monkeys, bees, poisonous blue, red, yellow, white and purple flowers thick gloomy forests, strange people some unfriendly and not made of flesh ( the evil dreadful Witch of the West in her impenetrable, dismal castle but that is later), must be overcome to reach the fabulous Emerald City. They have a secret weapon Toto is not afraid of anything ... he can look behind the curtain. ...more

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Jul 04, 2013 Andrea Ika rated it it was amazing

Review : The Wizard of Oz (1900)

Frank Baum

Format : kindle edition
Rating ;

Blurb
A tornado brings Dorothy and her dog Toto to the fairyland of Oz. She desires to go home to Kansas. She goes on a journey to the Wizard of Oz to ask for help. She encounters friends who have their own desires that they think the Wizard of Oz can help them with. They have adventures on the way to Oz ,but when they get there the Wizard desires that they deal with the Wicked Witch first before he helps them. The Wicked W Review : The Wizard of Oz (1900)

Frank Baum

Format : kindle edition
Rating ;

Blurb
A tornado brings Dorothy and her dog Toto to the fairyland of Oz. She desires to go home to Kansas. She goes on a journey to the Wizard of Oz to ask for help. She encounters friends who have their own desires that they think the Wizard of Oz can help them with. They have adventures on the way to Oz ,but when they get there the Wizard desires that they deal with the Wicked Witch first before he helps them. The Wicked Witch temporarily gets the upper hand but is defeated. They return to the Wizard expecting him to keep his end of the bargain. The humbug wizard does his best, but Dorothy does not get home to Kansas by his methods. The Good Witch however steps in and assists Dorothy and Toto home.

My thought
A talking scarecrow, a cowardly lion, a good fairy and - through it all - sweet honest Dorothy and her loyal Toto. All set in a kingdom full of tiny kingdoms of surprises (china figurines, munchkins)... with one of the most beautiful capital cities in all children's fiction.
Dorothy thinks she is lost forever when a terrifying tornado crashes through Kansas and whisks her and her dog, Toto, far away to the magical land of Oz. To get home Dorothy must follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City and find the wonderfully mysterious Wizard of Oz. Together with her companions the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion whom she meets on the way, Dorothy embarks on a strange and enchanting adventure.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” is a classic story of enchantment that is appropriate for all ages. The descriptive text and the pictures within the book make reading a magical experience. At the start of each chapter, the text is enlarged and script-like which makes the reader feel as though they are about to embark on a magical experience. The picture contained black and white sketch drawing while Dorothy is in Kansas but then transitions to colored pictures once she enters Oz which makes the land feel like a magical place.
Baum has created a very unique world in the land of Oz. In the movie, we only get to know a few of the inhabitants and only superficially at that. Even though the book is fairly short, we actually get to know quite a few of the denizens of Oz and learn that this place is really very unique. The descriptions and adventures really make Oz a very compelling world. Not having read the book, I was a little skeptical that there would be enough material to warrant the ~dozen sequels. But now that I've read this first one and gotten a feel for Baum's style and creativity, I am really quite excited to read some of the other adventures of Oz and see what else he has in store.
Although I have seen the movie countless times this is the first time I have read the book. It was very enjoyable and I highly recommend it.
Quotes
“"I shall ask for brains instead of a heart; for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one." "I shall take the heart," returned the Tin Woodman; "for brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world."”
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