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emiged's review against another edition
3.0
The Patchwork Girl is one of my favorite Oz characters. She's absolutely delightful! I loved her whimsical little rhymes and her unquestioning loyalty to Ojo as well as the budding romance between her and the Scarecrow.
While I've dinged other Oz books for being "travelogues" without any driving plot, the urgency behind Ojo's journey feels real. He desperately wants to save Unc Nunkie, his only relative and, until his travels, his only friend as well. (Curious, though, how he lives with his uncle - no mother or father in sight - in a land where no one ever dies...but I digress.)
Mr. Baum has an interesting approach to moral dilemmas. For the record, if the only way to rescue Unc Nunkie was to sacrifice a single yellow butterfly, I'd probably cry a bit (I couldn't spear a worm on a hook to go fishing), but I'd do it. It wouldn't even be a question for me. The Tin Woodman would not approve, I'm sure, but I thought his response to Ojo's request remarkably cold and cruel for one who is supposed to be "tender-hearted."
And Ozma's "benevolent dictatorship" truly gets on my nerves some times. No one but Glinda and the Wizard (what happened to the Good Witch of the North?) can practice magic, even for their own amusement and benefit, because some people did bad things with it? Let's take away everyone's cars because some people drive drunk! And while she sits in her opulent Emerald City and proclaims how devoted she is to the happiness of her people, there are people in her land in such dire straits that they have to leave their homes so they don't starve (even if they can't die, they can't be pleasant!)? Get out of your throne room, lady, and look around!
Yes, I'm aware that I'm reading far too much into these children's fairy tales. So sue me.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
While I've dinged other Oz books for being "travelogues" without any driving plot, the urgency behind Ojo's journey feels real. He desperately wants to save Unc Nunkie, his only relative and, until his travels, his only friend as well. (Curious, though, how he lives with his uncle - no mother or father in sight - in a land where no one ever dies...but I digress.)
Mr. Baum has an interesting approach to moral dilemmas. For the record, if the only way to rescue Unc Nunkie was to sacrifice a single yellow butterfly, I'd probably cry a bit (I couldn't spear a worm on a hook to go fishing), but I'd do it. It wouldn't even be a question for me. The Tin Woodman would not approve, I'm sure, but I thought his response to Ojo's request remarkably cold and cruel for one who is supposed to be "tender-hearted."
And Ozma's "benevolent dictatorship" truly gets on my nerves some times. No one but Glinda and the Wizard (what happened to the Good Witch of the North?) can practice magic, even for their own amusement and benefit, because some people did bad things with it? Let's take away everyone's cars because some people drive drunk! And while she sits in her opulent Emerald City and proclaims how devoted she is to the happiness of her people, there are people in her land in such dire straits that they have to leave their homes so they don't starve (even if they can't die, they can't be pleasant!)? Get out of your throne room, lady, and look around!
Yes, I'm aware that I'm reading far too much into these children's fairy tales. So sue me.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
paurw's review against another edition
3.0
Otra de las extrañas historias de la Tierra de Oz.
Esta me gustó más que la anterior de todas maneras, tuvimos la oportunidad de conocer un rincón de la Tierra de Oz que no habíamos visto, la de los Quadlings, eso lo encontré muy valioso.
Pero con esta historia me pasó lo que me ha pasado en varias ya, se me hizo tediosa a ratos y sin sentido, pues siempre hubo una solución más sencilla. Entiendo que son historias para otro público y por eso lo perdono.
Esta me gustó más que la anterior de todas maneras, tuvimos la oportunidad de conocer un rincón de la Tierra de Oz que no habíamos visto, la de los Quadlings, eso lo encontré muy valioso.
Pero con esta historia me pasó lo que me ha pasado en varias ya, se me hizo tediosa a ratos y sin sentido, pues siempre hubo una solución más sencilla. Entiendo que son historias para otro público y por eso lo perdono.
woody425's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good one too, it’s been two good volumes on the trot! I really liked the patchwork girl she was cute and I loved the connection she had with the scarecrow! 4/5
lmm6758's review against another edition
3.0
Ok - I'm reading it because it was mentioned in "The Book". Must count words as well.
leigh_loves_books's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Some interesting ideas in here but the writing is humdrum and formulaic.
ladyida1's review against another edition
5.0
These adventures would have been very interesting to see in film or even cartoon.
Love it
Love it
bangel_ds's review against another edition
1.0
No. Just no.
Baum should've stopped after the first few books. This is absolutely boring and uninteresting. I didn't care about anyone at all and as always, nothing ever happens. Everything is resolved in two seconds, no conflicts, no development, no nothing. It's just truly disappointing.
I initially gave it two stars but changed my mind while writing this. I guess the only thing worth reflecting upon was the prison concept in Oz. And that's pretty much it.
I read some review and I guess I'm the only one feeling this way ahhah. Well, I can't lie...I just couldn't wait for the book to come to an end, preferably with a great event or finale. The Patchwork Girl was not enough.
I am gonna continue the series though..I have to know if they slightly get better and if something happens. But I'm not optimistic.
Baum should've stopped after the first few books. This is absolutely boring and uninteresting. I didn't care about anyone at all and as always, nothing ever happens. Everything is resolved in two seconds, no conflicts, no development, no nothing. It's just truly disappointing.
I initially gave it two stars but changed my mind while writing this. I guess the only thing worth reflecting upon was the prison concept in Oz. And that's pretty much it.
I read some review and I guess I'm the only one feeling this way ahhah. Well, I can't lie...I just couldn't wait for the book to come to an end, preferably with a great event or finale. The Patchwork Girl was not enough.
I am gonna continue the series though..I have to know if they slightly get better and if something happens. But I'm not optimistic.
wwilson32's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
4.0
lilli_reenan's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5