The Wizard of Oz Series ♦Official Thread♦

Favorite Oz Character?

Dorothy Gale	0.0%	[ 0 ]
Princess Ozma	33.3%	[ 1 ]
Betsy Bobbin	0.0%	[ 0 ]
Nick Chopper	0.0%	[ 0 ]
Tik-Tok	33.3%	[ 1 ]
The Scarecrow	0.0%	[ 0 ]
Jack Pumpkinhead	0.0%	[ 0 ]
Polychrome	0.0%	[ 0 ]
Button-Bright	0.0%	[ 0 ]
Other? (Post in the thread)	33.3%	[ 1 ]
Total Votes:			[ 3 ]

[Princess Ozma of Oz]

My favorite book series of all time is the 'Wizard of Oz' series by Frank Baum. He wrote them in the early 1900's, and there were 14 in the series before he died. After he died, several authors stepped up and continued to write stories of Oz, and together they wrote 26 novels. All together, they are known as the 'Famous Forty'. This thread, however, is dedicated mostly to the 14 books that Baum himself wrote.

I was never a fan of 1939 'The Wizard of Oz' movie by MGM, (I think I enjoyed it when I was little, but as I got older it just sort of annoyed me,) so I was skeptical when I found the novel at a thrift store. But, being an avid reader of fantasy novels, I bought it and read it.

I had never been so surprised. The book was fantastic, and I couldn't believe how warped the famous movie is... It's nothing like the original story from which it was (loosely) based, and the book was so much better! I was even more surprised when I looked at the back of the book and saw a list for the rest of the series. I slowly began ordering all the books (they're sadly out of print because the movie completely shadows them, so you can usually only find the first book in stores) and couldn't believe how many hundreds of characters, plot twists, other worlds and just complete awesomeness was in these books.

So, that being said... Has anyone read these wonderful books? If so, discuss...

♦Movie vs. Books
♦Favorite characters?
♦Favorite scenes/chapters/books?
♦And do you think it's a crime that these books are so unheard of?

Feel free to post even if you haven't read the books... I'll try and encourage you as much as I can to go out and read them!

One Last Note: The book 'Wicked' is not included in this topic. It is not based on the original material. Plus, 'Wicked' already has a thread of it's very own. Thank you.

Someone posted a couple of links for anyone whose interested in reading the Oz books, if it's easier for you to read them for free online. Thanks a lot, Dreamsicle Crush! heart

Dreamsicle Crush

Okay, so here is my advice, since it is hard to find the actual books. Why not try the e-book version? I know, I prefer to have the read deal in my hands to snuggle up and read, but you can get them free on several different websites. They are in the public domain now and there is nothing illegal about it. Try these sites for the Oz books, as well as many more.
http://manybooks.net/
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

And here's another link, with every OZ book written by Baum: Oz Books by Frank Baum

The Map of Oz

Munchkins are not actually tiny little people. They're the same size as everyone else in Oz. I don't know why the MGM movie decided to make them all midgets. stare
Also, the word 'Munchkin' only refers to little people because of the popularity of the movie. The word was originally made up by Frank Baum.


In the books, Dorothy has short, blonde hair, and she's 10, not a teenager.


Glinda is not a witch, as the movie suggests. She is a Sorceress, and the ruler of the South Kingdom of Oz.

[i T r e c]

Wow.. There was seriously a book series? Awesome. :3


AND, MGM has to make it a good plot, being an evil witch trying to get rid of some girl. Haven't you noticed that? xD

[Kelly Lovly]

I think that Munchkins were portrayed as little people in the movie merely because of their name.

Some book novelizations, particularly the ones from children's books, sometimes take things literally.
xD;

[Princess Ozma of Oz]

Mysterious-Mango

I think that Munchkins were portrayed as little people in the movie merely because of their name.

Some book novelizations, particularly the ones from children's books, sometimes take things literally.
xD;

Well actually, on that note, it was the original MGM movie that made the name 'Munchkin' popular, and now we use it today to describe little people, because that's how they were depicted in the movie. It was Frank Baum who actually made up that word for his book. wink

[i T r e c]

Hehe... That figures.

[Phantomhorse1810]

YES YES YES!!!!!! I've made an Oz thread, but it died. sad I could not find anyone who liked them. You my fellow Oz lover are Tip, or as he/she now is ruler of Oz, Ozma. My favorite character is Jack Pumpkinhead, I just love him! By far the best character.
Quote from Visiters from Oz,

"Well, I am sorry for you all," said Jack. "But as long as I can remain handsome, the rest of you may console yourselves by gazing upon me."

