Toto's Tale (ePub)

A Wizard of Oz, Epic Adventure...For 21st Century Readers

A commemorative series from a unique perspective, Toto's! A multidimensional plot-twister w updated cast of wondrous, quirky misfits.

The original Wonderful Wizard of Oz was first published in the year 1900. America was for the first time, the world's most affluent country, yet, electrical lighting, indoor plumbing, and automobile ownership were not widespread. There were less than 8000 cars on the road and no more than ten miles of paved roads. At the turn of the century, "technology" was about bringing improved 19th century innovations to the public: phonograph, records, the combustible engine, telegraph, and telephone to name a few.

In 1900, "technology" was a train that could bring you the same distance in six days that a covered wagon brought you in six months. Cross-continental travel became easier and more affordable. Today, "technology" means medical miracles, lasers, drones, stealth bombers, satellite surveillance, space station, cyber warfare, and quantum computers.

Despite some slight differences of opinion, the first movie was produced in 1895. Jump ahead fifteen years to 1910 and check out the first Wizard of Oz film. It is a silent movie,13 minutes, and easily found on YouTube under "Wizard of Oz 1910 film". Setting great amusement aside, one has to strain the imagination to find similarities in this 1910 version to Disney's recent film, "Oz The Great and Powerful".

Now, a century later, incredible graphics in games and films have raised the bar. Today's fantasy lovers expect "fantastic" and it takes "awesome" in books and films to meet the expectations of fantasy lovers today. The Wizard Was Odd trilogy has that kind of universal appeal. The glorious Lands of Western Oz, with elements of fantasy, steampunk, and science fiction coupled with its bizarre inhabitants, and their extreme subcultures will draw today's game-minded youth into an Oziian world unlike any other.

The rest of us - who've grown up and older with Baum...our attraction to The Wizard Was Odd, will be magnetic. Why - because Oz's ever-changing characters and plots are part of this fantasy-fairy-tail universe that is comfort-food to our soul. It's this irresistible lure...this indefinable mystique that draws so many of us not only to that magical Land of Oz, but to Star Trek, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. The big difference, however, is that Oz has had our attention for nearly 120 years! We know Baum's book. We've seen MGM's movie, countless versions, and remakes. Yet, after 120 year, we find ourselves compelled with joy, anticipation, and a bit of excited trepidation to once again, walk that yellow brick road. This time it is to commemorate the Great Man himself, L. Frank Baum for his Wonderful Wizard of Oz 120th anniversary.