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Oz #14
Glinda of Oz
Book 14 of L. Frank Baum's immortal OZ series, in which Ozma and Dorothy travel to an enchanted island to prevent an impending battle between the Skeezers and the Flatheads, but are instead imprisoned in the city just before the island is submerged.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1920
About the author
L. Frank Baum
2,945 books2,555 followersalso wrote under the names:
* Edith van Dyne,
* Floyd Akers,
* Schuyler Staunton,
* John Estes Cooke,
* Suzanne Metcalf,
* Laura Bancroft,
* Louis F. Baum,
* Captain Hugh Fitzgerald
Lyman Frank Baum, a known American, wrote especially The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) and 13 other stories, including Ozma of Oz (1907).
Lyman Frank Baum, an author, actor, and independent filmmaker alongside illustrator William Wallace Denslow best created the today simply most popular books in literature of children. A plethora of other works include sequels, nine other fantasies, and 55 novels in total, 82 short prose, more than two hundred poems, an unknown number of scripts, and many miscellaneous, and he made numerous attempts to bring his works to the stage and screen.
* Edith van Dyne,
* Floyd Akers,
* Schuyler Staunton,
* John Estes Cooke,
* Suzanne Metcalf,
* Laura Bancroft,
* Louis F. Baum,
* Captain Hugh Fitzgerald
Lyman Frank Baum, a known American, wrote especially The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) and 13 other stories, including Ozma of Oz (1907).
Lyman Frank Baum, an author, actor, and independent filmmaker alongside illustrator William Wallace Denslow best created the today simply most popular books in literature of children. A plethora of other works include sequels, nine other fantasies, and 55 novels in total, 82 short prose, more than two hundred poems, an unknown number of scripts, and many miscellaneous, and he made numerous attempts to bring his works to the stage and screen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 296 reviews
April 5, 2019
Glinda of Oz, L. Frank Baum's last addition to the Oz canon before he died, is filled with sorceresses, fairies, wizards, mechanical men, a glass cat, a patchwork girl and that quartet we've come to know and love: Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. It's a delightful story to finish up with. The plot is not diabolically difficult to follow by any means, but the resolution satisfies. The reader is only left wanting more in the best way possible.
December 11, 2018
Well, that's me done with the Oz series (I'm not really interested in reading the more recent books by authors other than Baum). I have to say that I've enjoyed revisiting Oz for the first time since my very distant childhood and this book was a nice one to end on, featuring as it does the vast majority of the characters from the other books in the series, albeit somewhat briefly in some cases.
This book features two of the minor nations within the Land of Oz going to war against each other and Ozma and Dorothy's attempt to bring peace to these countries. It's fair to say it does not go well at first and our two protagonists ending up needing to be rescued by their Emerald City friends.
My main complaint about this one is that what can and can't be accomplished by means of magic is pretty arbitrary; basically, if it suits the plot, magic can do it, if doesn't suit the plot, there's suddenly a random reason why magic can't do it. Slightly annoying, but a minor grumble really.
As I say, I've enjoyed revisiting this childhood favourite but, after twenty one books (f0urteen 'core' Oz books and seven that are tangentially related to Oz but take place elsewhere), I'm ready to move onto something very different now.
I just need to find a cyclone that's headed my way or some silver slippers...
This book features two of the minor nations within the Land of Oz going to war against each other and Ozma and Dorothy's attempt to bring peace to these countries. It's fair to say it does not go well at first and our two protagonists ending up needing to be rescued by their Emerald City friends.
My main complaint about this one is that what can and can't be accomplished by means of magic is pretty arbitrary; basically, if it suits the plot, magic can do it, if doesn't suit the plot, there's suddenly a random reason why magic can't do it. Slightly annoying, but a minor grumble really.
As I say, I've enjoyed revisiting this childhood favourite but, after twenty one books (f0urteen 'core' Oz books and seven that are tangentially related to Oz but take place elsewhere), I'm ready to move onto something very different now.
I just need to find a cyclone that's headed my way or some silver slippers...
September 24, 2022
Sorceress Settles Strife, Serendipitously Saves Skeezers
Two of Oz's multitudinous ethnic groups are having it out in the northern reaches of the Gillikin country. The Flatheads and Skeezers both suffer under the rule of tyrants who have usurped power. Glinda, Ozma and Dorothy learn of it and decide to sort things out. After all, Ozma can't have wars going on in the peaceful land of Oz. She and Dorothy head north. When they disappear, they are followed by the whole tribe of our beloved Oz characters. Invisible walls, mist maidens, purple-spider loving, contrary Yookoohoos with red hair, poison, a kid named Ervic, gold, silver, and bronze fish, and a sinkable island all play parts in this fast-moving story which is, in my opinion, second only to "Ozma of Oz" in the Baum series. The stately Glinda plays a starring role. It was his last book, unfortunately.
The characters are a little darker, the plot a bit more derived from the world of his time (WWI cast some influence on it no doubt). If you know Baum, you know it's going to turn out happily, but how will it happen? I have loved this story for over 60 years. It's good for any age if you want to escape from the headlines, death and taxes.
Two of Oz's multitudinous ethnic groups are having it out in the northern reaches of the Gillikin country. The Flatheads and Skeezers both suffer under the rule of tyrants who have usurped power. Glinda, Ozma and Dorothy learn of it and decide to sort things out. After all, Ozma can't have wars going on in the peaceful land of Oz. She and Dorothy head north. When they disappear, they are followed by the whole tribe of our beloved Oz characters. Invisible walls, mist maidens, purple-spider loving, contrary Yookoohoos with red hair, poison, a kid named Ervic, gold, silver, and bronze fish, and a sinkable island all play parts in this fast-moving story which is, in my opinion, second only to "Ozma of Oz" in the Baum series. The stately Glinda plays a starring role. It was his last book, unfortunately.
The characters are a little darker, the plot a bit more derived from the world of his time (WWI cast some influence on it no doubt). If you know Baum, you know it's going to turn out happily, but how will it happen? I have loved this story for over 60 years. It's good for any age if you want to escape from the headlines, death and taxes.
March 19, 2012
(4.5, but for Oz's sake I'll err up instead of down.)
I've read reviews that suggest that Glinda of Oz is the darkest, possibly because Baum knew he was dying at that point. I don't actually see explicit darkness, but I do think that there is an element of fear in this one that there isn't in the rest, that things might not actually turn out right. Of course, as an adult, it is clear to me that they're going to figure it out, but I remember as a kid liking Glinda of Oz less even while knowing that it was one of the better ones, because it felt - I think I would have described it as frustrating, but I think what I was really feeling was stress. It's stressful, because (for a kid) it's suspenseful. Your worried. They try everything they (and you) can think of, and Ozma and Dorothy and the island are still underwater, and Glinda, who you're accustomed to seeing swoop in to save the day with ease, is just as helpless as the rest of them.
It's also one of the more powerful books in the series, not just because the problem is hard to solve but because when they do solve it it takes all of them - Ozma, Glinda, Dorothy, the Skeezers, Red Reera the Yookoohoo (my favorite character in this one! She's in only two chapters, but they're by far my favorite chapters of the whole book!), and the three Adepts. Although Ozians are accustomed to discussing what to do, coming to agreement, and carrying out their decisions, there is nowhere where the teamwork is so clear and so participatory, where if even one person weren't there they would not have succeeded. Most of the time in the Oz books there are actually a lot of potential solutions, given the range of magic they have at their disposal, and everyone's personality kind of blends into everyone else's (although they certainly have defining traits and characteristics) in the sense that anyone could have thought of anything. It's not true in Glinda of Oz.