"True," growled the Sawhorse. "Probably that boy meant nothing at all when he told me this morning that the Pumpkinhead reminded him of pies-an'-things. And he said you scared his pet cat into fits."

"I? With my winning smile?" demanded Jack in a worried voice.

"Yes," gruffly answered the Sawhorse, as he strolled away and left them.
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One of my favorite conversations in an Oz book. You have to love Jack, just look at my profile! I've dedicated my Avatar to Jack as well, but I have work to do on it. here are the other two.
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(Woggle bug speaking) "For instance, were I to ride upon this Saw-Horse, he would not only be an animal he would become an equipage. For he would then be a horse-and-buggy."

At this the Scarecrow gave a gasp and the Tin Woodman stopped short and looked reproachfully at the Woggle-Bug. At the same time the Saw-Horse loudly snorted his derision; and even the Pumpkinhead put up his hand to hide the smile which, because it was carved upon his face, he could not change to a frown.
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Jack was not especially pleased with this idea; but he submitted to having his left leg amputated by the Tin Woodman and whittled down to fit the left leg of the Saw-Horse. Nor was the Saw-Horse especially pleased with the operation, either; for he growled a good deal about being "butchered," as he called it, and afterward declared that the new leg was a disgrace to a respectable Saw-Horse.

"I beg you to be more careful in your speech," said the Pumpkinhead, sharply. "Remember, if you please, that it is my leg you are abusing."

"I cannot forget it," retorted the Saw-Horse, "for it is quite as flimsy as the rest of your person."

"Flimsy! me flimsy!" cried Jack, in a rage. "How dare you call me flimsy?"

"Because you are built as absurdly as a jumping-jack," sneered the horse, rolling his knotty eyes in a vicious manner. "Even your head won't stay straight, and you never can tell whether you are looking backwards or forwards!"
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I have to feel bad for Jack when he is insulted, but the fact that he is still smiling makes me smile, too. I am once again so happy to have found a fellow 'Ozian.' To be truthful I've only read l. Frank Baum's writing, not the other authors.

[Princess Ozma of Oz]

To Phantomhorse1810,
So glad to meet another Oz fan!! And aside from Ozma, Jack is pretty much my favorite character!! ^^ But I love so many characters... Betsy Bobbin, Glinda, Sawhorse, Jinjur.... The list goes on and on!
This is my absolute favorite scene in the second book, (and possibly the whole series, lol) that makes me laugh everytime... It's when Jack and the Scarecrow meet for the first time, and they seem to be convinced that they can't understand each other language, so they bring in Jellia Jamb (also one of my fav characters) to help them out.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The King was the first to speak. After regarding Jack for some minutes he said, in a tone of wonder:

"Where on earth did you come from, and how do you happen to be alive?"

