Author: L. Frank Baum
Publication: Books of Wonder/HarperCollins, hardcover, originally published in 1908
Genre: Juvenile fantasy/series
My Impression: While this book does not have the charm and narrative flow of Ozma of Oz, it is full of Baum’s specialty – unusual lands with quirky inhabitants; unfortunately, many of them are actively hostile to Dorothy and her companions. The copy I reread is a beautiful facsimile of the first edition, published by Peter Glassman, a former client of mine who owns Books of Wonder in New York. He points out in the Afterword that Baum responded to letters from children begging for more Oz by providing a story that takes quite a while to actually reach Oz, allowing him to use his creativity first, although not in a way that is always enjoyable.
Dorothy sighed and commenced to breathe easier. She began to realize that death was not in store for her, after all, but that she had merely started upon another adventure, which promised to be just as queer and unusual as were those she had before encountered.It takes Zeb and Jim longer to acclimate, and Jim is the first to complain:
“Those were the first words I ever said,” called out the horse, who had overheard them, “and I can’t explain why I happened to speak then. This is a nice scrape you’ve got me into, isn’t it?”Jim the horse and Eureka the kitten continue Baum’s streak of memorable animal characters. Both have more personality than Zeb but neither is going to challenge the Cowardly Lion or Hungry Tiger in popularity. Jim is perpetually grumpy and Eureka is shrill and pugnacious, always threatening to eat the Wizard’s guinea pigs (nor does Neill make Eureka very attractive).
“As for that, we are in the same scrape ourselves,” answered Dorothy, cheerfully. “But never mind; something will happen pretty soon.”
“Of course,” growled the horse; “and then we shall be sorry it happened.”
The most interesting part of the underground world is the Vegetable Kingdom, inhabited by the Mangaboos, an attractive people with no feelings. They grow in public gardens and the deceased are planted for regrowth. When first the Sorcerer and then the Prince threaten to destroy their visitors, the Wizard urges Dorothy to pick the Princess destined to be his successor, saying, “I’m quite sure she’s ripe, and as soon as she comes to life she will be the Ruler, and may treat us better than that heartless Prince intends to.” She is only temporarily grateful, however, and soon they are on the run again.
Source: Library (family copy is in New York). Please visit Entering the Enchanted Castle and The Book Stop who are hosting Ozathon24 and join in if you can!
Illustrations copyright to HarperCollins
3 comments:
That is funny that you're reading another book about an earthquake. I agree that the Mangaboos are the most interesting, though creepy. On this reading, I'm most struck by how much ironic commentary Baum has to make on government and rulership. That passed me by as a child, although I think it formed my ideas subconsciously quite a bit.
Except for the Prince deciding not to pick his successor and then the Princess turning into a tyrant, I didn't get that sense, although I didn't care for Eureka's trial very much. But what I did notice on this reread is how much danger there is! The Wizard killing the Sorcerer and all the threats to kill our characters! Not really bedtime story material and, as Deb points out, sloppiness with the Wizard's backstory.
I meant on reading the Oz books in general, not just this one. There are cowardly, malicious, lazy, foolish rulers, etc., except of course for our beloved Ozma. Yes, danger and threat were more of an overriding theme here! It just never let up, even in Oz.
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