Key Takeaways
- The Wizard of Oz was an entertainment franchise before franchises were a concept.
- The original 14-book series by Baum is a rich tapestry of dark fantasy with bizarre characters and settings.
- Many popular adaptations are based on Baum’s books, like Return to Oz, which borrowed heavily from “Ozma of Oz.”
As a long-time fan of the whimsical and enchanting world of Oz, I find myself captivated by the rich history and intricate stories that each book in this series presents. Each title, from “The Tin Woodman of Oz” to “Glinda of Oz,” offers a unique and engaging narrative that delves deeper into the magical land of Oz and its beloved characters.
The enchanting world of Oz as we know it today from “The Wizard of Oz” was actually an upcoming franchise before its time. It all started with Frank L. Baum’s novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” which spawned a 14-book series about the magical land of Oz. Not many of these stories have been brought to life on television or film adaptations.
These books, classified as young adult novels, still offer intrigue for adults due to their dark fantasy elements and unusual, sometimes grotesque creatures and settings. The original works by Baum form only a segment of the extensive collection called “The Famous Forty,” which excludes spinoffs, compilations, or books by authors other than L. Frank Baum recognized as genuine Oz books by his family trust.
14 The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz
Release Date: May 17, 1900
- Illustrator: W. W. Denslow
- Publishing Company: George M. Hill Company
“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” was one of the pioneering works in the dark fantasy genre, and many years later, the movie version also paved new paths in cinema. Despite the abundance of media inspired by The Wizard of Oz, a significant portion of this material is based on this original book, which narrates the now-familiar tale about Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto being transported from gray Kansas to the vibrant land of Oz.
13 The Marvelous Land Of Oz
Release Date: July 1904
- Illustrator: John R. Neill
- Publishing Company: Reilly & Britton
This book is titled “The Marvelous Land of Oz: A Continuation of the Wondrous Exploits of the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman,” as the name indicates, it delves into more exciting escapades featuring two beloved characters from the initial edition.
It also introduces the characters of Princess Ozma and Jack Pumpkinhead, who appear extensively in later books and also make an appearance in the film Return to Oz.
12 Ozma Of Oz
Release Date: July 30, 1907
- Illustrator: John R. Neill
- Publishing Company: Reilly & Britton
The story in this book begins with Dorothy going to Australia, which makes the idea of the movie “20th Century Oz” being a parody of “The Wizard of Oz” less surprising. Even though the live-action film “Return to Oz” was meant to be a continuation of the original 1939 movie, it uses many elements from “Ozma of Oz”. For instance, Dorothy has a chicken coop and a bird named Billina as companions instead of Toto.
11 Dorothy And The Wizard In Oz
Release Date: June 18, 1908
- Illustrator: John R. Neill
- Publishing Company: Reilly & Britton
In my gaming world, I find myself embarking on a sequel of sorts, following closely behind events depicted in my previous adventure. After wrapping up an exciting escapade Down Under, I find myself setting foot in sunny California. However, fortune seems to have a twist in store as an unexpected earthquake plunges me back into the magical land of Oz!
10 The Road To Oz
Release Date: July 10, 1909
- Illustrator: John R. Neill
- Publishing Company: Reilly & Britton
A lively book, perhaps penned primarily for promotional purposes instead of artistic ones, may contain familiar storyline aspects to those who’ve watched “Oz The Great and Powerful.
In an unconventional manner compared to past instances, Dorothy unexpectedly finds herself back in Oz. This time, instead of a tornado, she makes a simple mistake by leading a passerby astray while showing them the path to a nearby village. Eventually, her journey leads her to the Emerald City where she attends Princess Ozma’s birthday celebration.
9 The Emerald City Of Oz
Release Date: July 20, 1910
- Illustrator: John R. Neill
- Publishing Company: Reilly & Britton
In the aftermath of the tornado, Dorothy learns that her aunt and uncle are struggling financially due to the destruction. To help them, our protagonist uses some connections and arranges for them to relocate to Oz. Yet, tranquility is short-lived as the Gnome King plans an assault on the city through a system of subterranean passages.
Originally, L. Frank Baum planned for The Emerald City of Oz to be the concluding tale in the series, and he employed magical means to barricade Oz from our everyday world as a fitting finale.
