Denver Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Club |
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The (Wonderful) Wizard of Oz (1900) |
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| More book covers: The Wizard of Oz |
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Little Unicorn hardcover illustrated by Greg Hildebrandt abridged edition - 1988 |
Whitman illustrated hardcover illustrated by Erika Markling 210 pages - 1970 |
Del Rey illustrated paperback cover art by Michael Herring 219 pages - current |
| RATINGS:
How we each rated this book |
| Dan | 8 | Amy | 7 |
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10 Wow! Don't miss it 8-9 Highly recommended 7 Recommended 5-6 Mild recommendation 3-4 Take your chances 1-2 Below average; skip it 0 Get out the flamethrower! U Unfinishable or unreadable - Skipped or no rating given |
| Cheri | 8 | Barb | - | ||
| Aaron | 8 | Cynthia | 8 | ||
| Jackie | 8 | Ron | 6 | ||
| Christine | 8 | Mitch | - | ||
| Amelia | - |
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Aaron's Commentary
L. Frank Baum - The Wizard of Oz A fairy tale with distinctly American sensibilities, this novel was hugely influential from its first appearance, and remains wonderfully entertaining even a century later. L. Frank Baum was endlessly imaginative and inventive, and was consistently able to create engaging characters out of bizarre ideas. He also included plenty of food for thought for young readers and their parents, although in a less heavy-handed way than traditional fairy tales. My favorite lesson is the way the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion each believes he is lacking the one attribute he actually has in the greatest abundance: the Scarecrow is always figuring out clever ways to escape trouble, but thinks he has no brain; the Tin Woodman is tremendously compassionate, yet believes he has no heart; and the Cowardly Lion is fierce and determined, but convinced he has no courage. Could it be that there are people in Kansas who behave the very same way? What do you think? Your comments are welcome. Please send them to vanaaron@excite.com |