Book Review: The Emerald City of Oz

This is the sixth of fourteen Frank L. Baum Oz books.  It is evident that Baum had intended this to be the last.  Baum has nice things to say about Dorothy.  "In this world in which we live simplicity and kindness are the only magic wands that work wonders, and in the Land of Oz Dorothy found these same qualities had won for her the and admiration of the people."  He also says good things about The Wizard. “When we try to deceive people we always make mistakes,” he said.  “But I’m getting to be a real wizard now, and Glinda the Good’s magic, that I am trying to practice, can never harm any one.”  “You were always a good man,” declared Dorothy, “even when you were a bad wizard.”
This book tells two stories, Dorothy, taking her aunt and uncle to tour the land of Oz; while the evil king of the Nomes, Roquat, plots the overthrow of the Land of Oz and The Emerald City.  We meet many delightful characters.  I think my favorite was Utensia, were eating utensils have come to life.  This section is a pun every paragraph.  Here are a few.  Utensia:  We have had dull times since the steel and grindstone eloped.  Colander high priest, he’s the holiest thing we have in the kingdom.  “I’d like to smooth this thing over in some way”, said the flat iron.
During Dorothy's travels we also meet the Rigamaroles: "Then they began talking to one another in long, deliberate speeches, where many words were used but little was said.  Some of the college lecturers and ministers are certainly related to these people."  Baum is not very flattering of them, but certainly met a few in his life. 
Like wise the Flutterbudgets: “Do ‘ifs’ really make Flutterbudgets?”  “I think the ‘ifs’ help,” he answered seriously.  “Foolish fears, and worries over nothing, with a mixture of nerves and ifs, will soon make a Flutterbudger of anyone.”  Both of these lands they left as quickly as possible to preserve their own attitudes.  How ever the also met a paper doll kingdom, a kingdom where everything, including the people was some type of bun, a kingdom of rabbits, and the fuddles, who were jig saw puzzles, and thus entertained others.
On the other hand, the Nome General Guph meets some of the evil characters.  The Whimsies, people with little heads who wore big masks:  "They foolishly imagined that no one would suspect the little heads that were inside the imitation ones, not knowing that it is folly to try to appear otherwise than as nature has made us."  The

Growleywogs who were strong.  "It seems unfortunate that strong people are usually disagreeable and overbearing that no one cares for them.  In fact, to be different from you fellow creatures is always a misfortune.  And lastly the Phanfasms, who are people who make others see things as they want them to see, rather than as they are.
Ozma decides not to oppose these enemies, thinking it is wrong to hurt others.  Everyone is feeling doomed, when the Scarecrow offers some advice.  “I believe it is wrong to worry over anything before it happens.”  The Tin Woodman also has some good advice:  “My tin brains are very bright, but that is all I claim for them,” said Nick Chopper, modestly.  “Yet I do not aspire to being very wise, for I have noticed that the happiest people are those who do not let their brains oppress them.”
This book has a funny twist, which comes as a result of the Scarecrow's excellent brains.  This is one of my favorite Oz book as it brings the good vs evil conflict into the plot.