Glinda Of Oz(Illustrated) E-Book

L. Frank Baum

• Herausgeber: Micheal Smith
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

• Illustrated Edition: Features 20 enchanting illustrations bringing the magical world of Oz to life.
• Includes Summary: A captivating summary to entice readers and introduce the main themes and plot.
• Character List: An in-depth look at the beloved characters within the story, enhancing the reading experience.
• Author Biography: A detailed biography of L. Frank Baum, offering insights into the life of the literary genius behind Oz.

Dive into the magical finale of L. Frank Baum's legendary Oz series with the illustrated edition of "Glinda of Oz." This enchanting volume not only brings the fantastical world of Oz to vibrant life with 20 stunning illustrations but also enriches your journey with an engaging summary, a detailed list of characters, and an insightful biography of Baum himself.
In this final adventure, Princess Ozma and Dorothy embark on a daring mission to avert a war that threatens the peace of Oz. With the wise and powerful Glinda the Good Witch at their side, they face enchanted islands, mysterious queens, and a crystal dome filled with secrets. Their quest is fraught with challenges, but the power of friendship, wisdom, and bravery lights their way.
"Glinda of Oz" is more than a story of magical escapades; it is a profound exploration of themes such as the power of knowledge, the significance of understanding and empathy, and the unbreakable strength found in unity. Baum's masterful storytelling weaves these themes into a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
The best way to immerse yourself in the enchantment, adventure, and wisdom of Baum's Oz is with this illustrated version. This book promises to be a treasured addition to any collection, whether you're visiting the land of Oz again or for the first time. It tells a timeless story that never fails to spark the imagination and inspire dreams. Come along on an incredible voyage with Dorothy, Ozma, and Glinda to see why "Glinda of Oz" is still a treasured classic among readers everywhere.

 

Leseprobe

GLINDA OF OZ

BY

L. FRANK BAUM

ABOUT BAUM

Lyman Frank Baum, born in 1856, in Chittenango, New York, emerged as a pivotal figure in American literature, renowned for his enchanting tales that have captivated readers for generations. The seventh of nine children, Baum grew up in a world brimming with the sparks of imagination, nurtured by his parents, Benjamin Ward Baum, a barrel maker turned oil tycoon, and Cynthia Stanton Baum. Despite his family's affluence, Baum's early life was marred by a congenital heart condition that restricted his physical activities, steering him towards a life enriched with creativity and storytelling.

Baum's education journey was a tapestry of varied experiences, including stints at several military academies, which he found ill-suited to his temperament and health. Instead, Baum found solace and passion in the arts, particularly in writing and the theater. His early forays into publishing included a stint at breeding fancy poultry, during which he founded and edited a magazine dedicated to the subject. However, it was his innate talent for storytelling and a vivid imagination that would eventually define his career.

Baum's life reached a turning point in the 1880s, both personally and professionally. He wed Maud Gage in 1882; she was the daughter of Matilda Joslyn Gage, a well-known suffragist and feminist. Baum's viewpoints were greatly impacted by this relationship, and themes of female empowerment and equality were frequently gently included into his writing. The pair experienced ups and downs during their journey together because of Baum's early business endeavors, which included a theatrical company and a general shop, which were both financially difficult.

Despite these challenges, Baum's passion for storytelling never waned. He turned his experiences and vivid imagination into children's books. His breakthrough came with the publication of "Mother Goose in Prose" (1897), which marked his entry into the world of children's literature. However, it was "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" (1900) that catapulted Baum to literary fame. This novel, with its magical landscapes, memorable characters, and underlying message of self-reliance and bravery, captured the hearts of readers across the United States and beyond. It was this creation that solidified Baum's legacy, spawning a franchise that included sequels, stage adaptations, and the iconic 1939 film.

Baum's vision extended beyond the land of Oz. He penned numerous other works, including fantasies, adult novels, and journal articles, often under pseudonyms. Yet, his commitment to children's literature remained unwavering, as he sought to create stories that not only entertained but also imparted moral lessons.

Despite his commercial success, Baum's life was not without its trials. He faced financial difficulties and health issues, but he continued to write until his passing on May 6, 1919, in Hollywood, California. Baum's foresight in establishing a lasting legacy was evident in his creation of a fictional world that has endured for over a century.

L. Frank Baum's influence on American literature and popular culture is immeasurable. His works have inspired countless adaptations, from film and television to comics and theater, ensuring that his stories continue to enchant and educate. Baum's life, marked by creativity, resilience, and a deep understanding of the human spirit, remains a testament to the enduring power of imagination.

