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Was Paperback – May 1, 1993

by
Geoff Ryman (Author)
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Geoff Ryman (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars 62 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin Books (May 1, 1993)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0140178724
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140178722
  • Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 7.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,328,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsThe darker side of "Wicked" . . .
By Traveler on January 24, 2005
Format: Paperback
Like many people, I read "Was" immediately after "Wicked."

Both books cover the same topic ("The Wizard of Oz") but they have different approaches, different agendas, different topics entirely. They're both excellent and really shouldn't be compared.

Whereas "Wicked" gives us a non-traditional view of what's _inside_ Oz, "Was" takes us into the more disturbing realms of reality. We see Dorothy as a human placed in horrible circumstances. We get a glimpse behind the curtain to see the suffering of "Judy Garland." And then Ryman brings it all together with a modern day scarecrow dying of AIDS.

"Wicked" was a fantastic metaphor. It made you think. It gave us imagery to wonder at and ponder. "Was" strips most of that away and attempts to give us a possible story behind the metaphor. As in, if Dorothy was a real person what would she be like?

"Was" is not light reading. It's not intended to be. If you like your fiction to stay out of the shadowy corners of human existence you should avoid this book completely. If, however, you'd like to see a dark vision of reality about Oz give "Was" a try.

It's unfortunate that this book gets slammed for what it clearly was never intended to be - like "Wicked." Both books are great. But they have different fish to fry.

I only give the book four stars because Ryman could have have done a better job in his characterization. Still, it's a very good book and will be one of the rare fiction titles that I plan to keep on my shelf indefinitely.
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5.0 out of 5 starsDense, Disturbing, & Difficult, but Lyrical and Moving
By A. Reid VINE VOICE on January 20, 2005
Format: Paperback
This dense and disturbing novel offers a look into the life of one Dorothy Gael of Kansas, Ryman's imaginary inspiration for the well-loved Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz, and into a bevy of other characters whose lives are touched (directly or indirectly) by her. His Dorothy doesn't have a happy story, and for most of the novel misery carries the day. It is softened by the depths of character and a few moving exemplars of compassion. Wrapped within the novel is a fascinating glimpse into the history of the book and the movie-from its disreputable and unsavory youth to its arrival as a full-blown American classic.

"Was" is not going to be universally appreciated. It is difficult. More than once I found myself reminded of James Joyce; there's a lot going on, and the language isn't always easy to penetrate. The book has something to say about human nature, the way the world and other people break us. Society's response to difference and pain. Homosexuality, child abuse, even the enfeeblement of the aged-the miseries of the human condition are shunned for their power to infect.

I can't say that I always enjoyed this book, though I'm glad I read it. I found it very well written. The characters were in my opinion completely believable. Ryman exhibits a compassion for everyone he writes here, from the least sympathetic to the most. He seems to really understand what drives human beings to the ways they behave, and, unlike the society he represents, he's willing to look at them unflinchingly. I did find the narrative jumps sometimes a little tough to follow; the book required more work than it always rewarded in that regard. But that's in keeping with the rest of this novel, which doesn't spoon-feed you answers. What's the purpose of all this misery?Read more ›
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4.0 out of 5 starsHauntingly good
By Theresa Mcdonald on January 1, 2001
Format: Paperback
A few years ago I read Gregory Maguire's take on the Wizard of Oz story in "Wicked" and was entranced with it. When I learned of the existance of "Was" I was excited to see someone else's take on twisting this story. I was not dissappointed. This is an incredibly creative, well written book. It was one of those rare gems in reading where I was completely transported into the pages and felt like I was there with the characters. The parts of the book set in pioneer times were my favorite and made me feel the way I used to feel as a child when I first fell in love with reading. I would recommend this book to everyone. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was because the entire book was so stellar and then I felt the ending was just too abrupt and anti-climatic.
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5.0 out of 5 starsMemorable Take on Oz, Its Dreamers and Discontents
By J. Jamakaya on November 13, 2014
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
"Was" is a memorable take on "The Wizard of Oz." It connects Dorothy Gael of Kansas and Oz author L. Frank Baum with the actress Judy Garland and two men in more recent times, a psychiatrist named Bill who met the elderly Dorothy, and Jonathan, a young man struggling with AIDS, searching for both Dorothy and that elusive rainbow.

The story is very intricately structured. It switches between 1870s and `80s Kansas, California and MGM in the 1930s and `50s, Ontario in the 1960s and finally, Kansas again in 1989. It takes a while to see how all the characters and elements of the story fit together but has a very dramatic and moving climax.

The author depicts a hard, traumatic life on the prairie for young Dorothy which is later transformed and idealized by Baum into his immortal tale of Dorothy and the Wizard. Garland is seen, too, as emotionally scarred by her home life and the loss of her father. Jonathan was a sensitive child with a fascination for the movie "Oz" who has made pilgrimages to Garland sites. When he learns his doctor Bill met the real Dorothy, he sets out to find the original home of Dorothy, Aunty Em and Uncle Henry in rural Kansas.

As the title "Was" suggests, the story - multiple stories really - are nostalgic and even mournful in tone. Lost childhoods, harsh realities and the elusiveness of happy endings are dominant themes. For me it was almost like reading one of Thomas Hardy's tragic novels. I hope that doesn't put readers off. There is a beauty and depth and compassion to Ryman's writing that make the book very worthwhile. Highly recommended, especially for those who love the "Oz" tales and revisionist epics like "Wicked."
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 starsIncredibly Depressing

I don’t think many readers will stick around to the end of this dark, depressing, re-imagining of the Wizard of Oz story. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Melissa McCauley
5.0 out of 5 starsThis isn't somewhere over the Rainbow...

Wow. This book was very moving. Depressing and tragic, but it was still a good, powerful story nonetheless. Read more

Published 9 months ago by Cynthia Peach
5.0 out of 5 starsPhenomenal, but not for the faint of heart.

On one level, I cannot believe only one person has ever recommended this novel to me. On another level, I'm surprised I was able to endure this heart-wrenching story at all. Read more

Published 11 months ago by Jonathan Woods
2.0 out of 5 starsAbusive

If this book had a subtitle, it would be "The Rape of Oz." Ryman abuses all our innocent memories of Oz and its inhabitants. Read more

Published 12 months ago by hope
2.0 out of 5 starsThe part focusing on Dorothy was excellent, but the gay character is...

The part focusing on Dorothy was excellent, but the gay character is poorly fleshed out, riddled with clichés, and very outdated. Cringeworthy.

Published 18 months ago by Evangelos Stowell
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

Thank you!

Published 20 months ago by Mem
5.0 out of 5 starsUnique

The story-telling drew me in from the beginning and held my attention to the end. I wanted more in some sections, though the story was mostly complete. Read more

Published 21 months ago by L. Nichols
5.0 out of 5 starsOne of the most extraordinary books I have ever read

WAS is simply brilliant, and I have no idea why no one in Hollywood has snatched it up--it would make a remarkable film. The way Mr. Read more

Published 22 months ago by Jonathan Pell
3.0 out of 5 starsEngaging at times

I enjoyed some parts of the book. Others were harder to get through. I am glad I took the time to read it.

Published on March 13, 2014 by KP
5.0 out of 5 starsTerrific Book, Good Service

A friend recommended this author and this book and I was not at all disappointed. Fine writing and an amazing imagination. Made for a terrific read. Bookseller was prompt. Read more

Published on January 29, 2014 by JKINGHORN

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