The Real Wizard of Oz: The Life and Times of L. Frank Baum
by Rebecca LoncraineThis book drove me nuts, but it was ultimately somewhat enjoyable. As the title states, this is a life
and times book. My main gripe was the way the "times" were tied into the story.
She's like: "[Baum] might have went to" this thing. Or: "might have" seen this story in the news. "Must have" thought ____.
I hated the constant speculation about what he might have done. I'm no
Barry Paris but I believe there has to be a better way to get that idea across without sounding so goofy. Regarding a road that Baum saw as a child, which was made out of hemlock:
"However, the planks became worn.... and the old planks frequently had to be replaced. Fresh hemlock is a liight yellowish color... the famous Plank Road would have curved, like a yellow band, through the countryside." REALLY? OK WOW IT'S GREAT TO KNOW ONE TIME WHEN HE WAS A KID HE MIGHT HAVE SEEN A ROAD THAT WAS SORT OF YELLOW SHERLOCK LONCRAINE.
Despite these glaring flaws, I was satisfied by my reading experience, because I had never read a book about Baum's personality and the chronology of his writing career. I didn't find this book a chore to read - in other words a child would enjoy it, or a normal person could read it in one sitting.
I want to say something nice to balance out my criticism. The cover design is nice. Red metallic ink. The glimmer of ruby slippers on the big screen must have looked a lot like red metallic ink to the designer when the designer was young.
PS - Baltimore: If you want to read this or
any of the previous 3 books I "reviewed", I am giving them to
Book Thing or to you personally, so you can enjoy them for free.
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