The Marvelous Land of Oz

Written by L. Frank Baum

Narrated by Liza Ross

Some people do not know that The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was actually the first of a 13-story series. The Marvelous Land of Oz, the second story, brings the Scarecrow and the Tin Man into new adventures in the Land of Oz. In this story, which is as equally entertaining as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Tin Man and Scarecrow are persuaded to help out a young boy who finds himself in difficulty. There is also flying furniture among the oddities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks
• Release date: Feb 1, 2009
• ISBN: 9789629548421

L. Frank Baum

L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) was an American author of children’s literature and pioneer of fantasy fiction. He demonstrated an active imagination and a skill for writing from a young age, encouraged by his father who bought him the printing press with which he began to publish several journals. Although he had a lifelong passion for theater, Baum found success with his novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), a self-described “modernized fairy tale” that led to thirteen sequels, inspired several stage and radio adaptations, and eventually, in 1939, was immortalized in the classic film starring Judy Garland.

Reviews for The Marvelous Land of Oz

[mrsbaty · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Everyone is use to the original Wizard of Oz because of the movie but the rest of the series is worth checking out if you are looking for fun children's literature. In this second book of the series, there are a lot of new, interesting characters like the Gump and the Saw-horse. Things like friendship and honesty and kindness are shown to be better than money and there is enough nonsensical fun to appeal to children. I liked it a lot!

[karin7-11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

One of the only 2 books of these I owned & read as a kid (my dad read it to me first). Not that good.

[capiam1234 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The sequel to the Wizard of Oz was another great book by Frank Baum. It wasn't exciting as the first but it keeps you moving through the land setting the stage for even further adventures in Oz.

[bryndahlquis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just about as much fun as the first Oz book! Old characters return, but new ones are also introduced who are just as amazing as the ones from the first book. A grand adventure taking the band of heroes all through Oz (and beyond) with some clever escapades and solutions. A great read for all ages!

[mirrani_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of my favorites of all of the Oz books. The conversations between the characters and the lines that come from them are some of the most memorable that I have ever read. As always, Baum's remarkable ability to tell the story of Oz continues in this book as we travel through new countries and meet new friends.There is just enough description throughout to allow the reader to make a clear picture in their mind and let the world grow inside of them. Through unique bedtime-like storytelling the adventures of the characters come across as clearly as if you were watching them happen and easily move you along on the journey with them. Anyone who has fallen in love with one of the movies needs to read all of the books to truly fall in love with all that Oz is.

[thelostentwife · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While I didn't enjoy The Marvellous Land of Oz as much as The Wizard of Oz, it still had its moments. In The Marvellous Land of Oz, Dorothy has been returned home and the Scarecrow reigns on the throne of the Emerald City. In a nearby land, a young boy, Tip, serves an old sorceress (not a witch, because those are the most powerful). Tip and the Scarecrow end up crossing paths and a whole slew of new characters are introduced - Jack Pumpkinhead, The Gump (a flying mismash of things) and others were fun to read about, but a bit.. overly silly. I don't know if it's because The Wizard of Oz is just so beloved that I overlook the cheesiness or this book was overly cheesy, but it was just a bit over the top for me. Still, it was a fun read and I'll continue to press on through my personal journey through Oz.

[robert.zimmermann · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Second in the series of Oz books and just as enjoyable as the first one. Loading the third book (audiobook) up on my iPod now. I'd say these are a little overlooked in the modern world, and should be checked out for those with a little kid still inside them somewhere.

[diwanna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Stating the obvious here, but these books have so much more depth than the movie, even thought they are short quick reads.

[hamburgerclan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I felt guilty reading this book. Well, not the book, really, but the advertising in the front of the book. In it, the Oz books are touted as nigh a foundational work of fantasy literature. Me, I've only seen the movie. I feel so... inferior. Anyway, I then read the book. This is the sequel to The Wizard of Oz. Apparently a large enough number of people nagged Mr. Baum to write it. The story follows a young boy named Tip who runs away from his guardian, a cranky old lady who dabbles in magic and has threatened to turn him into a marble statue in punishment for trying to scare her. He travels to the Emerald City and meets up with the Scarecrow, who is the current ruler, just in time to help the latter escape from an invasion by General Jinjur and her army. The two join up with an unusual assortment of companions and together they seek to restore the rightful ruler to the ol' green burg. It's an enjoyable book--quite imaginative, really. I really couldn't rave on about it like the advertising blurbs, but it's certainly worth checking out. Maybe if I read a greater number of the books, I'll be able to join the chorus of praise.--J.