It did occur to me a while ago and re-occurred to me in this book that the Oz books are all a little imperialist. In Baum's world, Ozma rules Oz and all the Ozians by right of the fairy queen passed over Oz and decided to drop Ozma off and make her the ruler (at least that's the latest story; it used to be that Ozma's father used to rule Oz, and I believe in the Ruth Plumly Thompson books that becomes true again) - and this goes even for the people who live within the geographic boundaries of Oz (aka bounded by the Deadly Desert) but who have their own states and don't even know that Oz exists. It is actually presented as the duty of Ozma and her friends to tell people who don't know they're her subjects that in fact they are, and they owe her allegiance and obedience to her laws; and the "good" people always acquiesce with little fuss. Ozma takes the trip to the Skeezers and Flatheads because it is her duty to ensure peace in her realm even when she has no idea who these people are and what they're fighting about, and is pretty sure that they know equally little about her. Does this seem a little White-Man's-Burden-y to anyone else?
And then there's that last line - the last line of all of the Baum Oz books, and the only one with an explicit moral, and it really is funny because it's like the moral at the end of an Aesop's fable or something, and it's also kind of interesting and grim, especially given the context in which he wrote the book, and it also, now that the reminiscence of Kipling has occurred to me, strengthens that aspect a little creepily. All that in one tiny sentence! Here it is: "Which proves that it is always wise to do one's duty, however unpleasant that duty may seem to be."
Still, it's a strong book in a series I love, and I'm sad to see the end of the Baum ones (although as far as I remember Thompson is actually just as good, and I've already started hers). Good ol' Dorothy is up for anything, as usual - "Whatever happens it's going to be fun - 'cause all excitement is fun - and I wouldn't miss it for the world!" And this book is actually one of the best examples of Baum's seemingly casual but so wonderful habit of having lots of female characters, all of whom are active not just as adventurers but as problem solvers. Looking over whom I mentioned as important to the resolution of the story, they're all but one (Ervic the Skeezer) female, and it is never never commented on. The prominence and complexity and strength of female characters in the Oz books really for me adds up to so much more than do his flaws, that I am willing to forgive him almost anything, and it's not just because of sentiment over books from my youth.
I've read reviews that suggest that Glinda of Oz is the darkest, possibly because Baum knew he was dying at that point. I don't actually see explicit darkness, but I do think that there is an element of fear in this one that there isn't in the rest, that things might not actually turn out right. Of course, as an adult, it is clear to me that they're going to figure it out, but I remember as a kid liking Glinda of Oz less even while knowing that it was one of the better ones, because it felt - I think I would have described it as frustrating, but I think what I was really feeling was stress. It's stressful, because (for a kid) it's suspenseful. Your worried. They try everything they (and you) can think of, and Ozma and Dorothy and the island are still underwater, and Glinda, who you're accustomed to seeing swoop in to save the day with ease, is just as helpless as the rest of them.
It's also one of the more powerful books in the series, not just because the problem is hard to solve but because when they do solve it it takes all of them - Ozma, Glinda, Dorothy, the Skeezers, Red Reera the Yookoohoo (my favorite character in this one! She's in only two chapters, but they're by far my favorite chapters of the whole book!), and the three Adepts. Although Ozians are accustomed to discussing what to do, coming to agreement, and carrying out their decisions, there is nowhere where the teamwork is so clear and so participatory, where if even one person weren't there they would not have succeeded. Most of the time in the Oz books there are actually a lot of potential solutions, given the range of magic they have at their disposal, and everyone's personality kind of blends into everyone else's (although they certainly have defining traits and characteristics) in the sense that anyone could have thought of anything. It's not true in Glinda of Oz.
It did occur to me a while ago and re-occurred to me in this book that the Oz books are all a little imperialist. In Baum's world, Ozma rules Oz and all the Ozians by right of the fairy queen passed over Oz and decided to drop Ozma off and make her the ruler (at least that's the latest story; it used to be that Ozma's father used to rule Oz, and I believe in the Ruth Plumly Thompson books that becomes true again) - and this goes even for the people who live within the geographic boundaries of Oz (aka bounded by the Deadly Desert) but who have their own states and don't even know that Oz exists. It is actually presented as the duty of Ozma and her friends to tell people who don't know they're her subjects that in fact they are, and they owe her allegiance and obedience to her laws; and the "good" people always acquiesce with little fuss. Ozma takes the trip to the Skeezers and Flatheads because it is her duty to ensure peace in her realm even when she has no idea who these people are and what they're fighting about, and is pretty sure that they know equally little about her. Does this seem a little White-Man's-Burden-y to anyone else?
And then there's that last line - the last line of all of the Baum Oz books, and the only one with an explicit moral, and it really is funny because it's like the moral at the end of an Aesop's fable or something, and it's also kind of interesting and grim, especially given the context in which he wrote the book, and it also, now that the reminiscence of Kipling has occurred to me, strengthens that aspect a little creepily. All that in one tiny sentence! Here it is: "Which proves that it is always wise to do one's duty, however unpleasant that duty may seem to be."
Still, it's a strong book in a series I love, and I'm sad to see the end of the Baum ones (although as far as I remember Thompson is actually just as good, and I've already started hers). Good ol' Dorothy is up for anything, as usual - "Whatever happens it's going to be fun - 'cause all excitement is fun - and I wouldn't miss it for the world!" And this book is actually one of the best examples of Baum's seemingly casual but so wonderful habit of having lots of female characters, all of whom are active not just as adventurers but as problem solvers. Looking over whom I mentioned as important to the resolution of the story, they're all but one (Ervic the Skeezer) female, and it is never never commented on. The prominence and complexity and strength of female characters in the Oz books really for me adds up to so much more than do his flaws, that I am willing to forgive him almost anything, and it's not just because of sentiment over books from my youth.
May 15, 2017
I had the pleasure of seeing and holding this original printed edition in person. This book is beautiful and, notably, it is the last in the series to be written by Lyman, himself. It is a fantasy story about a magical world with all the happy endings one could hope for.
July 28, 2021
Baum ended his Oz series on a strong note. Many people say that this is the darkest Oz book. I would disagree - "dark" is not the word to describe this story. "Serious," perhaps, and it had a stronger moral message than some others. It also had an actual plot, and the book followed a logical structure, with set-up, complications, rising action, climax, resolution. So many of Baum's books are plotless fairy-land wanderings, so I was pleased with the structure of this story.
Glinda and Ozma are the two main protagonists in this tale, and the story gives both of them a chance to grow as complex characters. Their weaknesses as well as their strengths are showcased, which I think helps give this story its power and appeal. Even the almighty Glinda has weaknesses, but in the end she still prevails.
The overall moral of the story is "don't fight with your neighbors." But I think that Glinda and Ozma's grace under pressure, their deductive reasoning, and willingness to admit weakness without falling apart is another more subtle lesson. I think that this book would be just as appealing to children as the other lighter, more "fluffy" Oz stories.
Glinda and Ozma are the two main protagonists in this tale, and the story gives both of them a chance to grow as complex characters. Their weaknesses as well as their strengths are showcased, which I think helps give this story its power and appeal. Even the almighty Glinda has weaknesses, but in the end she still prevails.
The overall moral of the story is "don't fight with your neighbors." But I think that Glinda and Ozma's grace under pressure, their deductive reasoning, and willingness to admit weakness without falling apart is another more subtle lesson. I think that this book would be just as appealing to children as the other lighter, more "fluffy" Oz stories.
December 25, 2022
Oz é um dos mundos encantados da literatura infantil, um dos meus livros de conforto preferidos para ler no Natal.
Neste volume Dorothy e Ozma são feitas prisioneiras por tribos distantes do reino, e cabe à feiticeira Glinda juntamente com as outras queridas personages salvá-las. Os capítulos sobre as raparigas transformadas em peixes foram os mais encantadores.
Neste volume Dorothy e Ozma são feitas prisioneiras por tribos distantes do reino, e cabe à feiticeira Glinda juntamente com as outras queridas personages salvá-las. Os capítulos sobre as raparigas transformadas em peixes foram os mais encantadores.
July 20, 2019
A decent addition to the Oz canon, with some thinly-veiled lessons for the adults in the audience about the idiocy of war. Characters are not particularly well-drawn or engaging, and the plot isn't very compelling, but some of the magic is fun. The Skeezers' willingness to poison an entire lake on the off chance of getting three fish is a little disturbing. But hey, it's Oz, and it's nice to go back for visit.
