As far as stories about girls who are whisked off into dream-like, fantastical adventures go—L. Frank Baum’s [b:The Wonderful Wizard of Oz|236093|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1)|L. Frank Baum|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1398003737l/236093._SY75_.jpg|1993810] is a solid read. Much darker than the more sanitized children’s stories of the modern era, Baum created a memorable world with characters forever embedded into the cultural zeitgeist. Who doesn’t love an extra “witch” simply trying to nab a dope pair of shiny shoes?

That said, I would be lying if I did not mention how this story is ultimately out-shined by its own 1939 film adaptation, Lewis Carroll’s earlier work [b:Alice's Adventures in Wonderland|6324090|Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, #1)|Lewis Carroll|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391204048l/6324090._SX50_.jpg|55548884] (which undoubtedly influenced Oz), or even the modern-day play adaptation Wicked (though I do emphasize the play over the sub-par book Wicked). This is compounded by the fact that events transpire rather mechanically, like someone is checking off a list of whimsical encounters, rather than unveiling a meandering dream.

Despite these criticisms, overall, I would still recommend The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, even if it isn’t as wonderful as its later adaptations.