Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

I'm going to give Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West another chance, because another friend recommends it. But she also recommended reading more than just the first book of the original series, so I've put the first half-dozen or so on hold at the library.

If anyone is interested in reading them with me, they're widely available, especially in digital because they are out of copyright. With more family time over the holiday season, you might even get a chance to read them with your children!

I can't. I just can't! I'm the only one who just does NOT like these books. I have read the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz a few times- as a kid and an adult and don't get it. I read the second one after slogging through The Wicked Years novels. I LOVED Wicked! It was slow to start but once Elphaba arrives at Shiz University, things start to pick up. Nephew #2 (11) might be willing to buddy read with you! He loved the first book and wanted the rest but not being a digital kid yet he didn't have access to the rest of the series. I think they wanted audio books.

I'm dragging my nieces to see the Wicked movie on Saturday. It will make me want to read the book again but I can't find it anywhere in the house. My mom must have given it away. She didn't like it.

QNPoohBear wrote: "I can't. I just can't! I'm the only one who just does NOT like these books. I have read the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz a few times- as a kid and an adult and don't get it. I read the second on..."

I did not like the first novel and never considered trying the rest. I might consider trying again if the books are available on Open Library, but I am not interested in purchasing them.

The original L. Frank Baum books are on Project Gutenberg, Google and various other public domain sites, probably LibriVox. L. Frank Baum died in 1919 but other authors continued to write about Oz. There are various other official and unofficial Oz books too.

I wanted to read them to better understand the Wicked universe but I slogged through all the Wicked Years books instead. NOT recommended by the way- nothing happens and now there's a spinoff/sequel series and a prequel.

Ok then. Dang. Well, I did like the first book, and since I've heard good things about the others and also I have borrowed them in print already, I'll try them. But I guess I won't have high hopes.

Cheryl wrote: "Ok then. Dang. Well, I did like the first book, and since I've heard good things about the others and also I have borrowed them in print already, I'll try them. But I guess I won't have high hopes."

I do know many GR friends who have really liked the entire series. I might try to join in if the books are available on Open Library.

After watching Wicked on the big screen (SOOOO good), I may give the Oz books a try. I was always curious about the mythology of Oz and things that didn't get included in Maguire's books or the musical. What happened to the lost princess? I got an answer in The Marvelous Land of Oz but there's also The Lost Princess of Oz.

I read the graphic adaptation of the first book.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
I liked that it included scenes from the book that the movie skipped. Otherwise, pretty terrible. Text reads like a long-winded summary written by a bright but young child. Art is too stylized to illustrate hardly anything except the magical vibe. Nothing witty or nuanced.

I am quite enjoying the further reads, which I admit does surprise me. It helps that my library has nice hardcovers with good quality prints of the illustrations.

Btw, apparently The Marvelous Land of Oz is also known as The Land of Oz in some editions.

I will let you know when I read The Lost Princess of Oz if I remember; I hope that I get lucky and read it about the same time as the Maguire novel.

I DO know what happened to the lost princess of Oz because I slogged through ALL the Wicked years novels but I should have cut to the chase and read the original Baum book.

My nephew has read a few of the Oz books, not sure which ones at this point. He didn't speak to me once the entire day on Thanksgiving and he's the good one! My brother says his son kept coming to them after reading the books announcing "This guy must have been high on something!" (something to that effect). My brother ALSO pointed out the only copy of the book I've read, my Junior Illustrated Classics copy from my dad's childhood, is abridged! It's missing one chapter and perhaps more pages. My brother likes the land of the China dolls chapter because it's so bizarre. I also own a small American Girl doll sized abridged copy of a 1904 edition of The Wizard of Oz.

Did you know the 1939 movie was not the first time the book was adapted for the screen? It was a popular Broadway show (even more bizarre than the book judging from the photos) and the books were adapted a couple times for the screen in 1914:
The Patchwork Girl of Oz, The Magic Cloak of Oz, and His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz.

They're on YouTube and the Internet Archive.

Ok, but do you know which book the Lost Princess story is from?

I'll have to find an unabridged copy of the original; I don't remember the China Dolls.

Meanwhile, here's my review of The Emerald City of Oz:

"The reason most people are bad is because they do not try to be good."

It's interesting how completely relevant this is. A fascist, or a tyrant, may find allies... but they are of course just as wicked as he, and will turn on him once the first cause is won.

I love the word-play in this, too, especially in the chapter that takes place in Utensia (do your own Googling for punctuation):
I'm a lawyer, said the Corkscrew, proudly. I am accustomed to appear at the bar.
But you're crooked, retorted the king, and that debars you. You may be a corking good lawyer, Mr. Popp, but I must ask you to withdraw your remarks.
Very well, said the Corkscrew, sadly; I see I haven't any pull at this court.

I do have a real problem with the chapter at Bunbury. I don't care how hungry you are, you don't eat other sapient beings.

The Tin Woodman says: "I have noticed that the happiest people are those who do not let their brains oppress them." Think about it, as a child reading this would. In a sense it is true, however we must use our cleverness & wisdom to the best of our ability in order to be healthy & to keep out of trouble. Hmm....

I'm going to take a break now. This is indeed the last book Baum intended to write about Oz and it does wrap things up quite satisfactorily.

Project Gutenberg has the original novel. I have a tiny American Girl size version from 1904 but it's only the first chapter.


Chapter XX "The Dainty China Country"


I need to read that one! I liked the political allegory aspect of the Wicked Years novels but I didn't buy that argument for the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Slogging through all the Wicked years novels (read the first two and the end of last one, skip A Lion Among Men), you'll eventually get to the lost princess (view spoiler)[Tip, the servant of the old witch Mombi! Tip can be spotted in Son of a Witch walking a cow. That scene is taken right from Baum's book The Marvelous Land of Oz (hide spoiler)]

Nice spoilers on Wiki

Ok, so I already know the Lost Princess and am ready for the first Wicked. I don't know if I'll ever get around to reading The Lost Princess of Oz.

Thank you for clarifying!
Oh, and if the edition of the first book that I borrow from the library doesn't have the china dolls I will def. check out PG, thanks again. :)