July 16, 2019
It's the final installment of Baum's original Oz series. We spend it with some of our favorite characters as they journey through the Land of Oz to meet new peoples, the likes of which we've never seen before.
I like how this plot features a singular, tangible problem to solve. It's memorable too -- although for the big finale, I wish it was something a bit more all-inclusive. The oncoming fight between the Skeezers and Flatheads is actually kind of funny to watch it play out.
My biggest complaint is... Why does the book have to scare kids again with the threat that while nobody can die in the Land of Oz, you CAN experience a living nightmare "death" of being chopped to pieces and scattered abroad (while continually living forever?!) Talk about gruesome. And this same potential hazard has been mentioned in previous books too.
Moving on...
Overall? I did really like the book. And I'm glad I stuck with the series to the end. While it sometimes is cheesy, or has weird plot elements, Mr. Baum sure knew how to create a magical world beyond imagination.
I like how this plot features a singular, tangible problem to solve. It's memorable too -- although for the big finale, I wish it was something a bit more all-inclusive. The oncoming fight between the Skeezers and Flatheads is actually kind of funny to watch it play out.
My biggest complaint is... Why does the book have to scare kids again with the threat that while nobody can die in the Land of Oz, you CAN experience a living nightmare "death" of being chopped to pieces and scattered abroad (while continually living forever?!) Talk about gruesome. And this same potential hazard has been mentioned in previous books too.
Moving on...
Overall? I did really like the book. And I'm glad I stuck with the series to the end. While it sometimes is cheesy, or has weird plot elements, Mr. Baum sure knew how to create a magical world beyond imagination.
November 16, 2018
I found Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum purely by chance. I honestly had no idea that Baum had written so many books based on his wondrous world of Oz. Glinda was first published posthumously in 1920. I'm now trying to find other books in the series.
In this book, Glinda, while reading her Great Book, discovers troubles between the Flatheads and the Skeezers in northern Oz. She has never heard of either of these people but she worries that people might be harmed in a war. She goes to the Emerald City to consult with Princess Ozma, the ruler of Oz. Ozma decides to go to the north, taking along Dorothy, to see what she can do.
This begins a quick but grand adventure for the two friends, which will eventually involve all of her other friends, and quite an assortment of strange but wonderful beings they are; Glinda, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, but also Tik Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead, and so many others.
Ozma and Dorothy are taken prisoner by the wicked Queen of the Skeezers and her friends have to come and try to save them. And there is your story. Of course, it's a children's fantasy but very entertaining, an easy, comforting and enjoyable read. Put away your troubles for a day or two and enjoy this excellent story and then find the other Oz books.. (4 stars)
In this book, Glinda, while reading her Great Book, discovers troubles between the Flatheads and the Skeezers in northern Oz. She has never heard of either of these people but she worries that people might be harmed in a war. She goes to the Emerald City to consult with Princess Ozma, the ruler of Oz. Ozma decides to go to the north, taking along Dorothy, to see what she can do.
This begins a quick but grand adventure for the two friends, which will eventually involve all of her other friends, and quite an assortment of strange but wonderful beings they are; Glinda, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, but also Tik Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead, and so many others.
Ozma and Dorothy are taken prisoner by the wicked Queen of the Skeezers and her friends have to come and try to save them. And there is your story. Of course, it's a children's fantasy but very entertaining, an easy, comforting and enjoyable read. Put away your troubles for a day or two and enjoy this excellent story and then find the other Oz books.. (4 stars)
February 25, 2013
I haven’t read an Oz book since my Children’s Literature class back in my early college days. The Wizard of Oz really came to life when I realized that within that well-known children���s story was a political statement on bimetallism (ie. “getting off the gold standard”). Okay, I know that Baum denied it but, come on, silver slippers and yellow brick road—emerald city (ie. greenbacks)! If it wasn’t deliberately written to advocate bimetallism, it’s one of the happiest coincidences in literature.
Anyway, Glinda of Oz came onto my radar because of the new Oz movie coming out and I wondered what kind of political statement it might make. Regardless, I plunged into this piece of children’s literature with the same attitude as Dorothy when she wishes to accompany Queen Ozma on a trip to moderate peace between the Flatheads and the Skeezers. Dorothy says, “Whatever happens it’s going to be fun—‘cause all excitement is fun—and I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” (p. 15)
Typing of bimetallism, check out the description of the Flatheads: “Small gold, silver, tin, and iron discs, about the size of pennies, and very thin, were cleverly wired together and made to form knee trousers and jackets for the men and skirts and waists for the women.” (p. 41) But it seems there was a feud between the Flatheads and Skeezers that matched the Hatfields and the McCoys. Neither Flathead nor Skeezer civilization is being run by “legitimate” authority. In this land of magic, it was possible for ambitious leaders to overthrow the legitimate authority by means of dark magic. Hence, you already know that Glinda, the good witch from the original story, is going to be vital in solving the situation.
The head of the Skeezers stole power from the “three Adepts” but the citizens privately complain, “…she has used them as the three Adepts never would have done.” Would this sentiment, originally published in 1920, possibly be a commentary on the inhuman weapons of war used in The Great War a few years previously? Between the use of magic and technology with magic, it certainly seems as if Baum is writing a parable on the futility and atrocities of warfare. Of course, if you don’t believe the original story was about bimetallism, you’re sure not going to buy into a pacifist parable, are you?
I think Glinda of Oz is remarkably imaginative. The characters are, at times, rather interchangeable and lacking in depth or complexity, but the story and the environment are worth exploring. I’m glad I did explore it and it underscores the fact that my book reviews in college barely scratched the surface of even late 19th century and early 20th children’s literature. Every couple of months, I find a juvenile novel from the 20th century (they weren’t really “young adult” in the early 20th century) with Tom Swift, Dave Dawson, The Sky Detectives, The Hardy Boys, and the Boy Detectives and I have to read them. I think the occasional Oz book could become part of that nostalgia snack reading, as well.
Anyway, Glinda of Oz came onto my radar because of the new Oz movie coming out and I wondered what kind of political statement it might make. Regardless, I plunged into this piece of children’s literature with the same attitude as Dorothy when she wishes to accompany Queen Ozma on a trip to moderate peace between the Flatheads and the Skeezers. Dorothy says, “Whatever happens it’s going to be fun—‘cause all excitement is fun—and I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” (p. 15)
Typing of bimetallism, check out the description of the Flatheads: “Small gold, silver, tin, and iron discs, about the size of pennies, and very thin, were cleverly wired together and made to form knee trousers and jackets for the men and skirts and waists for the women.” (p. 41) But it seems there was a feud between the Flatheads and Skeezers that matched the Hatfields and the McCoys. Neither Flathead nor Skeezer civilization is being run by “legitimate” authority. In this land of magic, it was possible for ambitious leaders to overthrow the legitimate authority by means of dark magic. Hence, you already know that Glinda, the good witch from the original story, is going to be vital in solving the situation.
The head of the Skeezers stole power from the “three Adepts” but the citizens privately complain, “…she has used them as the three Adepts never would have done.” Would this sentiment, originally published in 1920, possibly be a commentary on the inhuman weapons of war used in The Great War a few years previously? Between the use of magic and technology with magic, it certainly seems as if Baum is writing a parable on the futility and atrocities of warfare. Of course, if you don’t believe the original story was about bimetallism, you’re sure not going to buy into a pacifist parable, are you?
I think Glinda of Oz is remarkably imaginative. The characters are, at times, rather interchangeable and lacking in depth or complexity, but the story and the environment are worth exploring. I’m glad I did explore it and it underscores the fact that my book reviews in college barely scratched the surface of even late 19th century and early 20th children’s literature. Every couple of months, I find a juvenile novel from the 20th century (they weren’t really “young adult” in the early 20th century) with Tom Swift, Dave Dawson, The Sky Detectives, The Hardy Boys, and the Boy Detectives and I have to read them. I think the occasional Oz book could become part of that nostalgia snack reading, as well.
