Book reviews

The Royal Book of Oz
Ruth Plumly Thompson Book Review

Read a book review online (click here to search reviews)
Books Movies  
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Mystery/Thriller Literature Romance Biography Video
Ruth Plumly Thompson Books
New book search
Ruth Plumly Thompson Message Board
Get more information about this book
Plot Summary of The Royal Book of Oz
"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



Review Analysis of The Royal Book of Oz
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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
Magic City by Edith Nesbit
Landon Snow And the Shadows of Malus Quidam by R.K. Mortenson
Landon Snow And the Auctor's Riddle by R.K. Mortenson
Landon Snow and the Island of Arcanum by R.K. Mortenson
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery


Click here for more information about this book


Ruth Plumly Thompson Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
David Loftus  

SCHOLARS:
Michael Jung  


Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
Three ways to search for Science Fiction books!

1) One-click plot searches! Simply click on a plot or subplot below!

Animal Story

Clones

Coming of age

Cultural problems, alien culture

Explore/1st contact/ enviro story

Family relations

GIANT monster(s)

Horror story?

Inner Struggle

Lifeform altered?

Mental/magical powers focus

Parody

Political power play

Religious overtones?

Repressive society story

Robots, Computers, VR

Romance

Spying & Investigations

Tech./$$$/Info hunt

Time Travel story?

Training/Apprent.

War or Invasion



or 2) Simple lookup
(title or author)

or
3) Even more search options available with a Detailed Booksearch (click here)

Use our site!
17 FREE Sci-Fi Ebooks!
FREE "How to be happy" Ebook!
Funny Videos
Feedback


Most recent discussions:

General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
George W. Bush 1:35:50 AM
Robert Segarra 1:49:56 PM
Karen Armstrong 10:51:40 AM
Slavomir Rawicz 6:40:45 PM
Anonymous 1:39:52 PM
Deric Longden 9:20:02 AM
Suzanne Weyn 6:24:19 PM
Colin Forbes 12:23:54 PM
John Christopher 5:12:45 AM
Tom Clancy 2:19:45 AM
Margaret Peterson Haddix 5:36:55 PM
Nikolai Tolstoy 7:46:16 AM
J.K. Rowling 11:40:22 PM
Jack Higgins 4:54:08 PM
Eloise Jarvis McGraw 12:51:17 PM
Jane Rubino 1:21:00 PM
Lori Wick 2:11:45 AM
Betty Mahmoody 5:57:33 PM
Patricia Cornwell 2:48:17 PM
Andrew Clements 9:13:44 PM

Silicon Valley
More message boards