The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

By: L. Frank Baum

Narrated by: Anne Hathaway

Length: 3 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Solo Narration - Female, 2013

One of the best-known stories in American culture, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has stirred the imagination of young and old alike for over 100 years. Academy Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married, Alice in Wonderland, The Dark Knight Rises) lends her voice to this uniquely American fairy tale.

Follow the adventures of young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto as they get swept away into the magical land of Oz , where they encounter characters and places you may remember from the movie - and several more that never made it to the big screen - on an unforgettable journey to the Emerald City.

“It’s such a wonderful book and I was so happy to be a part of bringing it to life”, Ms. Hathaway said. “There are a lot of great voices in it. The more fun you have with it, the sillier and the more free you get with it, the better it is because it’s a story that can handle it. It’s amazing to be able to discover something new about something you feel you know so well.”

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Public Domain (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Anne Hathaway is nothing short of masterful in her narration of Baum’s beloved classic.... As narrator, she is lithe yet precise; her voice sounds lilting or emphatic, as the story details require. In character, she is spectacular. Each character is filled with personality - a light-voiced Witch of the North; a brusque soldier at Oz’s palace; a monotone, robot-like Oz; and a usually cheerful and genuine Dorothy. The variety enriches the listening experience. Yes, one may know the story well, but Hathaway makes this recording a definitive one.” (AudioFile)

Ear-gasm

Wonderful performance by Anne Hathaway. The variety and range of tones and voices she is able to produce is simply amazing. Hope that she would narrate more books.

Mmmm - wouldn't waste my time.

If you could sum up The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in three words, what would they be?

It's the exact story you've read and seen.

What was most disappointing about L. Frank Baum’s story?

The story line was rather boring. The book was too short.

Have you listened to any of Anne Hathaway’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Anne did a great job with the character voices. The story line was rather boring.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Animated and Wonderful

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

The wizard of oz story is largely thought of as what is portrayed in the movie... The book is much more.

What did you like best about this story?

The surprise of the difference between the book and the classic movie

What does Anne Hathaway bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love the way Anne Hathaway takes an ordinary fairy tale story and brings about a wonderful attitude giving the listener a myriad of differnt voices to enjoy the charachters with.

Incredible Anne Hathaway!

I couldn't help but compare this to the 1939 movie (Judy Garland as Dorothy) production that I saw on television when I was a teenager because that movie created a very special image of the story in my memory. I have to say that this production (Anne Hathaway's narration) is as good but also in a different way. Anne Hathaway is just amazing in narrating different characters in the story (and I wasn't particularly a big fan of this actress in movies). She creates a special world out of this story. She must have gone through a lot of trouble preparing for playing more than ten different characters. As a teenager, I thought the story had (cute) flaws (e.g., a brainless scarecrow wouldn't be asking for a brain if he did not have a brain, etc.), but now that I am an adult, I could just enjoy the way this brilliant actress presents the story. I highly recommend this audiobook.

exceptional!

a favorite, classic tale read by an exceptional actress with a beautiful speaking voice. loved it!

The wonderful wizerd of oz

Loooooooooove it. Write a one that tells the story bout her bing home. Or about her going back. 😝 😋

Great narration.

This book fleshes the characters and the world of the movie. Anne Hathaway does a wonderful job with the narration.

Great audio!

My 5 kids ages 5 through 14 all enjoyed it immensely! Well done, Anne Hathaway!

Whole family loved it!

My kids (2,4,6 and 8) loved this one as much as I did. Great discussion after about what is more important, a brain or a heart.

An enjoyable performance.

I greatly enjoyed the story Baum wrote, and don't know why I waited so many years to "read" it. I found Hathaway's performance quote enjoyable as well. She was able to bring a few different voices to the characters and I think it added a nice touch. Children would probably enjoy listening to her read this book to them, and as an adult, I can say I liked it as well.

The world of Oz is full of fantastic people and strange things, and I can't wait to get back into it in the other Oz books.