April 4, 2017
This final book of the Oz series by L. Fran Baum is often categorized as the “darkest” of the original Oz books but I really didn’t find it so. I did see it as a little more complex than most of the others but the fact that the author knew he was dying at the time he wrote it doesn’t contribute to any darkness as far as I can see.
In essence, this novel is like most of the others in the series. Several main characters including Dorothy and Ozma, set out to a remote area of Oz because they have found out that somebody hasn’t recognized that Ozma is the rightful ruler of all Oz and they are not following the laws of the land. (Yes, Oz, my friends is an Imperialist land). In fact, the Skeezers and the Flatheads are actually engaged in war, believe it or not, which is most definitely a violation of the rules.
Ozma and Dorothy get trapped and it’s up to their friends, including Glinda to rescue them. Here we do see that Baum likely knew this was his last story because he has nearly all of the major characters from past books make a cameo appearance as they gather to help plan the rescue. This was great to see. Not only familiar recurring characters such as the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, the Tin Woodman (Nick Chopper), The Wizard of Oz, Jack Pumpkinhead, Scraps (The Patchwork Girl), etc. but we also see some of the lesser “main” characters that round out Ozma’s Counsellors like Shaggy Man, Tik-Tok, Cap’n Bill, H.M. Wogglebug, and even Dorothy’s Uncle Henry.
While the first part of this book was straightforward, I did feel that the major middle section lost its cohesion and sort of fell apart. Solving the predicament of how to rescue Dorothy and Ozma was much more involved than the usual Oz story and required teamwork, lots of ideas, and experimentation. Perhaps this is why some regard this as a “darker” Oz tale. The outcome is not as assured as usual and at one point everybody, including the infallible Glinda feels as if they have exhausted all possibilities. For a child, I suppose, this could be stressful. The final two short chapters were wrapped up at warp speed; I could almost sense Baum’s effort to finish before he drew his last breath.
Obviously, there are numerous further adventures in Oz, written by many other authors. I’ve heard many of them are well worth the read, especially those by Baum’s immediate successor, Ruth Plumly Thompson, but alas, I have no plans to pursue them at this time. My goal was to read all of the originals and now that I have done so, I will move on to other things, always remembering my own adventures in Oz fondly.
In essence, this novel is like most of the others in the series. Several main characters including Dorothy and Ozma, set out to a remote area of Oz because they have found out that somebody hasn’t recognized that Ozma is the rightful ruler of all Oz and they are not following the laws of the land. (Yes, Oz, my friends is an Imperialist land). In fact, the Skeezers and the Flatheads are actually engaged in war, believe it or not, which is most definitely a violation of the rules.
Ozma and Dorothy get trapped and it’s up to their friends, including Glinda to rescue them. Here we do see that Baum likely knew this was his last story because he has nearly all of the major characters from past books make a cameo appearance as they gather to help plan the rescue. This was great to see. Not only familiar recurring characters such as the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, the Tin Woodman (Nick Chopper), The Wizard of Oz, Jack Pumpkinhead, Scraps (The Patchwork Girl), etc. but we also see some of the lesser “main” characters that round out Ozma’s Counsellors like Shaggy Man, Tik-Tok, Cap’n Bill, H.M. Wogglebug, and even Dorothy’s Uncle Henry.
While the first part of this book was straightforward, I did feel that the major middle section lost its cohesion and sort of fell apart. Solving the predicament of how to rescue Dorothy and Ozma was much more involved than the usual Oz story and required teamwork, lots of ideas, and experimentation. Perhaps this is why some regard this as a “darker” Oz tale. The outcome is not as assured as usual and at one point everybody, including the infallible Glinda feels as if they have exhausted all possibilities. For a child, I suppose, this could be stressful. The final two short chapters were wrapped up at warp speed; I could almost sense Baum’s effort to finish before he drew his last breath.
Obviously, there are numerous further adventures in Oz, written by many other authors. I’ve heard many of them are well worth the read, especially those by Baum’s immediate successor, Ruth Plumly Thompson, but alas, I have no plans to pursue them at this time. My goal was to read all of the originals and now that I have done so, I will move on to other things, always remembering my own adventures in Oz fondly.
July 31, 2017
Good and readable and interesting, but not anything all that special. It would definitely be worth reading aloud. Not sure that the series had enough of a trajectory for me, considering this was Baum's last book. He never ran out of good ideas though. And this one is a bit less of a travelogue. 3.5 of 5.
January 24, 2010
(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com:]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted here illegally. This review covers all 14 of the Baum Oz books, which is why it's found on all 14 book pages here.)
I think it's fairly safe by now to assume that nearly everyone in Western society is familiar with The Wizard of Oz, most of us because of the classic 1939 movie adaptation; and many realize as well that author L. Frank Baum ended up penning a whole series of sequels, because of the original book's astounding success back at the turn of the 20th century when it was first published -- 13 sequels altogether, before his death in 1919, which after the movie's success twenty years later became a literal merchandising empire, spawning hundreds more official sequels by various authors and hundreds more unofficial ones once the characters moved into the public domain. And like many others, I've always been interested in what these 14 "canonical" Oz books have to say; and that's why I decided this winter to sit down and read them all in a row for the first time, easy to do because of them being available for free at both Project Gutenberg and the email subscription service DailyLit (which is how I myself read them, and in fact is how I read many of the older books you see reviewed here; I'm a big fan of theirs, and highly recommend them).
But of course, to even approach these books with the right mindset, it's important to understand that like so many other one-hit-wonders, Baum was not only eluded by success in most of his other endeavors but was an active failure at them -- in the 1870s, for example, he unsuccessfully tried his hand at breeding fancy poultry (a national fad at the time), then in the 1880s opened his own theatre and became one of the first-ever Americans to produce modern-style stage musicals, apparently a little too ahead of its time, then in the 1890s moved to the Dakota Territory and opened a dry-goods store that eventually failed, as well as starting a newspaper that folded too. So it was sort of a case of random lightning in a bottle when he decided in the late 1890s to try his hand at children's literature, and ended up with his very first title being the most popular kid's book in America for two years straight, and no surprise that Baum then spent the rest of his life desperately trying to figure out how to bottle that lightning again. Because now that I've read it myself, I can confirm that the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz is astonishingly great, a sort of miraculous combination of traits that makes for an almost perfect children's story; and although most of it follows the same storyline seen in the '39 movie, there are also significant differences, making it worth your while to sit and read the book version if you have the interest. (And by the way, for some really interesting reading, check out the academic analysis that was done of this book in the 1960s, arguing that most of its details symbolically correspond almost exactly to various political and economic issues of the late 1800s, including the yellow brick road representing the much-discussed gold standard of that age, the scarecrow representing the then-hot Populist Party, Toto representing the teetotaler [prohibitionist:] movement, and a lot more.)
But of course, there are a couple of details about this book that have been forgotten over the decades too, which also help explain its record-shattering success -- it was an unusually lavish book for its time, for example, with two-toned illustrations on every page and several full-color plates, and let's also not forget that Baum himself mounted a Broadway-style musical of Oz just two years after the book was published, a huge hit which toured nationally for a decade and that was even more insanely popular than the book itself (including making national stars out of vaudeville performers Fred Stone and David Montgomery, playing the Scarecrow and Tin Man; the stage production left out the Cowardly Lion altogether, which is why he is also barely seen in any of the 13 canonical sequels). And so that's why when Baum attempted starting up other fantasy series in the wake of Oz's success, hoping to turn all of them into lucrative franchises like the original, the audience mostly responded with yawns; and that's why Baum eventually went back to writing more and more Oz books as the 20th century continued, because by now the strength of the brand far outweighed the relative writing skills of Baum when it came to any particular volume.
