AUDIO

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

by L. Frank Baum
4 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 4½ hrs. Dreamscape. 2012. ISBN 9781624062155. $39.99; 1 MP3-CD. library/retail eds.; digital download. CLASSIC
COPY ISBN
Baum's classic is an eye-opener for those who know it only through countless viewings of the 1939 movie. While the basic plots are identical—Dorothy, Kansas, twister, Oz, Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman, Cowardly Lion, melted witch, clicking heels, return home—the novel is vastly simpler and waaayyy slower. The biggest disappointment is the Wicked Witch of the West. Deliciously evil on screen, the worst thing she does here is swat Dorothy with an umbrella. After receiving their brains, courage, etc., Dorothy and company have more strange adventures here, but they're entirely forgettable.
VERDICT Narrator Tara Sands does an accomplished job of channeling each character according to Baum's descriptions, and this production will charm small children, but older kids and curious adults should stick to the film. Buy appropriately.
Reviewed by Mike Rogers, Babylon, NY , Apr 15, 2013
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