[librisissimo · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Reluctant by obliging, Baum's second book about Oz is without Dorothy or the Wizard, and secondary appearances of the Scarecrow and Tin Man. he young boy Tip runs away from the evil witch Mombi, who has raised him from infancy, and either creates or encounters the fanciful Jack Pumpkinhead, the Wooden Sawhorse, and H.M. Woggle-Bug T.E.Just in case you haven't read the book: Tip is really the girl sovereign of Oz; the Wizard defeated her father and gave her to Mombi, who enchanted her -- first literary transgender? -- and is restored to her rightful form and throne at the end by Glinda. One wonders why she didn't do it sooner. Tip has no difficulty making the transition, this being a make-believe country.I had forgotten the Wizard was not such a good man as in Book 1; maybe "Wicked" is not so far off target; however, Baum "forgets" about this part in Book 3).

[rachaelboyer-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

in the kindle edition it's called the marvelous land of oz

[jedimarri · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"The Marvelous Land of Oz" is the second book that L. Frank Baum wrote about the delightful land of Oz. It came out four years after the first one because, well, he originally had no intention of writing any more! He received many letters asking for more books though, and he finally gave in and kept writing them. In "The Marvelous Land of Oz" we meet some new characters and rejoin some of our old friends. Tip, a young boy, is the main character of this book. He's grown up with a mean old sorceress, but after the accidental creation of Jack Pumpkinhead, he runs away. Tip and Jack get into many adventures on their way to the Emerald City, where the Scarecrow now rules. Unfortunately they arrive right as a bunch of girls, lead by General Jinjur, decide to take over the city!Tip and Jack ended up joining forces with the Scarecrow and the Tin Man to win back the Emerald City. Along the way a flying Gump is created, we visit with Glenda the Good Witch, and the long lost Ozma is finally found! I had a lot of fun joining this motley crew on their journey and I'm sure you will too.

[catfantastic_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

L. Frank Baum received over a thousand letters from children after writing The Wizard of Oz, and this prompted him to write the sequel, The Land of Oz, published in 1904. It's over a hundred years old now (!) but it still feels fun, fresh and magical. It's a joy to read.Tip is a young boy who lives with a mean old witch named Mombi. He runs away with two inanimate creatures magically brought to life: Jack Pumpkinhead and the wooden Saw-Horse. The trio travels to the Emerald City, now ruled by the Scarecow. However, General Jinjur is leading the Army of Revolt, an all-girl army, armed with knitting needles. The girls storm the city for jewels and ball gowns, overthrowing the Scarecrow. Tip and company then journey to the land of the Winkies, where the Tin Woodman (now named Nick Chopper) is ruling as Emperor. The group, together with the Highly Magnified and Thoroughly Educated Woggle-Bug and the poor, depressed Gump (pieced together by two sofas, a stag's head and giant leaves) set out to reclaim the Scarecrow's throne, while Jinjur recruits the help of the witch Mombi.The silliness of Jinjur's girl army is nicely countered by Glinda the Good's efficient and serious all-woman army - complete with silver-tipped spears, shields and swords! When Glinda comes into the story she takes charge in an awesome way and there is a really fantastic twist at the end. I was surprised and delighted by the time I reached the last page of this story.

[bzedan_2 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Dude, the Scarecrow is kind of a pompous jerk. Every time I've read this book, I've been glad that he decides to hang out with Nick Chopper more. Know-it-alls, am I right?Saw-horse rocks my world, though.

[sean191 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Having heard about some of Frank Baum's personal life on NPR a few years ago, I knew he was a little strange, but some of the ideas in his books really reinforce the notion. I can't go into the surprise twist at the end because I don't want to spoil things for others, but let's just say... it's weird. We have a pumpkinheaded character (Jack) who's head keeps falling off (inspiration for Tim Burton?)We have a giant talking bug that became giant through interesting circumstances, along with a flying, mooseheaded couch and old favorites like the Tin Woodman and Scarecrow. And Baum offers a lot of amusing misunderstandings of language between characters and plays on words.I also raised an eyebrow at all the times a character called another character "stupid" or an "idiot" and things of that nature...but overall, it was an enjoyable book to read filled with interesting characters and situations.

[bruce_deming_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Oz books were great fun.