That's why, at least to adults, it's perhaps actually the introductions to each book that are the most fascinating thing about them; because to be frank, most of the books follow a pretty familiar formula, with a danger-filled quest involving various kooky characters that is usually finished about two-thirds of the way through, followed by a massive parade or party that lets Baum trot out the growing number of main characters added to this universe with each title. (And by the way, prepare yourself for Baum's unending love of the deus-ex-machina plot device; over half the books end along the lines of, "And then our heroes took possession of a super-duper magical device, which they waved in the air and all their troubles went away.") In fact, for those who don't know, that's why the official map of Oz and its surrounding lands eventually grew so large, because Baum still hadn't given up on his dream of having a whole series of kid-lit cash cows out there generating revenue for him, and so would use many of these Oz sequels to introduce entirely new casts of characters who live in entirely new lands, "just over the mountains" or "just past the desert" of Oz itself. By the end of the original 14 books, in fact, Baum had built up a virtual aristocracy of licensable characters, all of whom would have to be dragged out for a cameo at some point in each book to remind the audience of their existence -- not just the cast of the original book and '39 movie but also various other princesses like Ozma and Betsy Bobbin, boy characters like Ojo the Unlucky and Button Bright, adults who help them like the Shaggy Man, Cap'n Bill and Ugu the Shoemaker, and of course a whole litany of quirky fantastical sidekicks, including but not limited to Tik-Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead, the Great Jinjin, Billina the Angry Hen, Scraps the Patchwork Girl, and Polychrome the Rainbow Fairy. Whew! And so did the Great Oz Merchandising Experiment keep limping along for two decades, with each sequel selling less and less and getting lazier and lazier (for example, the tenth book in the series, 1916's Rinkitink in Oz, was actually a non-Oz book written a decade previous, published almost unchanged except for a hasty final chapter full of Oz regulars slapped onto the end); and thus did Baum's bad luck in business come back with a vengeance as well, with three more Broadway productions that were all flops, and even the establishment of a film production company in 1914 that eventually went bankrupt.
You can see the progression of all this reflected in Baum's first-person introductions to each book, which like I said is why they might be the most fascinating parts of all for adult readers -- how in the first sequel, for example, he expresses legitimately gleeful surprise and joy at how passionate his fans were, and how thousands of children had literally written to him out of the blue demanding more Oz stories, while with each subsequent sequel his tone becomes more and more snarky, ala "Well, dear and wonderful children, you've yet again demanded another Oz book like the sheep you are, so here it is, you screeching little monsters." In fact, in book six of the series, 1910's The Emerald City of Oz, Baum flat-out states that it's going to be the very last Oz book, and it's no coincidence that many fans actually consider this one to be the best of the original fourteen, because of Baum's extra attention to and enthusiasm for this particular storyline, thinking as he erroneously did that it would be the grand finale of the entire Oz universe; but after his later financial failures forced him back into the Oz business again, the gloves finally come off in his introductions, with most of the rest sounding to today's ears something like, "Well, okay, here again is the sugary teat you all apparently can't get enough of suckling, you infuriating little animals, so open wide and take your medicine." Now, of course, you shouldn't feel too bad for Baum; by the last years of his life, his combined books and plays were generating for him in today's terms roughly a quarter-million dollars a year just in personal royalties.
So all in all, an experience I'm glad I had, reading all fourteen original Oz books in a row, but not something I'd recommend to others; instead, maybe better just to read the first, then skip to the sixth, then skip straight to the 14th, 1920's Glinda of Oz, because of its unusual darkness (probably caused, many scholars agree, by Baum knowing that he was near death). As with many authors I've looked at here at CCLaP, history seems to have correctly adjusted itself in Baum's case, with most of his books now rightfully falling into the obscurity they deserve, even while his one true masterpiece is still rightfully recognized as such.
I think it's fairly safe by now to assume that nearly everyone in Western society is familiar with The Wizard of Oz, most of us because of the classic 1939 movie adaptation; and many realize as well that author L. Frank Baum ended up penning a whole series of sequels, because of the original book's astounding success back at the turn of the 20th century when it was first published -- 13 sequels altogether, before his death in 1919, which after the movie's success twenty years later became a literal merchandising empire, spawning hundreds more official sequels by various authors and hundreds more unofficial ones once the characters moved into the public domain. And like many others, I've always been interested in what these 14 "canonical" Oz books have to say; and that's why I decided this winter to sit down and read them all in a row for the first time, easy to do because of them being available for free at both Project Gutenberg and the email subscription service DailyLit (which is how I myself read them, and in fact is how I read many of the older books you see reviewed here; I'm a big fan of theirs, and highly recommend them).
But of course, to even approach these books with the right mindset, it's important to understand that like so many other one-hit-wonders, Baum was not only eluded by success in most of his other endeavors but was an active failure at them -- in the 1870s, for example, he unsuccessfully tried his hand at breeding fancy poultry (a national fad at the time), then in the 1880s opened his own theatre and became one of the first-ever Americans to produce modern-style stage musicals, apparently a little too ahead of its time, then in the 1890s moved to the Dakota Territory and opened a dry-goods store that eventually failed, as well as starting a newspaper that folded too. So it was sort of a case of random lightning in a bottle when he decided in the late 1890s to try his hand at children's literature, and ended up with his very first title being the most popular kid's book in America for two years straight, and no surprise that Baum then spent the rest of his life desperately trying to figure out how to bottle that lightning again. Because now that I've read it myself, I can confirm that the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz is astonishingly great, a sort of miraculous combination of traits that makes for an almost perfect children's story; and although most of it follows the same storyline seen in the '39 movie, there are also significant differences, making it worth your while to sit and read the book version if you have the interest. (And by the way, for some really interesting reading, check out the academic analysis that was done of this book in the 1960s, arguing that most of its details symbolically correspond almost exactly to various political and economic issues of the late 1800s, including the yellow brick road representing the much-discussed gold standard of that age, the scarecrow representing the then-hot Populist Party, Toto representing the teetotaler [prohibitionist:] movement, and a lot more.)
But of course, there are a couple of details about this book that have been forgotten over the decades too, which also help explain its record-shattering success -- it was an unusually lavish book for its time, for example, with two-toned illustrations on every page and several full-color plates, and let's also not forget that Baum himself mounted a Broadway-style musical of Oz just two years after the book was published, a huge hit which toured nationally for a decade and that was even more insanely popular than the book itself (including making national stars out of vaudeville performers Fred Stone and David Montgomery, playing the Scarecrow and Tin Man; the stage production left out the Cowardly Lion altogether, which is why he is also barely seen in any of the 13 canonical sequels). And so that's why when Baum attempted starting up other fantasy series in the wake of Oz's success, hoping to turn all of them into lucrative franchises like the original, the audience mostly responded with yawns; and that's why Baum eventually went back to writing more and more Oz books as the 20th century continued, because by now the strength of the brand far outweighed the relative writing skills of Baum when it came to any particular volume.
That's why, at least to adults, it's perhaps actually the introductions to each book that are the most fascinating thing about them; because to be frank, most of the books follow a pretty familiar formula, with a danger-filled quest involving various kooky characters that is usually finished about two-thirds of the way through, followed by a massive parade or party that lets Baum trot out the growing number of main characters added to this universe with each title. (And by the way, prepare yourself for Baum's unending love of the deus-ex-machina plot device; over half the books end along the lines of, "And then our heroes took possession of a super-duper magical device, which they waved in the air and all their troubles went away.") In fact, for those who don't know, that's why the official map of Oz and its surrounding lands eventually grew so large, because Baum still hadn't given up on his dream of having a whole series of kid-lit cash cows out there generating revenue for him, and so would use many of these Oz sequels to introduce entirely new casts of characters who live in entirely new lands, "just over the mountains" or "just past the desert" of Oz itself. By the end of the original 14 books, in fact, Baum had built up a virtual aristocracy of licensable characters, all of whom would have to be dragged out for a cameo at some point in each book to remind the audience of their existence -- not just the cast of the original book and '39 movie but also various other princesses like Ozma and Betsy Bobbin, boy characters like Ojo the Unlucky and Button Bright, adults who help them like the Shaggy Man, Cap'n Bill and Ugu the Shoemaker, and of course a whole litany of quirky fantastical sidekicks, including but not limited to Tik-Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead, the Great Jinjin, Billina the Angry Hen, Scraps the Patchwork Girl, and Polychrome the Rainbow Fairy. Whew! And so did the Great Oz Merchandising Experiment keep limping along for two decades, with each sequel selling less and less and getting lazier and lazier (for example, the tenth book in the series, 1916's Rinkitink in Oz, was actually a non-Oz book written a decade previous, published almost unchanged except for a hasty final chapter full of Oz regulars slapped onto the end); and thus did Baum's bad luck in business come back with a vengeance as well, with three more Broadway productions that were all flops, and even the establishment of a film production company in 1914 that eventually went bankrupt.