"I beg your Majesty's pardon," returned the Pumpkinhead; "but I do not understand you."
"What don't you understand?" asked the Scarecrow.
"Why, I don't understand your language. You see, I came from the Country of the Gillikins, so that I am a foreigner."
"Ah, to be sure!" exclaimed the Scarecrow. "I myself speak the language of the Munchkins, which is also the language of the Emerald City. But you, I suppose, speak the language of the Pumpkinheads?"
"Exactly so, your Majesty" replied the other, bowing; "so it will be impossible for us to understand one another."
"That is unfortunate, certainly," said the Scarecrow, thoughtfully. "We must have an interpreter."
"What is an interpreter?" asked Jack.
"A person who understands both my language and your own. When I say anything, the interpreter can tell you what I mean; and when you say anything the interpreter can tell me what you mean. For the interpreter can speak both languages as well as understand them."
"That is certainly clever," said Jack, greatly pleased at finding so simple a way out of the difficulty. So the Scarecrow commanded the Soldier with the Green Whiskers to search among his people until he found one who understood the language of the Gillikins as well as the language of the Emerald City, and to bring that person to him at once.
When the Soldier had departed the Scarecrow said: "Won't you take a chair while we are waiting?"
"Your Majesty forgets that I cannot understand you," replied the Pumpkinhead. "If you wish me to sit down you must make a sign for me to do so." The Scarecrow came down from his throne and rolled an armchair to a position behind the Pumpkinhead. Then he gave Jack a sudden push that sent him sprawling upon the cushions in so awkward a fashion that he doubled up like a jackknife, and had hard work to untangle himself.
"Did you understand that sign?" asked His Majesty, politely.
"Perfectly," declared Jack, reaching up his arms to turn his head to the front, the pumpkin having twisted around upon the stick that supported it.
"You seem hastily made," remarked the Scarecrow, watching Jack's efforts to straighten himself. "Not more so than your Majesty," was the frank reply.
"There is this difference between us," said the Scarecrow, "that whereas I will bend, but not break, you will break, but not bend."
At this moment the soldier returned leading a young girl by the hand. She seemed very sweet and modest, having a pretty face and beautiful green eyes and hair. A dainty green silk skirt reached to her knees, showing silk stockings embroidered with pea-pods, and green satin slippers with bunches of lettuce for decorations instead of bows or buckles. Upon her silken waist clover leaves were embroidered, and she wore a jaunty little jacket trimmed with sparkling emeralds of a uniform size.
"Why, it's little Jellia Jamb!" exclaimed the Scarecrow, as the green maiden bowed her pretty head before him. "Do you understand the language of the Gillikins, my dear?"
"Yes, your Majesty, she answered, "for I was born in the North Country."
"Then you shall be our interpreter," said the Scarecrow, "and explain to this Pumpkinhead all that I say, and also explain to me all that he says. Is this arrangement satisfactory?" he asked, turning toward his guest.
"Very satisfactory indeed," was the reply. "Then ask him, to begin with," resumed the Scarecrow, turning to Jellia, "what brought him to the Emerald City." But instead of this the girl, who had been staring at Jack, said to him: "You are certainly a wonderful creature. Who made you?"
"A boy named Tip," answered Jack.
"What does he say?" inquired the Scarecrow. "My ears must have deceived me. What did he say?"
"He says that your Majesty's brains seem to have come loose," replied the girl, demurely. The Scarecrow moved uneasily upon his throne, and felt of his head with his left hand.
"What a fine thing it is to understand two different languages," he said, with a perplexed sigh. "Ask him, my dear, if he has any objection to being put in jail for insulting the ruler of the Emerald City."
"I didn't insult you!" protested Jack, indignantly.
"Tut -- tut!" cautioned the Scarecrow "wait, until Jellia translates my speech. What have we got an interpreter for, if you break out in this rash way?"
"All right, I'll wait," replied the Pumpkinhead, in a surly tone -- although his face smiled as genially as ever. "Translate the speech, young woman."
"His Majesty inquires if you are hungry, said Jellia.
"Oh, not at all!" answered Jack, more pleasantly, "for it is impossible for me to eat."
"It's the same way with me," remarked the Scarecrow. "What did he say, Jellia, my dear?"
"He asked if you were aware that one of your eyes is painted larger than the other," said the girl, mischievously.
"Don't you believe her, your Majesty," cried Jack.
"Oh, I don't," answered the Scarecrow, calmly. Then, casting a sharp look at the girl, he asked:
"Are you quite certain you understand the languages of both the Gillikins and the Munchkins?"
"Quite certain, your Majesty," said Jellia Jamb, trying hard not to laugh in the face of royalty.
"Then how is it that I seem to understand them myself?" inquired the Scarecrow.
"Because they are one and the same!" declared the girl, now laughing merrily. "Does not your Majesty know that in all the land of Oz but one language is spoken?"
"Is it indeed so?" cried the Scarecrow, much relieved to hear this; "then I might easily have been my own interpreter!"

* * * * * * * * * * * *
This scene always makes me laugh. XD

[happy_squirrel]

I've only read thefirst book so far but I plan on reading the rest. It is kind of annoying that you can't find the rest of the series easily but I will find them eventually. I was quite suprised how different the story was from the movie but I still enjoy it; I can't help it, I am musical obsessed.

[Phantomhorse1810]

That is a good sence. Oz is always wonderful. You are an island in a sea of dark waves for me, no one and I repete it has read more than the first book, which is a total of 4 people. I ask everyone I have conversations with, my least favorite reply is "There ar books???" Still, yay for you!

Not that I encourage this, but The Marvelous Land of Oz is all over the internet along with The Visiters from Oz. I do admit that I read Visiters from Oz on the computer since I can't find it for a price my mom will pay. Still on amazon there is a complete L. Frank Baum "Oz" book with all 14 books and Little Wizard Stories of Oz. Borders also has all 14 in two volumes, so I hope this helps people find them. wink

[Princess Ozma of Oz]

happy_squirrel

I've only read thefirst book so far but I plan on reading the rest. It is kind of annoying that you can't find the rest of the series easily but I will find them eventually. I was quite suprised how different the story was from the movie but I still enjoy it; I can't help it, I am musical obsessed.