[bookwormteri · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I decided to read this because I enjoyed the movies (Return to Oz being my favorite) and had heard that Return followed the spirit of the books more closely than the original. Having read the first book, I picked up the second at the library. A good, light, swift read. If you keep in mind, when this was written, it is way ahead of it's time. I was amused by General Jinjur taking over the Emerald City so her army could use the treasury to buy pretty dresses and make the men do all of the household chores. Amusing, sexist, but not for it's time.Dorothy does not appear in this book. It follows the scarecrow and the tinmna as they travel through Oz with the Gump, sawhorse, Tip, Jack, and the Woggle Bug. A good read.

[archerygirl · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was Baum's first sequel to The Wizard of Oz and he quite sensibly gives us a new central figure, Tip, and his collection of odd friends rather than reviving Dorothy immediately. The Scarecrow and the Tin Man both get involved part way through, with the central plot being the invasion of the Emerald City by an army of girls armed with knitting needles and the overthrow of the Scarecrow. I did have a few issues with some of the ideas: the Army of Revolt and the firm belief that the girls should be defeated and returned to their places cooking and cleaning for the men is a little too obviously sexist. The only way to get past that is to remember that these books were written a century ago and reflect the attitudes of the time. Other than that, this is a fun romp through Oz with some great new characters, a few familiar characters, and one or two surprises.

[breton07 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"The Land of Oz" is a delightful follow-up to its more famous predecessor, The Wizard of Oz. This second book tells the story of Jack who, in absence of his guardian, the witch Mombie, creates a live man with a pumpkin head and a live saw horse to keep him company. He has many adventures with his friends after the sorcerer's apprentice-like beginning!-Breton W Kaiser Taylor

[yougotamber · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was really cute and made me remember how clever Baum's imagination is. This would be stories I would read to my kids at night (if I had kids). Can't wait to see what else the series brings.

[roseannes_9 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I liked this one even better than the first Wizard of Oz book. There was a center section with awesome old illustrations that were really neat and detailed, a nice touch for a chapterbook since they don't usually have illustrations. It's a story that wasn't as well known as the wizard of oz, but I recognized certain parts of it from the movie "Return to Oz" which happens later, I think? Not sure. A young boy learns his true identity in this, going on crazy adventures along the way. I see this as a good book for a unit on fantasy, maybe, or just a self-chosen chapter book.

[cbilbo-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In the 2nd book, you have an introduction of a few new characters. I loved this book just because it was so weird. You have a the scarecrow that becomes arrogant. The Tin Man obsessed with his looks. Then you have a little boy that is actually a little girl. A magical saw horse, that is just comical in his description. A flying moody Gump.

As I said, this book is weird! But I love it.

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Originally published in 1904, this second of L. Frank Baum's fourteen Oz novels opens in the Gillikin Country, in the north of Oz. Here a mischievous young boy named Tip chafes against the rule of his less-than-benevolent guardian, the witch Mombi. When Tip's prank, in creating a pumpkin-headed man to frighten Mombi backfires, and he is threatened with the terrible fate of being made into a statue as punishment, the young boy runs away, taking the now living Jack Pumpkinhead with him. Heading for the Emerald City, now ruled by the Scarecrow, Tip also brings to life a wooden sawhorse, and eventually meets up with a rebellious young woman named Jinjur, intent on fomenting a girls' revolt. When General Jinjur's army conquers the Emerald City, the Scarecrow must flee, taking Tip and his companions with him. They head for the Winkie Country, in the west of Oz, there to enlist the aid of the Tin Woodman, who rules that kingdom at the invitation of its residents. After a number of adventures - they meet a thoroughly educated Woogle Bug, are captured by General Jinjur, before subsequently escaping in a strange portmanteau creation called the Gump - the companions find their way to Glinda, who helps them to see that neither the Scarecrow nor General Jinjur are entitled to rule Oz. That honor belongs to the missing Princess Ozma, whose father was the last king of Oz. But where is Ozma, and what does it have to do with Tip…?Although I grew up reading the Oz books, both those written by Baum, and then those written by Ruth Plumly Thompson, The Marvelous Land of Oz has never been a particular favorite of mine. I always find the story a little bit scattered, with the main characters seemingly running back and forth across Oz, and I never feel particularly attached to their struggles. I have also always found the plot involving General Jinjur and her army of rebellious girls somewhat distasteful. It always rather confused me that Baum seemed to be taking aim at feminist activists, who would, at the time of publication, have been publicly working for women's suffrage. How does this parody he offers fit in with the characters' claim, later in the book, when Tip is reluctant to resume his original form as Ozma - a female!, that girls are every bit as good as boys, and sometimes even make better students? Satire is frequently to be found in the pages of Baum's Oz books - in the next title, Ozma of Oz, there are some rather pointed depictions of the military, in the form of the largely incompetent officers in Ozma's army - but this instance of it always seems to me to fall flat. It is only on this latest reread, armed with the knowledge that Baum wrote The Marvelous Land of Oz, not so much as a stand-alone story meant for children, but as a spring-board for a musical featuring the two best-beloved characters from stage adaptations of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, that I began to have a better understanding of the girl-rebellion plot-line. Apparently, when creating General Jinjur and her army of attractive girls, he was thinking of the possibility of a chorus-line of young dancers in the stage production! Although this knowledge didn't make this aspect of the story any more successful, in my estimation, it did explain something that had long puzzled me.Despite its flaws, this is a book well worth reading, even if only to get to the far superior Ozma of Oz, and I would recommend it to young fantasy lovers, with the proviso that they must read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz first.

