Hi! I posted this in the children's books but someone suggested I ask here. I just noticed there are several books in the Oz series by L. Frank Baum. I thought there was only 'the wizard of oz'like themovie was from but has anyone read these and can comment on how they are? I don't read fantasy much - actually it had never occurred tome that wizard of oz was fantasy but guess it is...I enjoyed  the Wizard of Oz and am t hinking of reading this series as well as the Chronicles of Narnia..or listening to them on audio downloads..actually one of the free public domain audiobook sites is where I noticed all the differnt Oz titles come to think of it...

anyways just curious as to how these are.

I just ran across most of the series at a resale shop and put them in my TBR pile. I just started Wicked. It  is the story of the wicked witch and a friend highly recomended I order it.

Im not sure yet if Son of a Witch is wish listed but if anyone has it let me know.

We've got all of the Oz books listed here.

I have not read them, but I have heard that they are excellent. Most people don't realize how many there are!!

I read them as a kid (10-14) and enjoyed them.  When I reread them, I don't like them as much.  I much prefer the Narnia series/.

Wow!  I didn't realize there wers so many!  I just read Wicked and Son of a Witch.  Some lucky person will soon be getting Son of a witch!

I liked Son of a Witch better than Wicked.

Right now I'm reading Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister.

I'm not sure how old I was, but I remember going to the library & devouring all the Oz books they had.

I liked them.  They're a very easy read, and lighthearted.

Sorry...I just find it entertaining that there are two discussions of two different sets of Oz books in this thread. :)

The books that the OP mentioned sound like the original Oz books by L. Frank Baum.

Wicked, Son of a Witch, and the future third book are a retelling of L. Frank Baum's story, written about 100 years later, and authored by Gregory Maguire.

@FantasyKat: that link is actually missing over half the books. If only the Baum books than yes, but Ruth Thompson wrote 19 books to go along with Baum's 14. Plus several others written by the "Royal Historians".

I remember reading The Wizard of Oz as a youngster and I loved it.  It was a single hardcoevr book, though, so I'm not sure now what it was...I think it must have been an abridged or partial collection.  The movie was only very broadly related to it at all.  

In high school, I read an article that told how the stories were very specific political commentary by Baum.  He mentioned who some of the characters were, but I only remember that the lion was William Jennings Bryan.  Kind of weird.

well for years I thought there was just one book' the wizard of oz' then I remember seeing several different 'oz' books and got 'patchwork girl of oz' I think from the library but wasn't 'into' it at the time so though since I was trying to get into fantasy/sci fi a bit that I'd check into this series. I had no idea there were so many! I did read 'wicked' back when my then 16 yr old cousin swore it was 'the book' to read and thought it was weird! guess I had no imagination though I did like parts of it and found it interesting..I guess it lost me after the convent and she had the baby. I was thinking of collecting the series that has wizard of oz in it and the related ones bu tnot sure how related they are and if they need to be read in order. a ubs near me has several but is missing a lot as well and not sure how good  they are...think I'll try the library and see if they have the entire series then if I like them I can look for keeper copies...

Of the Original 40 OZ books L.F. Baum penned the first 14 beginning The Wonderful Wizard of OZ and Ending with Ozma Of OZ.  Ozma was published after Baum's death and is the last OZ book bearing his name.  The Baum books mainly deal with Dorothy's adventures in OZ ending with Dorothy and her family moving to Em City after losing the farm. 

Good thing L. Frank Baum had a bad head for business, The only way he could make a living was his writing. and He made a very good living.

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/oz/ozsect1.html

Just a Heads up. Thought you would like to know TCM is running the 1925 "Wizard of Oz" on Nov 30th. Don't miss your chance to see Oliver Hardy as The Tinman. 

The oz books were my favorite books as a child. I collected as many as I could. I went to the library and read the others. The first two books are important to read in sequence and after that you can hop around. My favorite of all time is Rinkatink in Oz. I highly reccommend these for ages7 and up! These are really good to read to your kids at bedtime! Dolly

I thought Wicked was okay.. but Son of a Witch was horrible.  I couldn't finish it.

What is this free audiobook site you speak of??  Please PM me with details!!  I'll try to watch the thread too:)

I think I am very alone in actually liking the Son of a Witch better than Wicked.