You can see the progression of all this reflected in Baum's first-person introductions to each book, which like I said is why they might be the most fascinating parts of all for adult readers -- how in the first sequel, for example, he expresses legitimately gleeful surprise and joy at how passionate his fans were, and how thousands of children had literally written to him out of the blue demanding more Oz stories, while with each subsequent sequel his tone becomes more and more snarky, ala "Well, dear and wonderful children, you've yet again demanded another Oz book like the sheep you are, so here it is, you screeching little monsters." In fact, in book six of the series, 1910's The Emerald City of Oz, Baum flat-out states that it's going to be the very last Oz book, and it's no coincidence that many fans actually consider this one to be the best of the original fourteen, because of Baum's extra attention to and enthusiasm for this particular storyline, thinking as he erroneously did that it would be the grand finale of the entire Oz universe; but after his later financial failures forced him back into the Oz business again, the gloves finally come off in his introductions, with most of the rest sounding to today's ears something like, "Well, okay, here again is the sugary teat you all apparently can't get enough of suckling, you infuriating little animals, so open wide and take your medicine." Now, of course, you shouldn't feel too bad for Baum; by the last years of his life, his combined books and plays were generating for him in today's terms roughly a quarter-million dollars a year just in personal royalties.
So all in all, an experience I'm glad I had, reading all fourteen original Oz books in a row, but not something I'd recommend to others; instead, maybe better just to read the first, then skip to the sixth, then skip straight to the 14th, 1920's Glinda of Oz, because of its unusual darkness (probably caused, many scholars agree, by Baum knowing that he was near death). As with many authors I've looked at here at CCLaP, history seems to have correctly adjusted itself in Baum's case, with most of his books now rightfully falling into the obscurity they deserve, even while his one true masterpiece is still rightfully recognized as such.
March 17, 2020
Glinda of Oz is the last book in the series that was actually written by the original author. Since it was published posthumously, it was the one book aside from the very first book in the series, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to have no author's note. That actually hit me hard because I know any continuation by another author will never be the same.
During the time of writing, Baum was ill and it showed when his original manuscript actually depicted Reera the Red as a skeleton with red eyes. He likely changed it to a more comical image after the advice by his editors. The thought that Baum still managed to bring us all to another great adventure at the end of his life is just touching to me.
I loved how in his last book, Baum in a way brought the adventure underwater. The adventures in Oz have always taken place on land and once up in the air so I appreciate that he completed it with water at the end. Despite writing in bad health, he managed to maintain the quality of his writing. Like the previous book though, Glinda of Oz was a little shorter than the rest.
I wanted to give this a solid five, but I don't know, it felt a little sad and helpless in a way. Like how the immortality of those in Oz kept being mentioned and how a fairy, a wizard and a sorceress could still have no power to break a specific spell. I felt like it spoke of the condition that Baum was in and I loved it for that but I didn't expect to end on a bittersweet note because the rest pretty much gave me quite a sweet ride.
During the time of writing, Baum was ill and it showed when his original manuscript actually depicted Reera the Red as a skeleton with red eyes. He likely changed it to a more comical image after the advice by his editors. The thought that Baum still managed to bring us all to another great adventure at the end of his life is just touching to me.
I loved how in his last book, Baum in a way brought the adventure underwater. The adventures in Oz have always taken place on land and once up in the air so I appreciate that he completed it with water at the end. Despite writing in bad health, he managed to maintain the quality of his writing. Like the previous book though, Glinda of Oz was a little shorter than the rest.
I wanted to give this a solid five, but I don't know, it felt a little sad and helpless in a way. Like how the immortality of those in Oz kept being mentioned and how a fairy, a wizard and a sorceress could still have no power to break a specific spell. I felt like it spoke of the condition that Baum was in and I loved it for that but I didn't expect to end on a bittersweet note because the rest pretty much gave me quite a sweet ride.
February 21, 2022
The last of Baum's Oz books. There are many later books written by other authors, but none manage to hit his mix of wild imagination, humor, adventure, satire, idealism, and fun.
This last book highlights powerful women - Glinda and Ozma, the two most important people in Oz. They are so powerful they usually are relegated to the background of the books - otherwise all obstacles would be promptly overcome.
It was unusual to have adventure stories starring women, but most of Baum's books feature girls and women taking control. When confronted with a problem, they do something about it. (Dorothy, Trot, Betsy, Ozma, Glinda, the Patchwork Girl, Jinjur, Ann Soforth, Cayke the Cookie Cook). They do not always make the best choices, but Baum approved of them taking action, even if it is sometimes misguided. The frightening evil witches in many of the stories are also powerful. They are feared not because they are powerful, but because they use their power for selfish reasons.
What do I think Baum was trying to say in the Oz series? The world is an amazing place with lots of amazing people in it. If you accept and value our differences, you will gain friends and wisdom. If, however, you focus on your own fears and wish to dominate others, you will ultimately fail. The villains inevitably fail because their outlook is too narrow and because they have no true allies to help them when things get tough.
Also, when in doubt, try a transformation! It might not turn out the way you expected, but it is sure to make something interesting happen!
This last book highlights powerful women - Glinda and Ozma, the two most important people in Oz. They are so powerful they usually are relegated to the background of the books - otherwise all obstacles would be promptly overcome.
It was unusual to have adventure stories starring women, but most of Baum's books feature girls and women taking control. When confronted with a problem, they do something about it. (Dorothy, Trot, Betsy, Ozma, Glinda, the Patchwork Girl, Jinjur, Ann Soforth, Cayke the Cookie Cook). They do not always make the best choices, but Baum approved of them taking action, even if it is sometimes misguided. The frightening evil witches in many of the stories are also powerful. They are feared not because they are powerful, but because they use their power for selfish reasons.
What do I think Baum was trying to say in the Oz series? The world is an amazing place with lots of amazing people in it. If you accept and value our differences, you will gain friends and wisdom. If, however, you focus on your own fears and wish to dominate others, you will ultimately fail. The villains inevitably fail because their outlook is too narrow and because they have no true allies to help them when things get tough.
Also, when in doubt, try a transformation! It might not turn out the way you expected, but it is sure to make something interesting happen!
September 25, 2022
Finally done with the long Oz run. It was a bumpy ride but ended up on a high note.
This book was so enjoyable and one of the best books in the series. Still not as best as the first one but quite close to it.
I love the Flatheads. What a funny concept. Su-Dic and Coo-eh-oh are the most eccentric characters I've met so far. Even Nome king is a little below their level. The amount of magic and sorcery is delightful. There's a perfect plot and a perfect flow of events. Nothing was missing either.
I believe Frank really wanted to end it with a bang. He brought almost all the characters of Oz together for this book. Some did nothing significant but just making an appearance. Still, I think bringing them all together for one last journey was touching.
I should read more of is work.
Book #55 of 2022.
Book #14 of Oz series
This book was so enjoyable and one of the best books in the series. Still not as best as the first one but quite close to it.
I love the Flatheads. What a funny concept. Su-Dic and Coo-eh-oh are the most eccentric characters I've met so far. Even Nome king is a little below their level. The amount of magic and sorcery is delightful. There's a perfect plot and a perfect flow of events. Nothing was missing either.
I believe Frank really wanted to end it with a bang. He brought almost all the characters of Oz together for this book. Some did nothing significant but just making an appearance. Still, I think bringing them all together for one last journey was touching.
I should read more of is work.
Book #55 of 2022.