[vonze-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Having loved "The Wizard of Oz" movie since childhood, I finally got around to reading the first two books (alas, wish I'd read more as a kid...).

First book was good, a lot differences between the movie. I was surprised at how simple L. Frank Baum's writing style was. I know it's a children's book, and over a hundred years old, but the movie added, in my opinion, a lot more depth to the characters.

The Marvelous Land of Oz was just nonsensical at times. I don't even know how to rightly describe it...akin to Dr. Seuss maybe? (Even though Dr. Seuss is 50 years later.) It's almost as though L. Frank Baum said, "I'm going to sit down and write and whatever I come up with off the top of my head, that's going in the book!"

I plan to read a few more in the series, there's so many I don't know if I care enough about the characters and the world to finish the fourteen L. Frank Baum wrote, plus the many others by different authors.

Hopefully I'll enjoy the next one better when Dorothy returns as a character.

[lizzybeans11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second book in the series, this one follows the Tinman, Scarecrow and some new characters around Oz. I listened to the LibriVox audio book which didn't have a great reader and I found it hard to follow. Still an interesting continuation of the fantasy.

[aliceanna-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very enjoyable tale from Frank Baum and a lovely followup to the original Wizard of Oz. Such wonderful imagination in the creation of pumpkinhead and sawhorse characters. And then to bring back the Tin Man and the Scarecrow (and Glinda!) is such a treat. And honestly, the ending caught me totally unawares so good on you, Mr. Baum, good on you!

[rbeene-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful tale with a surprising ending.

[ericpatterson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was thrilled to discover that my university library had a copy of this book that I have been wanting to read since childhood. The oz series has always fascinated me, but due to the fact that there are so many books in the series I have never been able to acquire all of them. I discovered that my university library has 13 out of the original 14 that are written by L. Fran Baum which thrills me.

The book in many ways can be seen as an early American story that involves a transgender character, if you really want to think about it in those terms. What the book is though is a magical romp in a land that most of us are familiar with. We are introduced to new characters, like Jack Pumpkinhead. We are also revisited by familiar favorites, like the Scarecrow.

The book feels like a wonderful journey into the land of oz for those of us that deeply appreciate what Baum was doing with these stories. Baum uses current issues, like the women's suffragist movement of his time, beautifully in his books. This book showcases that movement and also is a really good fairy tale story. It holds up to the original classic that most of us love.

The book is primarily focused on a young boy named Tip that escapes the evil clutches of Mombi. Mombi is a low-level practicing witch, since it is forbidden to be a true witch other than the ones previously mentioned in Wizard of Oz. The book is about his journey and how ultimately he discovers what he is in the land of oz. The book is fun, beautifully written, and just a darn good read for anyone that wants to take an additional trip down to Oz.

[nx74defiant · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A great Oz book.General Jinjur and her army of young women take over the Emerald City. Tip has fled the evil witch Mombi when he joins the Scarecrow. They discover what had happened to the legitimate ruler - Ozma. This is where we meet Ozma. And she is in every book from now on.

[antiquary_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second Oz book, in which the Scarecrow is deposed as ruler of Oz by an ambitious young woman named Jinjur, but eventually the true ruler turns out to be Ozma, who for much of the book is the boy Tip. The book also introduces the evil witch Mombi, Jack Pumpkinhead, and H.M. Wogglebug T.E. (Thoroughly Educated). My father used to say my mother's initials V.T.E. stood for "very thoroughly educated." The story includes ,any characters from the first book, but not Dorothy.