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cowmouflage's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
lexxluthor's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
skochara's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
mrdent's review against another edition
5.0
The Scarecrow of Oz is a great Oz book. It’s also not an Oz book, in a lot of ways. The protagonists of this book, Trot and Cap’n Bill, are the leads of another Baum series, which he had hoped would succeed and replace Oz in terms of popularity. Well, those books were nice enough, but clearly that didn’t happen. Their third and final adventure is also their introduction to the Oz series, and what they’ll wind up being remembered for above all else.
They’re great characters and their introduction is better than some original Oz characters I can think of. Button Bright, one of my other favorite Oz characters, comes back, and the new characters introduced in this book are all very fun and strange too. I like it a lot when Baum writes villains into his stories, and this book in particular has a whole European fairy tale pastiche baked into it. Complete with an evil king, a scheming courtier, a princess in distress and a wicked witch. It’s a funny but gentle parody, and he writes it better than most children’s fairytale writers.
They’re great characters and their introduction is better than some original Oz characters I can think of. Button Bright, one of my other favorite Oz characters, comes back, and the new characters introduced in this book are all very fun and strange too. I like it a lot when Baum writes villains into his stories, and this book in particular has a whole European fairy tale pastiche baked into it. Complete with an evil king, a scheming courtier, a princess in distress and a wicked witch. It’s a funny but gentle parody, and he writes it better than most children’s fairytale writers.
kitsuneheart's review against another edition
2.0
Just. No interest? The only thing that makes this Oz book stand out in my head from all the others is that it's basically a crossover with Baum's other works. Cap'n Bill and Trot journey to the land of Oz, where they become embroiled in a kingdom's takeover, eventually helping to oust King Krewl (not making that up) and place the heiress of the original ruler on the throne. Beside the son of the first man to overthrow the kingdom. But they're in love, so it's okay?
Again, if you like Oz books, you'll probably be fine with this. I just...can't.
Luckily, if you are wanting to read these, you can get them free through Project Gutenberg, and you can also get free audiobooks from Librivox.
Again, if you like Oz books, you'll probably be fine with this. I just...can't.
Luckily, if you are wanting to read these, you can get them free through Project Gutenberg, and you can also get free audiobooks from Librivox.
sarahanne8382's review against another edition
3.0
#9 of Baum's books about the land of Oz
first published in 1915
Yet again, another delightfully imaginative tale from the land Oz. This one follows the adventures of a retired sailor named Captain Bill and his young friend, a little girl named Trot. While enjoying one of their rides out from the coast of California they are suddenly sucked down a whirlpool and travel through many strange lands until finally landing in the kingdom of Oz, where they eventually meet the Scarecrow.
The one thing that might recommend this book more than other Oz titles is that it was Baum's undisputed favorite among the 15 tales he wrote about the magical land. Either way, if you've liked previous Oz books, you should definitely check this one out.
first published in 1915
Yet again, another delightfully imaginative tale from the land Oz. This one follows the adventures of a retired sailor named Captain Bill and his young friend, a little girl named Trot. While enjoying one of their rides out from the coast of California they are suddenly sucked down a whirlpool and travel through many strange lands until finally landing in the kingdom of Oz, where they eventually meet the Scarecrow.
The one thing that might recommend this book more than other Oz titles is that it was Baum's undisputed favorite among the 15 tales he wrote about the magical land. Either way, if you've liked previous Oz books, you should definitely check this one out.