The Royal Book of Oz - Ruth Plumly Thompson Book Review

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Review Summary

The Scarecrow wants to know his origins, so he sneaks off to the beanpole in the cornfield where Dorothy found him. Digging there, he falls down a long hole to the Silver Islands, where the people welcome him wildly as the spirit of their long-lost Emperor Chang Wang Woe. Delighted at first, the Scarecrow finds ruling is not much fun, and his "sons" are plotting against him with the help of the magical Grand Gheewizard. Meanwhile, Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion search for the Scarecrow and have many adventures, including a visit to the Great Grand and Mighty Slow Kingdom of Pokes (where they meet a new friend, the brave knight Sir Hokus, and have to sing their way to escape), an attack by the candy giant Bangladore, a stay in Fix City (where all the furniture and food move for the benefit of the inhabitants who stay in one spot), and the acquaintance of the Doubtful Dromedary and the Comfortable Camel. Thompson published this first Oz pastiche in 1921, shortly after the death of Baum, and her version is a decent attempt to carry on the tradition.
David Loftus, Resident Scholar

Detailed literary breakdown of The Royal Book of Oz

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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40%

Tone of book - very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - part earth & part fantasy world
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story Yes
Plotlets: - exploring a CUTESY fantasy world
Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14)

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - politician/elected ruler
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - healthy but a geeky weakling

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - mage/magician
Has magical powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - can cast all sorts of spells
Eccentric: Yes - obsessed - deluded
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Setting
Terrain - Water - Domed/Underground City
Earth setting: - 20th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript

Most similar books to The Royal Book of Oz
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).

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