jackpumpkinhead's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
awishman's review against another edition
4.0
The best written in the Oz series so far. The characters are as inventive as ever, and the plot is the most developed of any of the Oz books so far. Baum's growth as a writer is apparent in this homespun fairy tale that is sure to delight.
iamericat22's review against another edition
2.0
I'm working my way through the Oz series (in order too), and it's a harder task than I imagined it being. Books 1-5 were easy finds (all in a single volume), but as I try to find the second half of the series (books 6-14) the used bookstores are proving less helpful. On this same note, books 1-5 of Oz were great; image laden, colorful, and cheerful.
In book six, you get the feeling that Baum is getting burnt out on Oz. He can't get away from it and write something "adult," because the letters he is receiving are constantly asking for more Oz! It becomes clear in The Patchwork Girl of Oz that Baum just isn't feeling the magic.
In Patchwork, the Raggedy Ann type girl named Scraps Patchwork is only a minor character. She accompanies our unfortunate boy-munchkin character Ojo and a vain, glass cat with pink brains (you can see them work). This odd bunch sets out to gather an assortment of items needed for a magic spell to turn Ojo's uncle back into a live man after an unfortunate accident with a petrifaction potion.
So the adventure begins. The group meets up with the scarecrow, the tin man, Dorothy, Ozma, and many other odd Oz inhabitants. The characters in this series have now reached a hefty number, and including them all and their set up/back story leaves little room left for the new storyline.
Spoilers...
As the tale progresses, Ojo and his group find all they need for the magic spell except for a final item that is just seemingly impossible. Solution? Enter Glenda the Good and the Wizard of Oz who use magic to straighten everything out. It's a dissatisfying ending and an abrupt one too. Basically, we learn that magic will make everything right no matter what. Listening to this on Hoopla Digtal's audiobook rental site was the silver lining as all the voices in this book were preformed to give the story a lively narrative. Unless, you just demand on slogging through the Oz series for completion's sake, skip this one.
In book six, you get the feeling that Baum is getting burnt out on Oz. He can't get away from it and write something "adult," because the letters he is receiving are constantly asking for more Oz! It becomes clear in The Patchwork Girl of Oz that Baum just isn't feeling the magic.
In Patchwork, the Raggedy Ann type girl named Scraps Patchwork is only a minor character. She accompanies our unfortunate boy-munchkin character Ojo and a vain, glass cat with pink brains (you can see them work). This odd bunch sets out to gather an assortment of items needed for a magic spell to turn Ojo's uncle back into a live man after an unfortunate accident with a petrifaction potion.
So the adventure begins. The group meets up with the scarecrow, the tin man, Dorothy, Ozma, and many other odd Oz inhabitants. The characters in this series have now reached a hefty number, and including them all and their set up/back story leaves little room left for the new storyline.
Spoilers...
As the tale progresses, Ojo and his group find all they need for the magic spell except for a final item that is just seemingly impossible. Solution? Enter Glenda the Good and the Wizard of Oz who use magic to straighten everything out. It's a dissatisfying ending and an abrupt one too. Basically, we learn that magic will make everything right no matter what. Listening to this on Hoopla Digtal's audiobook rental site was the silver lining as all the voices in this book were preformed to give the story a lively narrative. Unless, you just demand on slogging through the Oz series for completion's sake, skip this one.
lillireenan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
blakemp's review against another edition
4.0
Continuing my reread of Baum's Oz books with this one. After trying to kill the series in book six by closing off Oz to the outside world, he needed the money too badly and went back to the well.
The odd thing is, although he definitely phones in many of the later Oz books, this is the first time since book #3 that there's actually been a plot that didn't boil down to "Dorothy wanders around and meets a bunch of weirdos." Oh, there IS wandering, and there ARE weirdos, but they're mostly in the service of Ojo the Unlucky and his quest to find the magical ingredients to save his uncle, who has been transformed into a statue. As such, it's actually the best book since the third one, (Ozma of Oz, which is actually my favorite book in the series).
The odd thing is, although he definitely phones in many of the later Oz books, this is the first time since book #3 that there's actually been a plot that didn't boil down to "Dorothy wanders around and meets a bunch of weirdos." Oh, there IS wandering, and there ARE weirdos, but they're mostly in the service of Ojo the Unlucky and his quest to find the magical ingredients to save his uncle, who has been transformed into a statue. As such, it's actually the best book since the third one, (Ozma of Oz, which is actually my favorite book in the series).
roshk99's review against another edition
2.0
After about the third book, you start seeing a pattern...they are all the same
lbernard1892's review against another edition
4.0
Still one of my absolute favorites stores. Fully of word playing, quick wit and an endearing cast of characters I recommend this book to everyone that loves the land of Oz.
There is a free libravox audiobook here. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WezL3HeOfxQ
There is a free libravox audiobook here. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WezL3HeOfxQ
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
3.0
Wow, two books in a row for Oz that weren't bad. In fact some of this one was quite good. A quest and new and interesting characters. Yes it was still a travelogue but one with a purpose. Unfortunately it took a decided downturn once we reached the Emerald City and Dorothy and Toto joined the quest. And the ending was lame. 3.5 of 5.