"...day dreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and your brain-machinery whizzing -- are likely to lead to the betterment of the word." - L. Frank Baum
The awesomely vivid imagination of L. Frank Baum gave life to thirteen (yes, thirteen) sequels of the popular children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900). Somewhat bizarrely, I've jumped in at number eleven in the series, The Lost Princess of Oz (1917) and now I must rant and rave (more raving, less ranting) about said experience. When ultimately comparing The Lost Princess of Oz to the famed first novel, the characters are still flamboyant and (for the most part) likable if not more so, which seems incredible after sixteen-years and ten predecessors. The Frogman and 'the little brown bear' Corporal Waddle are especially cool as are many of the other larger-than-life supporting animal characters; they ensure comedy at times and even a touch of philosophy. Familiar company – Dorothy, Toto, The Cowardly Lion and The Wizard are back, who in varying degrees are defunct or different than they once were, merely serving as token characters, no doubt to keep children from the emerging last century contented. It is clear that Baum liked to create newness rather than retread, despite familiar themes and of course the vast number of volumes in the Oz series. That said, despite my initial surprise and hesitance at Toto being able to speak, I enjoyed his protest at losing his growl. Endearing and bizarre all at once, as Baum’s characters often are. Yes, you've guessed it, there is a huge theme of individuality and identity neatly wrapped with morality for children (and for some adults too!) to read in between the lines if they so wish to. Dorothy is kind of dull and bratty and don’t even get me started on Scraps (The Patchwork Girl who has an entire novel dedicated to her some years earlier). Throughout their journey quest to recover all the stolen magic from Oz (and Princess Ozma), the Frogman seems like one of perhaps only a few characters who actually discovered something about himself and grew as a (person?) frog, subsequently. The narrative kept me turning the pages despite my underwhelming understanding and appreciation of Princess Ozma – that serves me right for jumping so far ahead. 'Princess of Oz is more ambitious than the first book which endears it as well as stops it entering the realms of being a classic. There is perhaps too large of an ensemble cast and the non-linear narrative and different perspectives make it less iconic as well as previously established characters don't quite come to life. In spite of this, personally missing sixteen-years of Oz history and Baum writing many of these sequels much out of a financial dependency The Lost Princess of Oz is perhaps still more re-readable than the original classic. I am near the end of the book, so must confess I am reviewing a book I haven’t finished reading yet. I will however tell you on the off-chance things go wrong. I didn't really need to tell you that so surely I must have taken a dip in The Truth Pond like our dear character the Frogman. For all ages -- enjoy. Update: By no means a spec-fabulous ending, but still enjoyable.
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