Customer Reviews

Spiritual Symbolism in the Wizard of Oz: The Soul's Journey on the Golden Path

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This is a fine book, indeed. J. J. Farias researched his facts meticulously. His comprehensive treatment of the symbolism that Frank Baum started and that MGM continued (and revised) leads us on our own journey, because it is hard to read this book about Dorothy's journey and not contemplate our own. That, of course, is the point of the book: that we all have our own golden path to travel, and that the lessons we learn along the way will help us eventually to find our true home. I will note that Farias has been careful not to infringe on copyright issues with the movie. As a writer and editor myself, I like that kind of integrity in an author.
If you are an Oz fan, this book will enrich your life.

Wow. Let me just first say, the publishers of this book are super-nice people. And I have my autographed copy, which I got in March and just finished a few weeks ago (in June). I think this is an important book. It definitely helped me fine-tune a project I'm working on. Great read for anyone who loves the movie! This is a deep book, but it's not heavy, and Javier J. Farias did not miss a beat elevating every aspect of the Wizard of Oz film. The love comes through! There is a marked difference between the film and the original book by L.F. Baum: Dorothy is not a child, but an adolescent. So I appreciated being able to read Farias's insights, as I grew to adore the movie when I turned 13. (I read the original book when I was 9, and loved it.) But as a kid, the movie haunted me and I wasn't really sure what to think of it until I became a young lady. Dorothy's a young woman grappling with the concerns about where she fits-in in her world, and who she is as a person with natural power. Often inspired by Toto, she knows she can't depend on her immature tendencies to act-out. She is challenged to find integrity in order to get her needs met. (Gee, I think I just described the little girl downstairs!) In 13 chapters, Farias details Dorothy's journey in metaphysical allegory. As a student of the film, I took copious notes and found this to be the most thorough collection of insights I've read. Especially interesting is the harassment from the Wicked Witch of the West, and her affect on Dorothy... Who might not have made it out of the Deadly Field of Poppies, and who was challenged to "surrender" unceasingly by a force set-out to destroy her. Dorothy is polarized throughout her travels in Oz, and comes to terms with the other elements of fire (the power of the Ruby Slippers) water (the emotions of Tin Man, and the ability to melt a Witch with water) air (her romantic attraction to Scarecrow's mindset) and earth (Cowardly Lion's gusto). Imagine integrating all those energies, and then bumping-in to a big lout like the Wizard! Who overcompensates for his insecurity by bawling everyone out! What I gleaned from this material is a tantric rhythm which makes Dorothy a very fun and unique personality; someone who is flexible enough to stay light, trusting enough to have friends, and honest enough to see things for what they are. Nice job! And thank you for putting so much care into it!

Spiritual Journeys along the Yellow Brick Road, by Darren Main, is a similar book.