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shaunireads1's review against another edition
5.0
We listened to Anne Hathaway’s narration of this book. The kids especially loved the exaggerated voices and accents she used for the various characters.
scorcheded's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sannareads's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this even though I feel like it could’ve been a bit shorter ❤️
idlereader's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
megatsunami's review against another edition
5.0
I hadn't read this since I was a child and I have to say, it really lives up to its fame! Also, although I love the movie dearly, it is very different from the book and it was fun for me and my child to notice the similarities and differences.
readingoverbreathing's review against another edition
4.0
"No matter how dreary and gray our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful. There is no place like home."
For me at least, this is one of those stories that had been absorbed in a variety of ways over the course of time, mainly, of course, through the 1939 film, but I know there were also other abridged versions I'd read as a child, as well as a production of Wicked I saw in sixth grade. After finally sitting down and reading this properly, I think one of those supposedly abridged versions may have actually been the full one, but there's no way to really know now, so I'm counting this as my first real read.
And despite my own intimacy with this story, I was surprisingly delighted by this read. There are a lot of small vignettes in this original which aren't included in the film, and so those details were most fun to recall. And because this is a children's book, its short, simple prose made it easy reading and really a joy to lightly delve into throughout this past month. I have to hand it to Baum for his creativity here; it's easy to tell why this little book has become so absorbed into popular culture as a classic.
I now really want to rewatch the film, as it's been years since I've actually seen it, and maybe dive a little more into this series beyond this first book while my interest is so piqued. I know there's more here I haven't necessarily discovered, and I might as well take advantage of that now.
chris_sanny's review against another edition
5.0
Anne Hathaway's rendition was wonderful! Her voices fit the whimsical tale perfectly and often had us laughing. The gatekeeper of Oz was our favorite with his daffy duck lisp :)
butterfly2507's review against another edition
2.0
I got this edition which contains the books #1, #6 and #14. I've only read the first one, the original Wizard of Oz story and it was ... okay. I expected a little better for such a well loved and known story. (fun fact, this was the first time reading it and I've never seen the movie!). The World of Oz itself sounds amazing, I love the characters / protagonists as well but something was missing. Definitely will not be continuing the story.
zullya's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
4.0
I have never watched the movie because I already knew everything about it and thought it was too cheesy/more for children. Decided to read the book because of how short it was and I actually enjoyed it. The characters' backstories is something I've never heard
montes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0