SUMMARY

"Glinda of Oz," the final mesmerizing tale in L. Frank Baum's beloved Oz series, stands as a testament to the author's unparalleled ability to weave magic, adventure, and wisdom into a story that transcends time. Published posthumously in 1920, this enchanting narrative follows the daring journey of Princess Ozma and Dorothy as they embark on a mission to prevent a war between the Skeezers and the Flatheads, two rival factions in the magical land of Oz.

With the wise and powerful Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, guiding them, Ozma and Dorothy navigate a series of captivating challenges. They encounter an enchanted island, a mysterious queen, and a crystal dome that holds secrets to both entrapment and liberation. As the duo delves deeper into the conflict, they rely on their wit, courage, and the bonds of friendship to seek a peaceful resolution.

"Glinda of Oz" is not just a story of magical escapades; it is a profound exploration of themes such as the power of knowledge, the importance of understanding and empathy in resolving conflicts, and the unbreakable strength found in unity. Baum's masterful storytelling, combined with his visionary depiction of a world where harmony and goodwill triumph, makes this novel an enduring classic.

This book, while marking the end of the Oz saga, leaves readers with a lasting legacy of hope and imagination. It encapsulates Baum's genius in creating a fantastical universe that continues to inspire and captivate readers of all ages, reminding them of the magic that exists in the world around us and the power within us to create a better, more peaceful world. "Glinda of Oz" is a fitting finale to a series that has enchanted the hearts of millions, a vivid testament to the enduring magic of L. Frank Baum's creation.

CHARACTERS LIST

The final book in L. Frank Baum's Oz trilogy, the charming "Glinda of Oz," features a wide range of characters, each of whom brings a unique appeal and complexity to the story. A few of the prominent figures in this engrossing tale are as follows:

Princess Ozma: The benevolent and wise ruler of Oz, Ozma is always ready to help her subjects and ensure peace throughout the land. Her compassion and leadership are central to resolving the conflicts in the story.

Dorothy Gale: The brave and kind-hearted girl from Kansas, Dorothy is Ozma's faithful companion and friend. Her courage and simple wisdom often provide the key to overcoming obstacles.

Glinda: The Good Witch of the South, Glinda is renowned for her powerful magic and deep knowledge. She plays a crucial role in guiding Ozma and Dorothy through their challenges with her wisdom and magical abilities.

The Wizard of Oz: Once a humbug magician from Omaha, the Wizard has since become a true friend and protector of Oz, using his skills and ingenuity to assist in their adventures.

Lady Aurex: A noblewoman of the Skeezers, Lady Aurex finds herself in a precarious position as she navigates the tensions between her people and the Flatheads.

Coo-ee-oh: The ambitious and vain Queen of the Skeezers, whose actions set the stage for the conflict at the heart of the story. Her desire for power and control leads to unforeseen consequences.

Su-dic: The supreme dictator of the Flatheads, Su-dic is determined to increase his power and challenge the Skeezers, driven by a desire for revenge and domination.

Ervic: A clever and loyal Skeezer who plays a key role in the plot to resolve the conflict and restore peace to the land.

The Three Adepts at Magic: Enchantresses who were transformed into fishes by Coo-ee-oh's magic, they hold the key to understanding the deeper magic that governs the land and can help in overcoming the challenges faced by Ozma and Dorothy.

The Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion: Beloved friends and protectors of Dorothy and Ozma, these iconic characters from earlier in the series make appearances, offering their unique forms of wisdom, bravery, and heart.

"Glinda of Oz" weaves these characters and more into a rich narrative, showcasing Baum's ability to create a diverse and compelling world. Each character, whether they are seeking power, peace, or simply to help their friends, contributes to the story's themes of friendship, loyalty, and the quest for harmony.

Contents

Chapter One. The Call To Duty

Chapter Two. Ozma And Dorothy

Chapter Three. The Mist Maidens

Chapter Four. The Magic Tent

Chapter Five. The Magic Stairway

Chapter Six. Flathead Mountain

Chapter Seven. The Magic Isle

Chapter Eight. Queen Coo-ee-oh

Chapter Nine. Lady Aurex

Chapter Ten. Under Water

Chapter Eleven. The Conquest Of The Skeezers

Chapter Twelve. The Diamond Swan

Chapter Thirteen. The Alarm Bell

Chapter Fourteen. Ozma's Counsellors

Chapter Fifteen. The Great Sorceress

Chapter Sixteen. The Enchanted Fishes

Chapter Seventeen. Under The Great Dome

Chapter Eighteen. The Cleverness Of Ervic

Chapter Nineteen. Red Reera, The Yookoohoo

Chapter Twenty. A Puzzling Problem

Chapter Twenty-One. The Three Adepts

Chapter Twenty-Two. The Sunken Island

Chapter Twenty-Three. The Magic Words

Chapter Twenty-Four. Glinda's Triumph

Chapter One. The Call To Duty

Glinda, the good Sorceress of Oz, sat in the grand court of her palace, surrounded by her maids of honor—a hundred of the most beautiful girls of the Fairyland of Oz. The palace court was built of rare marbles, exquisitely polished. Fountains tinkled musically here and there; the vast colonnade, open to the south, allowed the maidens, as they raised their heads from their embroideries, to gaze upon a vista of rose-hued fields and groves of trees bearing fruits or laden with sweet-scented flowers. At times one of the girls would start a song, the others joining in the chorus, or one would rise and dance, gracefully swaying to the music of a harp played by a companion. And then Glinda smiled, glad to see her maids mixing play with work.