Book #14 of Oz series
September 1, 2023
L. Frank Baum’s very last Wizard of Oz story.
How sad, he died at the age of 62 from a stroke in 1919 and this story was released in 1920, over 100 years ago.
My friend and I started reading this collection in May of 2017, and we read one or two stories every year, completing the set in 6.5 years.
How sad, he died at the age of 62 from a stroke in 1919 and this story was released in 1920, over 100 years ago.
My friend and I started reading this collection in May of 2017, and we read one or two stories every year, completing the set in 6.5 years.
July 14, 2020
Life got in the way during my reading of the Oz books a few years ago, right before I could finish the Baum books. But I’ve picked it back up!
Glinda of Oz may be the best Baum book in the series. I practically devoured it over a few days. It’s a briskly moving story that verges on science fiction and has many elements that makeup the modern steampunk genre. Glinda is more magical scientist than sorceress and is brilliant at it. You can see where Baum was beginning to go with the series, and I’m sorry he wasn’t able to continue writing.
Glinda of Oz may be the best Baum book in the series. I practically devoured it over a few days. It’s a briskly moving story that verges on science fiction and has many elements that makeup the modern steampunk genre. Glinda is more magical scientist than sorceress and is brilliant at it. You can see where Baum was beginning to go with the series, and I’m sorry he wasn’t able to continue writing.
May 11, 2013
This book features Ozma in full diplomatic peacekeeper mode as she embarks on a mission to negotiate between two warring factions in hopes of putting an end to their war and restoring peace to that corner of Oz. Up until now, there have been mentions here and there about her responsibilities in this area, but in practice, we don't really get to see her that hands-on of a ruler. Though she supposedly can see everything in her Magic Picture, she tends to miss a heck of a lot, and often only intervenes in violations of her rule only when the miscreant in question makes enough of a spectacle that they basically land on her doorstep (or go so far as to imprison one of her best friends) or something equally rash and obvious. Dorothy and company have often come across fractious, bickering groups, but generally Ozma doesn't taken much notice of them. To my recollection, this is the first time she really takes full initiative to mediate an outside situation since the Nome King/Royal Family of Ev issue in Ozma of Oz. So on one hand, this is pretty cool, to see her really act like a ruler, and not just some incredibly well-heeled fairy princess kicking around the Emerald City and having lavish birthday parties like a socialite. She also takes Dorothy with her, and it's really the first time the two of them are traveling on their own, and it's also kind of nice to see them take such a bold and brave step. Girl power!
Unfortunately, the drawback with this is that Ozma is just not all that interesting a travel companion. Since the big Tip transformation, she rarely shows much in the way of nuanced personality. She's really more fairy than human, at least as far as the Ozian definition of a fairy: (beautiful, ethereal, not subject to human error, foibles, or flaws, almost always in a positive, sparkling mood). So in this way she's not much of a foil for Dorothy, and the meat of the interest in the story must then be provided by the warring factions themselves. The backstory of the battle and the heart of the conflict is actually kind of interesting, but eventually the pacing gets bogged down by logistics. Like many well-meaning peacekeepers before them, Dorothy and Ozma's good intentions get stymied by the local politics and get them trapped in a strange land. I won't go into too much detail here but trust me that the details of this get very convoluted and get drawn out to almost an --uninentionally--laughable extent before all is said and done. While it's sort of refreshing in a way to not see a quick save for once, this takes it a bit too far in the other direction, perhaps. As appears to be common in many of the Oz books titled after characters, Glinda is in this one very little, and though I noticed the main review basically credited her as making the big save here, I think that's sort of debatable, as you will see for yourself if you read it.
Interesting details to watch for: this is the first reference that I came across where Eureka was referred to as a purple kitten (rather than a pink one) and there is a prominent mention of Ginda's magic record book being wrapped in chains. If this was true originally, this part of the description has not been emphasized for some time (I'm guessing this is so it would be more conceivable that it could be stolen in The Lost Princess of Oz).
Unfortunately, the drawback with this is that Ozma is just not all that interesting a travel companion. Since the big Tip transformation, she rarely shows much in the way of nuanced personality. She's really more fairy than human, at least as far as the Ozian definition of a fairy: (beautiful, ethereal, not subject to human error, foibles, or flaws, almost always in a positive, sparkling mood). So in this way she's not much of a foil for Dorothy, and the meat of the interest in the story must then be provided by the warring factions themselves. The backstory of the battle and the heart of the conflict is actually kind of interesting, but eventually the pacing gets bogged down by logistics. Like many well-meaning peacekeepers before them, Dorothy and Ozma's good intentions get stymied by the local politics and get them trapped in a strange land. I won't go into too much detail here but trust me that the details of this get very convoluted and get drawn out to almost an --uninentionally--laughable extent before all is said and done. While it's sort of refreshing in a way to not see a quick save for once, this takes it a bit too far in the other direction, perhaps. As appears to be common in many of the Oz books titled after characters, Glinda is in this one very little, and though I noticed the main review basically credited her as making the big save here, I think that's sort of debatable, as you will see for yourself if you read it.
Interesting details to watch for: this is the first reference that I came across where Eureka was referred to as a purple kitten (rather than a pink one) and there is a prominent mention of Ginda's magic record book being wrapped in chains. If this was true originally, this part of the description has not been emphasized for some time (I'm guessing this is so it would be more conceivable that it could be stolen in The Lost Princess of Oz).
May 16, 2016
The final Oz from L. Frank Baum finally puts Ozma and Glinda directly in the spotlight, and on that alone proves a worthwhile addition to the series.
Frequently supporting characters and perhaps more frequently part of Baum's penchant for employing the classic deus ex machina method for his endings, these are in any respects the most powerful women in the stories. Ozma came second (Marvelous Land of Oz), but she quickly eclipsed Glinda (the Good Witch) in significance, so it's perhaps appropriate that for most of the book, she's more important to the plot, as she finally sets out on one of those endless series of adventures that typify life in Oz. On a visit to Glinda, she and Dorothy happen to discover that there's another conflict arising in those pesky remote regions. Watching Ozma lead one of these parties is a true revelation. She earns her distinction as the wisest person in Oz (there were plenty of contenders introduced throughout the series, none of them coming off as this impressive, with all due apologies to fans of the Scarecrow) as she navigates a typical series of obstacles.
Meanwhile, we find out what it looks like when Glinda goes on the job, too. She comes off less impressively, but also stands as the final example of Baum's impression of what practical magic looks like. Modern readers have Harry Potter as a guide, not to mention countless superheroes. We often can't imagine a hero being truly stymied. Yet that's exactly what happens to Glinda, who finally succeeds in finding a solution to the problem at hand by listening to the advice of the very kind of eccentrics we've been following all along.
So this, the final book in the Oz canon written by Baum himself, acknowledges both the authorities and the upstarts. You might call it squarely American. Baum skirted around his thought process so much, he led most of his fans to believe that these were mere fairy tales. More like allegories. His edge may have softened by the end, the more the real world horned in on his imagination (the early books are littered with the portents of WWI, while in the latter, direct reflections on it and its aftermath), but in the end Baum roundly proves that there was far more on his mind than nonsense. Figures that it was the clown-like Patchwork Girl who helps prove that once and for all.
Frequently supporting characters and perhaps more frequently part of Baum's penchant for employing the classic deus ex machina method for his endings, these are in any respects the most powerful women in the stories. Ozma came second (Marvelous Land of Oz), but she quickly eclipsed Glinda (the Good Witch) in significance, so it's perhaps appropriate that for most of the book, she's more important to the plot, as she finally sets out on one of those endless series of adventures that typify life in Oz. On a visit to Glinda, she and Dorothy happen to discover that there's another conflict arising in those pesky remote regions. Watching Ozma lead one of these parties is a true revelation. She earns her distinction as the wisest person in Oz (there were plenty of contenders introduced throughout the series, none of them coming off as this impressive, with all due apologies to fans of the Scarecrow) as she navigates a typical series of obstacles.
