A series that all lovers of fantasy they should know… Here because!
Lyman Frank Baum wrote many Oz books: thirteen.
In Italy the first is especially famous, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. To enjoy the work without losing anything in the translation, I decided to read this masterpiece of fantasy literature and its sequel in the original, The Wonderful Land of Oz (o The wonderful kingdom of OZ, depending on the editions).
Here are some comments on the first two books of the saga, that result much rawer and more adult than famous film filmed in 1939.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
In the preface of this imaginative work, the author sets himself the ambitious task of making readers dream by transmitting the enchantment of ancient fairy tales. Well, Having completed the novel I must admit that the story does not disappoint expectations.
As you continue reading, It's easy to understand why it was so successful: It is a book that speaks to both children and adults.
Children like it for the strange and varied characters, for their adventures and the wonders of that world divided into four kingdoms where everything is one color. In the land of the Munkins, trees, meadows and robes are blue; in the land of Gillinkins they are purple; for Winkies the color is yellow; per i Quadlings rosso.
The big ones, Instead, they appreciate ironic dialogues (of a comedy nonsense), often brilliant, and the strength of the characters. Paradoxically, the only human character (Dorota) it's the dullest one, the one that does not evolve; while Leo, the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman grow from page to page, and they capture the reader's sympathy with the power of the dreams they wish to realize.
There are also some strong scenes, like the one where the Tin Woodman massacres his enemies by cutting off their heads. His own personal story is bloody: born as a man of flesh and blood, due to a curse he was forced to amputate all the parts of his body one after the other, until they are replaced entirely with tin.
Having to choose, my favorite character is the Scarecrow, who learns about the world thanks to the adventures experienced with his new friends.
A story full of enchantment and panache, in which the reading proceeds quickly until the famous final twist.
Curiosities about Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Curiosity 1: one of the most particular scenarios is the Porcelain City, from which comes the character of the porcelain doll that appears in one of the last films made on the Oz saga, that is to say Oz the Great and Powerful.
Curiosity 2: the Witch of the West, unlike the iconography of cinema, it's not green. Green are the inhabitants of Emerald City, which appear of this color thanks to the glasses that the magician makes anyone who enters the realm wear.
The Wonderful Land of Oz
The second chapter of the saga, in my opinion, It's as good as the first one. It opens with a memorable scene: the young Tip, as a joke, builds a man with a pumpkin head (Jack), that the old sorceress Mombi transforms into a sentient being with the Powder of Life.
Jack experiences it all for the first time, just like the Scarecrow on the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Unlike him, But, it does not become intelligent with experience. He never understands when the right time to speak and act is, He's in constant fear that his pumpkin head is going to break and he's hilarious with that perpetual smile on his face..
Tip and Jack join the Scarecrow. The latter, became king at the end of the first book, he was overthrown by the young Jinjur and her army of girls, whose sole purpose is to appropriate the jewels of the Emerald City.
Towards the end of the story our heroes ask the good witch Glinda for help, That with a twist equal to the first book makes old Mombi confess where Ozma is hiding, legitimate heir to the throne. Another shadow is cast here on the Wizard of Oz, guilty of having separated little Ozma from her father Pastoria (then reigning king), and then handed it over to Mombi when he was still an infant.
Ozma can thus take possession of his rightful throne, while the Scarecrow becomes Royal Treasurer of Winkie Kingdom, ruled by the Tin Woodman.
Curiosities about Wonderful Land of Oz
Curiosity 1: Ozma appears inside Fables di Bill Willingham, comic book gem that I recommend everyone to read.
Curiosity 2: Jack is also a character of Sandman, Shooter series of the sublime Neil Gaiman. In this transposition by Vertigo, But, it is much more savvy than the original.
Curiosity 3: Jack, Gump, Mombi and Ozma can be seen in the 1985 film In the wonderful world of Oz, rather dark version of Baum's story. I confess to you that I I adore this movie!