Presently among the fields an object was seen moving, threading the broad path that led to the castle gate. Some of the girls looked upon this object enviously; the Sorceress merely gave it a glance and nodded her stately head as if pleased, for it meant the coming of her friend and mistress—the only one in all the land that Glinda bowed to.

Then up the path trotted a wooden animal attached to a red wagon, and as the quaint steed halted at the gate there descended from the wagon two young girls, Ozma, Ruler of Oz, and her companion, Princess Dorothy. Both were dressed in simple white muslin gowns, and as they ran up the marble steps of the palace they laughed and chatted as gaily as if they were not the most important persons in the world's loveliest fairyland.

The maids of honor had risen and stood with bowed heads to greet the royal Ozma, while Glinda came forward with outstretched arms to greet her guests.

"We've just come on a visit, you know," said Ozma. "Both Dorothy and I were wondering how we should pass the day when we happened to think we'd not been to your Quadling Country for weeks, so we took the Sawhorse and rode straight here."

"And we came so fast," added Dorothy, "that our hair is blown all fuzzy, for the Sawhorse makes a wind of his own. Usually it's a day's journey from the Em'rald City, but I don't s'pose we were two hours on the way."

"You are most welcome," said Glinda the Sorceress, and led them through the court to her magnificent reception hall. Ozma took the arm of her hostess, but Dorothy lagged behind, kissing some of the maids she knew best, talking with others, and making them all feel that she was their friend. When at last she joined Glinda and Ozma in the reception hall, she found them talking earnestly about the condition of the people, and how to make them more happy and contented—although they were already the happiest and most contented folks in all the world.

This interested Ozma, of course, but it didn't interest Dorothy very much, so the little girl ran over to a big table on which was lying open Glinda's Great Book of Records.

This Book is one of the greatest treasures in Oz, and the Sorceress prizes it more highly than any of her magical possessions. That is the reason it is firmly attached to the big marble table by means of golden chains, and whenever Glinda leaves home she locks the Great Book together with five jeweled padlocks, and carries the keys safely hidden in her bosom.

I do not suppose there is any magical thing in any fairyland to compare with the Record Book, on the pages of which are constantly being printed a record of every event that happens in any part of the world, at exactly the moment it happens. And the records are always truthful, although sometimes they do not give as many details as one could wish. But then, lots of things happen, and so the records have to be brief or even Glinda's Great Book could not hold them all.

Glinda looked at the records several times each day, and Dorothy, whenever she visited the Sorceress, loved to look in the Book and see what was happening everywhere. Not much was recorded about the Land of Oz, which is usually peaceful and uneventful, but today Dorothy found something which interested her. Indeed, the printed letters were appearing on the page even while she looked.

"This is funny!" she exclaimed. "Did you know, Ozma, that there were people in your Land of Oz called Skeezers?"

"Yes," replied Ozma, coming to her side, "I know that on Professor Wogglebug's Map of the Land of Oz there is a place marked 'Skeezer,' but what the Skeezers are like I do not know. No one I know has ever seen them or heard of them. The Skeezer Country is 'way at the upper edge of the Gillikin Country, with the sandy, impassable desert on one side and the mountains of Oogaboo on another side. That is a part of the Land of Oz of which I know very little."

"I guess no one else knows much about it either, unless it's the Skeezers themselves," remarked Dorothy. "But the Book says: 'The Skeezers of Oz have declared war on the Flatheads of Oz, and there is likely to be fighting and much trouble as the result.'"

"Is that all the Book says?" asked Ozma.

"Every word," said Dorothy, and Ozma and Glinda both looked at the Record and seemed surprised and perplexed.

"Tell me, Glinda," said Ozma, "who are the Flatheads?"

"I cannot, your Majesty," confessed the Sorceress. "Until now I never have heard of them, nor have I ever heard the Skeezers mentioned. In the faraway corners of Oz are hidden many curious tribes of people, and those who never leave their own countries and never are visited by those from our favored part of Oz, naturally are unknown to me. However, if you so desire, I can learn through my arts of sorcery something of the Skeezers and the Flatheads."

