The Oz odyssey continues with the ninth book in the series, which was originally a silent film written by Baum. Following Tik-Tok of Oz, the book is not as formulaic as some others, but the title is a little misleading. We’re not in Oz until about half way through the story, and the Scarecrow does not turn up until much later. When he does arrive, he dominates the story because everyone loves him and he has a lot of misadventures due to his physical nature. The worst things that happen to him in this story are almost being burned at the stake and losing his face and straw in a waterfall. Luckily his magic brain always survives.

The story follows a little girl named Trot and an old fisherman, Cap’n Bill. They are pulled into a whirlpool and end up in a strange, isolated place. With a new friend – the Ork, a cross between a bird and a plane – and an old friend, Button-Bright, they eventually reach Oz, where they become involved in a plot to bring down the cruel king of Jinxland. Glinda sends the Scarecrow out with her magic to help put things right.

Trot, from California, is another girl in the mould of Dorothy, while Cap’n Bill is similar to the Shaggy Man. There are some wicked witches in the story; the main one is Blinkie and she gets her comeuppance at the end. It’s one of the better stories, as there is more depth to the plot, instead of the characters travelling all the time.

Published in 1915, illustrated by John R Neill. I read this book on Project Gutenberg.