6 Classics in 2018| #3 | ‘The Wizard of Oz’| Review

‘Come along, Toto’, she said. ‚We will go to the Emerald City and ask the great Oz how to get back to Kansas.‘

L. Frank Baum | The Wizard of Oz | p. 18

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When I started my own little challenge to read 6 Classics in 2018 in January, I was quite excited for some of the chosen books on my stack. ‘The Wizard of Oz’, written in 1900 by L. Frank Baum, was one of them and as expected, I liked it so much that I finished it within two days.

S O    W H A T    I S    T H I S    B O O K    A L L    A B O U T ?

When a cyclone picks up little Dorothy and her dog Toto from their farm in Kansas and drops them in the magical world of Oz, a fantastic and eventful adventure begins. She meets extraordinary people and creatures, and together with the talking Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion, she embarks on a journey towards the Emerald City to meet its mighty ruler, the Wizard of Oz. It is said that only he possesses the power that can send Dorothy back home again.

This is the first book in a row of adventures taking place in the magical Land of Oz and is a children’s novel published in 1900 and is considered a timeless classic. I own the ‘Puffin Chalk’ edition of this classic tale and it is simply beautiful. With its cover designed like an intricate painting on a chalk board and its rough-edged pages, it inspired me to paint a bookmark featuring Dorothy as portrayed by Judy Garland in the 1939 movie adaptation. Although I’ve grown quite rusty lately when it comes to painting, I really love how this one turned out. The little illustrations featured in this book are simple and cute and a more than fitting addition to a heartwarming story.

W H A T    D I D    I    T H I N K    A B O U T    I T ?

 ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is a deeply enjoyable tale for young and old readers alike. It tells the story of a courageous young girl from Kansas who is determined to find her way home again – even though Oz is more magical and beautiful than her home can ever be.

‘No matter how dreary and grey 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.’
Dorothy to the Scarecrow | p. 27 

I loved the language and writing style of ‘The Wizard of Oz’, for it conveyed the typical flair of old fairy tales written for children, which was very amusing to me. In addition to that I have to emphasize how much I liked each of the characters depicted within the story – especially fierce little Dorothy. Her courage, persistence and loyalty towards her companions is exemplary. It is timeless in its message and a tale that is fitting for anyone who loves a good, old fairy tale in front of a crackling fire place (or in my case, on a warm summer’s day).

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Author:   L. Frank Baum
Title:       The Wizard of Oz
Press:      Puffin Books
Year of publication: 1900
Pages:      189
[Genre:     Classics / Children’s Novel / Fantasy]

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