"I wish you would," answered Ozma seriously. "You see, Glinda, if these are Oz people they are my subjects and I cannot allow any wars or troubles in the Land I rule, if I can possibly help it."

"Very well, your Majesty," said the Sorceress, "I will try to get some information to guide you. Please excuse me for a time, while I retire to my Room of Magic and Sorcery."

"May I go with you?" asked Dorothy, eagerly.

"No, Princess," was the reply. "It would spoil the charm to have anyone present."

So Glinda locked herself in her own Room of Magic and Dorothy and Ozma waited patiently for her to come out again.

In about an hour Glinda appeared, looking grave and thoughtful.

"Your Majesty," she said to Ozma, "the Skeezers live on a Magic Isle in a great lake. For that reason—because the Skeezers deal in magic—I can learn little about them."

"Why, I didn't know there was a lake in that part of Oz," exclaimed Ozma. "The map shows a river running through the Skeezer Country, but no lake."

"That is because the person who made the map never had visited that part of the country," explained the Sorceress. "The lake surely is there, and in the lake is an island—a Magic Isle—and on that island live the people called the Skeezers."

"What are they like?" inquired the Ruler of Oz.

"My magic cannot tell me that," confessed Glinda, "for the magic of the Skeezers prevents anyone outside of their domain knowing anything about them."

"The Flatheads must know, if they're going to fight the Skeezers," suggested Dorothy.

"Perhaps so," Glinda replied, "but I can get little information concerning the Flatheads, either. They are people who inhabit a mountain just south of the Lake of the Skeezers. The mountain has steep sides and a broad, hollow top, like a basin, and in this basin the Flatheads have their dwellings. They also are magic-workers and usually keep to themselves and allow no one from outside to visit them. I have learned that the Flatheads number about one hundred people—men, women and children—while the Skeezers number just one hundred and one."

"What did they quarrel about, and why do they wish to fight one another?" was Ozma's next question.

"I cannot tell your Majesty that," said Glinda.

"But see here!" cried Dorothy, "it's against the law for anyone but Glinda and the Wizard to work magic in the Land of Oz, so if these two strange people are magic-makers they are breaking the law and ought to be punished!" Ozma smiled upon her little friend.

"Those who do not know me or my laws," she said, "cannot be expected to obey my laws. If we know nothing of the Skeezers or the Flatheads, it is likely that they know nothing of us."

"But they ought to know, Ozma, and we ought to know. Who's going to tell them, and how are we going to make them behave?"

"That," returned Ozma, "is what I am now considering. What would you advise, Glinda?"

The Sorceress took a little time to consider this question, before she made reply. Then she said: "Had you not learned of the existence of the Flatheads and the Skeezers, through my Book of Records, you would never have worried about them or their quarrels. So, if you pay no attention to these peoples, you may never hear of them again."

"But that wouldn't be right," declared Ozma. "I am Ruler of all the Land of Oz, which includes the Gillikin Country, the Quadling Country, the Winkie Country and the Munchkin Country, as well as the Emerald City, and being the Princess of this fairyland it is my duty to make all my people—wherever they may be—happy and content and to settle their disputes and keep them from quarreling. So, while the Skeezers and Flatheads may not know me or that I am their lawful Ruler, I now know that they inhabit my kingdom and are my subjects, so I would not be doing my duty if I kept away from them and allowed them to fight."

"That's a fact, Ozma," commented Dorothy. "You've got to go up to the Gillikin Country and make these people behave themselves and make up their quarrels. But how are you going to do it?"

"That is what is puzzling me also, your Majesty," said the Sorceress. "It may be dangerous for you to go into those strange countries, where the people are possibly fierce and warlike."

"I am not afraid," said Ozma, with a smile.

"'Tisn't a question of being 'fraid," argued Dorothy. "Of course we know you're a fairy, and can't be killed or hurt, and we know you've a lot of magic of your own to help you. But, Ozma dear, in spite of all this you've been in trouble before, on account of wicked enemies, and it isn't right for the Ruler of all Oz to put herself in danger."

"Perhaps I shall be in no danger at all," returned Ozma, with a little laugh. "You mustn't imagine danger, Dorothy, for one should only imagine nice things, and we do not know that the Skeezers and Flatheads are wicked people or my enemies. Perhaps they would be good and listen to reason."

"Dorothy is right, your Majesty," asserted the Sorceress. "It is true we know nothing of these faraway subjects, except that they intend to fight one another, and have a certain amount of magic power at their command. Such folks do not like to submit to interference and they are more likely to resent your coming among them than to receive you kindly and graciously, as is your due."

"If you had an army to take with you," added Dorothy, "it wouldn't be so bad; but there isn't such a thing as an army in all Oz."

"I have one soldier," said Ozma.