8 The Patchwork Girl of Oz
Release Date: July 1, 1913
- Illustrator: John R. Neill
- Publishing Company: Reilly & Britton
L. Frank Baum restarted the Oz series in this book due to real-life financial difficulties, which is one reason why all the characters are entirely fresh. Previously, the Land of Oz had been closed off by magic at the end of the previous book, but Baum provided a prologue that sets up the events of this story.
Dorothy Gale directly communicated this extraordinary tale to him through a telegram, mentioning that she’d received permission from Princess Ozma for its disclosure.
7 Tik-Tok Of Oz
Release Date: June 19, 1914
- Illustrator: John R. Neill
- Publishing Company: Reilly & Britton
In the movie “Return to Oz,” Tik-Tok serves as a secondary character, and the plot of this book draws partially from a stage production inspired by “Ozma of Oz.” Consequently, it presents part of the same tale but seen through Tik-Tok’s point of view.
In addition, we have a fresh main character named Betsy Bobbin, hailing from Oklahoma. She finds herself stranded in an even more peculiar region of Oz alongside her trusty mule, Hank, after experiencing a dramatic shipwreck.
6 The Scarecrow of Oz
Release Date: July 16, 1915
- Illustrator: John R. Neill
- Publishing Company: Reilly & Britton
As a gamer myself, I can confidently say that this game was undeniably Baum’s cherished masterpiece within the series. The process of crafting it must have been an exhilarating journey, given the eccentric characters and their bizarre escapades. You’ve got the Scarecrow, Glinda, and a host of others, embarking on a mission to vanquish the malevolent King Krewl of Jinxland.
This time around, their companions include a seafaring man known as Captain Bill, who sports a wooden leg, and a young girl named Trot.
5 Rinkitink in Oz
Release Date: June 20, 1916
- Illustrator: John R. Neill
- Publishing Company: Reilly & Britton
Initially penned as an unrelated book by Frank Baum, this tale eventually transformed into the tenth instalment of the original series. The protagonist is Prince Inga from Pingaree, embarking on a journey to rescue his destined kingdom from the grasp of an aggressive tribe of warriors. He receives aid from King Rinkitink, three mystical pearls, and a loyal goat companion.
4 The Lost Princess of Oz
Release Date: June 5, 1917
- Illustrator: John R. Neill
- Publishing Company: Reilly & Britton
The initial novel set within a recognizable Oz that was separated from reality by magic, finds Dorothy awakening to discover Princess Ozma has disappeared. Cinephiles familiar with Return to Oz will notice this plot point, but the remainder of the storyline in the book unfolds distinctly differently.
Additionally, similar figures such as the Wizard and Glinda discover that their enchanted artifacts or essential devices are also mysteriously absent.
3 The Tin Woodman of Oz
Release Date: May 13, 1918
- Illustrator: John R. Neill
- Publishing Company: Reilly & Britton
This book in the series has an exceptionally lengthy and intriguing title compared to others: “The Tin Woodman of Oz: A Story Depicting the Incredible Journey Experienced by the Tin Woodman, Accompanied by Woot the Wanderer, the Scarecrow of Oz, and Polychrome, Daughter of the Rainbow.
The initial novel’s prologue offers a somber and unsettling account of how the Tin Woodman, originally named Nick Chopper, transformed into a being of tin, and the young woman who took away his human heart. Having regained his heart, he embarks on a journey to locate her once more.
2 The Magic of Oz
Release Date: June 7, 1919
- Illustrator: John R. Neill
- Publishing Company: Reilly & Britton
The first Oz book published after Baum’s death was “The Magic of Oz”, and unfortunately, he passed away just a month before its release. Glinda and the Wizard had established rules that only they could use magic for everyone’s safety in Oz. However, one munchkin stumbles upon a hidden magical word.
It falls upon Dorothy to prevent her son Kiki from utilizing a mysterious term that alters people into various animal forms.
1 Glinda of Oz
Release Date: July 10th, 1920
- Illustrator: John R. Neill
- Publishing Company: Reilly & Britton
In Frank Baum’s original series, the fourteenth and final book, titled “Glinda of Oz,” tells a tale where Glinda intervenes to resolve a crisis involving Dorothy and Ozma caught in a politically volatile region. However, there was debate about the alterations made to the manuscript during Baum’s absence by publishers and editors, as some changes appeared minor and didn’t seem to significantly enhance the story.
In 1921, Ruth Plumly Thompson picked up where the original author left off and continued the storyline with “The Royal Book of Oz,” which became the 15th installment in the renowned Forty series.
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2024-10-06 11:04