Ozma of Oz

Wizard of Oz, Book 3, Special Annotated Edition

By: L. Frank Baum

Narrated by: Ron Knowles

Ozma of Oz is the third oz book. When a storm blows Dorothy to the land of Ev, where lunches grow on trees, she meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, and Princess Ozma, and together they set out to free the Queen of Ev and her 10 children. The story features a wicked nome king who has enchanted the queen and her children.

Listen to more Oz adventures.©2009 RP Audio (P)2009 RP Audio

Great Story, Mediocre Reader

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend an audiobook for Ozma of Oz quite willingly. However, I would recommend using a version of the book from another reader.

What did you like best about this story?

Ozma of Oz has always been one of my favorites of the myriad Oz books. Since I rarely have time to read actual books myself anymore, due to other demands on my time, audiobooks are a frequent source of entertainment while I work at my computer, but I prefer books with a better performance whenever possible.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Ron Knowles?

I went as far as The Emerald City of Oz, all narrated by Ron Knowles, before I finally decided I couldn't take his narration any further. Why am I giving such a harsh commentary on Mr. Knowles? Because an audiobook is more than just a dry read of a story. It is also meant to be a performance, and Knowles's performance of different characters is lukewarm at best, giving female characters rather annoying voices that seem to be spoken through his nose.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Dorothy and her Oz friends' New Journey into Danger

Any additional comments?

The second book, The Marvelous Land of Oz and this book, Ozma of Oz, were both gutted by Disney into something of a mishmash story called "Return to Oz" in 1986. Although acceptable, I strongly prefer the two books in their original form, and would urge anyone who likes the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz to give these two books a listen or a read as well.