Yeah, they're definitely not easy to find... I just ordered them all from Borders, since Borders doesn't charge you anything to special order things to the store. ^_^
The only other book besides the first one that I found on the shelf was the second book, which surprised me. After I bought that copy, however, I've never seen another one. -__-;

[Phantomhorse1810]

Well I have 3 copies of The Marvelous Land of Oz. One is in a collection of 15 books (easy to find), the next is in 2 volumes from Borders with 14 books total, and the third one is a copy of just that book from a thrift shop. That thrift shop where I got the first two books sparked my intrest in Oz.

[Princess Ozma of Oz]

Phantomhorse1810

Well I have 3 copies of The Marvelous Land of Oz. One is in a collection of 15 books (easy to find), the next is in 2 volumes from Borders with 14 books total, and the third one is a copy of just that book from a thrift shop. That thrift shop where I got the first two books sparked my intrest in Oz.

So, which of the books is your favorite? Mine is 'Tik-Tok of Oz', because it introduces Betsy Bobbin, Hank, and has lots of Tik-Tok, all three some of my very favorite characters. In that book, they also journeyed through some of my favorite worlds. ^__^

[Phantomhorse1810]

Princess Ozma of Oz

Phantomhorse1810

Well I have 3 copies of The Marvelous Land of Oz. One is in a collection of 15 books (easy to find), the next is in 2 volumes from Borders with 14 books total, and the third one is a copy of just that book from a thrift shop. That thrift shop where I got the first two books sparked my intrest in Oz.

So, which of the books is your favorite? Mine is 'Tik-Tok of Oz', because it introduces Betsy Bobbin, Hank, and has lots of Tik-Tok, all three some of my very favorite characters. In that book, they also journeyed through some of my favorite worlds. ^__^

Well my favorite characters are Jack Pumpkinhead (top favorite), then The Shaggy Man, The Tin Woodman, Tik-Tok, Cap'n Bill, and the I will say Ozma. All, but Jack are hard choices, since Jack will always be my favorite.

Still my favorite books are: The Marvelous Land of Oz (Jack was introduced), The Road to Oz, Tic-Tok of Oz, Visitors from Oz, and Glinda of Oz.

Tik-Tok is such a fun character, but since he doesn't feel (I hope you get what I mean), so I can't put him as my top favorite. Still a loyal and true character. Jack is a Pumpkinhead and is just kind. He also tries to figure things out and is smarter than he gets credit for (look at 'His Magesty the Scarcrow' in The Marvelous Land of Oz).

[Phantomhorse1810]

I'm GOING to keep this fourm alive. Any opinions on authors after L. Frank Baum.

[Princess Ozma of Oz]

Phantomhorse1810

Princess Ozma of Oz

Phantomhorse1810

Well I have 3 copies of The Marvelous Land of Oz. One is in a collection of 15 books (easy to find), the next is in 2 volumes from Borders with 14 books total, and the third one is a copy of just that book from a thrift shop. That thrift shop where I got the first two books sparked my intrest in Oz.

So, which of the books is your favorite? Mine is 'Tik-Tok of Oz', because it introduces Betsy Bobbin, Hank, and has lots of Tik-Tok, all three some of my very favorite characters. In that book, they also journeyed through some of my favorite worlds. ^__^

Well my favorite characters are Jack Pumpkinhead (top favorite), then The Shaggy Man, The Tin Woodman, Tik-Tok, Cap'n Bill, and the I will say Ozma. All, but Jack are hard choices, since Jack will always be my favorite.

Still my favorite books are: The Marvelous Land of Oz (Jack was introduced), The Road to Oz, Tic-Tok of Oz, Visitors from Oz, and Glinda of Oz.

Tik-Tok is such a fun character, but since he doesn't feel (I hope you get what I mean), so I can't put him as my top favorite. Still a loyal and true character. Jack is a Pumpkinhead and is just kind. He also tries to figure things out and is smarter than he gets credit for (look at 'His Magesty the Scarcrow' in The Marvelous Land of Oz).

Have you seen the 1986 Disney film 'Return to Oz'? If so, what are your thoughts on that movie?