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I didn’t pick up The Wonderful Wizard of Oz because I was feeling nostalgic or trying to revisit a childhood favorite. I read it because I got caught up in the recent Wicked movie conversations — the kind that happen casually at work and then linger in your head afterward.
A coworker mentioned she had read The Wizard of Oz as an adult and was surprised by how much more was in the book compared to the movie. She also casually added that there were many books in the series. That part stopped me. I had no idea this story extended beyond the version most of us know from pop culture, so I decided to start at the beginning.
What I Expected vs. What I Actually Got
I expected a simplified, familiar story — something very close to the movie, just written down. I assumed it would feel thin or predictable.
What I actually got was a fuller, more episodic journey that felt quieter and more deliberate than the film. The book doesn’t rush toward big emotional moments. Instead, it moves from one strange, imaginative situation to the next, almost like a series of connected folktales. Some scenes felt familiar, but others were clearly missing from the movie adaptation, and that was where the book became most interesting to me.
That said, it’s important to be honest: this book was written over 100 years ago, and some of the language is racist and derogatory. Reading it now requires context and awareness. It didn’t ruin the reading experience for me, but it did require pausing, noticing, and remembering when — and by whom — this story was written. I think it’s something adult readers especially should go into prepared for.
How It Felt to Read
This is a short, easy read, and that’s not a criticism. The pacing is steady and uncomplicated. I never felt overwhelmed or emotionally drained while reading it. Instead, it felt calm and curious — like listening to a story unfold rather than being pulled through a plot.
Because it’s a children’s book, the emotional beats are simple and direct. That simplicity actually made it more enjoyable for me. I wasn’t reading for tension or twists; I was reading to see how the full version of this world worked. By the end, I felt more settled than stirred — and genuinely curious about what happens next in the series.
Who This Book Is For (and Who It Isn’t)
I think this book is a good fit if:
- You’re curious about classic stories beyond their movie versions
- You enjoy short, episodic chapters
- You like reading children’s literature as an adult
- You’re interested in seeing how long-running fictional worlds began
It may not be for you if:
- You’re looking for modern language or themes
- You struggle with historical context or dated wording
- You want fast-paced, emotionally intense storytelling
Final Thoughts
I’m glad I read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Not because it changed how I see the story forever, but because it gave me a clearer picture of where it all started. It felt like opening the door to a much larger world — one I didn’t even realize existed beyond the movie.
I’m planning to continue the series, and that alone says a lot. If you’ve ever wondered what the original Oz story is really like on the page, this is a gentle, interesting place to begin.