Meanwhile, we find out what it looks like when Glinda goes on the job, too. She comes off less impressively, but also stands as the final example of Baum's impression of what practical magic looks like. Modern readers have Harry Potter as a guide, not to mention countless superheroes. We often can't imagine a hero being truly stymied. Yet that's exactly what happens to Glinda, who finally succeeds in finding a solution to the problem at hand by listening to the advice of the very kind of eccentrics we've been following all along.
So this, the final book in the Oz canon written by Baum himself, acknowledges both the authorities and the upstarts. You might call it squarely American. Baum skirted around his thought process so much, he led most of his fans to believe that these were mere fairy tales. More like allegories. His edge may have softened by the end, the more the real world horned in on his imagination (the early books are littered with the portents of WWI, while in the latter, direct reflections on it and its aftermath), but in the end Baum roundly proves that there was far more on his mind than nonsense. Figures that it was the clown-like Patchwork Girl who helps prove that once and for all.
January 24, 2015
Thats such a pretty cover isn’t it. Too bad I don’t own that particular cover. But anyways. This book. Its the final one in the Oz series, remember there are 14 over all. I’ve read three. Not even in order. This is about Glinda, the good. She is great.
Ozma of Oz, who rules all, finds out that there is going to be a war between the flatheads and the skeezers. Ozma has never heard nor seen of these countries in oz. But as she rules the land, she feels it is her duty to prevent the war and make everyone get on with each other. She takes Princess Dorothy with her to help, whilst Dorothy is a mortal and does not have any magical powers, Glinda offers her a ring to be worn and turned when she is in danger.
We meet a lot of interesting characters a long the way. I loved the Skeezer people. The flatheads were just mean. Glinda is the most powerful sorcerous in all of Oz, and proudly protects all within the land.
I believe, as with all the other books, this can very much stand alone. I don’t think its essential to read all previous books, as you can get the gist of the story, but it does help you know the background to Oz.
I don’t think the tale of Oz, will ever get old or less enjoyable. For a book that was first printed in 1920, it’s still very much read today
Ozma of Oz, who rules all, finds out that there is going to be a war between the flatheads and the skeezers. Ozma has never heard nor seen of these countries in oz. But as she rules the land, she feels it is her duty to prevent the war and make everyone get on with each other. She takes Princess Dorothy with her to help, whilst Dorothy is a mortal and does not have any magical powers, Glinda offers her a ring to be worn and turned when she is in danger.
We meet a lot of interesting characters a long the way. I loved the Skeezer people. The flatheads were just mean. Glinda is the most powerful sorcerous in all of Oz, and proudly protects all within the land.
I believe, as with all the other books, this can very much stand alone. I don’t think its essential to read all previous books, as you can get the gist of the story, but it does help you know the background to Oz.
I don’t think the tale of Oz, will ever get old or less enjoyable. For a book that was first printed in 1920, it’s still very much read today
March 17, 2024
The last book in the original Oz series by Mr Baum. At times, I wasn't sure what I was reading... This story looks more like an early Sci-Fi tale. I mean, there was a sunken, domed island, submarines, and a complex machinery that gives form to the Isle of the Skeezers.
All the previous books that performed some character's name as title didn't pay much credit to those characters (except for The Tin Woodman of Oz), but this book actually pays great tribute to Glinda whom we had not seen taking part in any major dispute since Jinjur dethroned the Scarecrow, before they found Ozma in The Marvelous Land of Oz. But also Ozma herself deserves some credit in this book for her cleverness and her determination to stop war between the Skeezers and the Flatheads. In fact, my favorite scene was when the two girls had to escape from the Su-Dict by making themselves invisible.
However, I don't feel like this is the end of the serie... I know it's not, of course, but I also have this feeling that Oz will naver be the same. But once started, you can't stop, and this wonderful journey must continue.
All the previous books that performed some character's name as title didn't pay much credit to those characters (except for The Tin Woodman of Oz), but this book actually pays great tribute to Glinda whom we had not seen taking part in any major dispute since Jinjur dethroned the Scarecrow, before they found Ozma in The Marvelous Land of Oz. But also Ozma herself deserves some credit in this book for her cleverness and her determination to stop war between the Skeezers and the Flatheads. In fact, my favorite scene was when the two girls had to escape from the Su-Dict by making themselves invisible.
However, I don't feel like this is the end of the serie... I know it's not, of course, but I also have this feeling that Oz will naver be the same. But once started, you can't stop, and this wonderful journey must continue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2012
And 14 marks the end of L. Frank Baum's run on Oz books. What a fantastic journey, so full of adventure and so fun. This final tale begins with Dorthy and Ozma traveling to the far reaches of the Giliken country to the land of the flatheads and skeezers. There a war is brewing between two societies who have never heard of Ozma's rule. To stave this war, bring peace, and tame the use of magic, Ozma and Dorthy fly to the rescue, and are summarily dismissed and captures by the wicked rules bent on revenge for past slights inflicting upon one another.
How are they rescued? Well I do not want to spoil the story, but it involves a great collection of Oz's famous characters to rush to the aid!
While I wish there was more Shaggy Man, because he is the bestest, it was still a fun story and a great ending to the series that Baum wrote. I am eager to see how others keep the canon alive and how their tales compare. But before that, we are going to delve into some of Baum's other tales.
How are they rescued? Well I do not want to spoil the story, but it involves a great collection of Oz's famous characters to rush to the aid!
While I wish there was more Shaggy Man, because he is the bestest, it was still a fun story and a great ending to the series that Baum wrote. I am eager to see how others keep the canon alive and how their tales compare. But before that, we are going to delve into some of Baum's other tales.
December 30, 2015
This one was a little better than the others, and Ozma is surprising useful in this one. It startled me with how useless she's been throughout the series in relying on everyone else to save her when she actually has something to contribute to the world in general. There was also a lot of suspense in this one and an overlaying "dark-ish" quality to the story. It's sad that it took Mr. Baum becoming so sick that he was able to touch on such dark themes and craft this tale so well. Dorothy is still a stuck-up little brat and needs to be put in her place, dropping the book several points for me. As did the abundance of telling in the story.
January 8, 2016
Wow, we did it! My daughter (7 and a half) and I really enjoyed this final book of the Oz series. We loved that Ozma was a main character and that the majority of main players in the story were strong (somewhat) interesting girls/women. It was very "modern" written in 1920? and had an air of "future" to it that was interesting. Our only problem was that Dorothy didn't seem as plucky as usual, easily concerned and frightful for some of the book. There was more bowing down to Ozma as your supreme ruler that seemed a new change as well. We really loved the ending, it tidied things up nicely without going on and on.
August 27, 2013
I think this will be my last ever visit to Oz. Three stars because it was one of my favorites as a child, but I had to grit my teeth to get through it reading it aloud to my son. We had a library copy of the Books of Wonder edition, and one nice thing was seeing the full color plates, which my childhood copy lacked.
June 20, 2015
This was the last book written by Baum and I believe, to be one of his best.
The story is full of magic, friendship, unusual lands, and it's full of colorful descriptions.
I would have given it five stars but I did not like the parts where animals were abused. That seems to be out of character for such a magical place.
The story is full of magic, friendship, unusual lands, and it's full of colorful descriptions.
I would have given it five stars but I did not like the parts where animals were abused. That seems to be out of character for such a magical place.
July 13, 2020
Check out my reviews on the main page of each individual book!
March 31, 2022
This is the last of the original Wizard of Oz books, as L. Frank Baum died after writing this one and before he could get another one out. The good news is that the series was continued long after his death by a series of other writers, so if you’re not ready to say goodbye to Dorothy and Friends then you’re in luck.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this one is that while the story itself might not have been the best out of all of the Oz books, it did have some of the best life advice for young readers. That’s kind of fitting because of the fact that it’s the last of the books that Baum wrote in the series. It’s as though it’s his swan song featuring his last bits of wisdom that he wants to remember.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this one is that while the story itself might not have been the best out of all of the Oz books, it did have some of the best life advice for young readers. That’s kind of fitting because of the fact that it’s the last of the books that Baum wrote in the series. It’s as though it’s his swan song featuring his last bits of wisdom that he wants to remember.
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