The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - L. Frank Baum

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

By L. Frank Baum

  • Release Date: 1900-05-17
  • Genre: Fantasy
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 10,743 Ratings

Description

An Apple Books Classic edition.

You’ve seen the iconic 1939 movie, but do you know about the talking field mice, the Winkies, and the Witch of the North that appear in the original book? L. Frank Baum’s beloved classic - the first title in the Oz series - is more complex and intricate than the movie, but just as colorful and fun. The story features a large cast of enchanting characters and a thrilling heroic quest.

Upon the book’s release in 1900, Baum wrote, “It aspires to be a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heart-aches and nightmares are left out.” Mission accomplished. Readers of all ages immediately fell in love with the story, demanding sequels, and Baum obliged, penning more than a dozen installments before his death in 1919.

Reviews

  • Curiosity satisfied!

    4
    By GingerSnap08282008
    I am thankful to have my curiosity fulfilled after 50 years since I was told the 1939 classic movie left out parts of the original Wizard of Oz storybook. The movie follows the book very closely until the adventurers come back to find the Wizard is a humbug, where the book continues with the other lands of Oz. No wonder there was so much demand in the early 1900s for followup with more stories! It’s very easy reading, even 120 years later. However, it is too heavy on the concept of ‘beauty = good and ugly = bad’. Reading aloud to the kiddos, I will tone that down. Next, the very end is the same in that Dorothy uses the magic shoes to get home, but it’s so sudden, I’m left wanting a followup on Dorothy’s life. Thankfully, there is no drivel about “never looking farther than your own front door”! However, I like the other moral of the movie better, the way the wizard presents the gifts to Dorothy‘s companions. Thank you, Apple, for the classic books!
  • Ok

    5
    By gvvybbubuub
    Ok
  • 5 stars

    5
    By janice karan beal
    That was the most beautiful book
  • A classic!

    5
    By TrueBlueGirl-in-NJ
    A must-read introduction to the Magical Land of Oz. There are many more episodes/events that happen in the book than were shown in any of the various film adapttions. Start here, and move to Book #2 the Marvelous Land of Oz, and Book #3 Ozma of Oz….
  • Amazing, people who love fantasy im sure they’ll love this book

    5
    By Deafening Artisian 882
    I loved it -second book I finished here..- I would recommend it
  • Read to my 4, 3, and 2-yr old

    5
    By ConeUntoChrist
    Just finished reading this to my 4, 3, and 2-year old and we loved it! Such a beautiful book with beautiful lessons of kindness, sacrifice, friendship, and returning to home!
  • Adventure wrote well

    5
    By Cubanoso
    A fantastic adventure that enthralls and edifies. Not only is the book filled with life lessons, but the writing is top notch. English as she is written. Highly recommend.
  • Great

    5
    By KittyMoonMonroe
    Good book
  • Test

    5
    By gujjydthddtg6734
    How does this work.
  • Screw you Apple

    1
    By Thisissodamnstupid
    They keep trying to charge me $22 for a “free” book. 0 stars if I could

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