The Wizard of the Emerald City
Encyclopedia
The Wizard of the Emerald City is a 1939 children's novel by Russia
n writer Alexander Melentyevich Volkov
. The book is a loose translation of L. Frank Baum
's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
. Baum's name is sometimes credited in the book (in the appendix by Volkov, which is found in some editions, where Volkov describes the origins of his book), though Baum's estate never received royalties from the Soviet Union. The names of most characters are changed, some elements of Baum's novel are removed, and some new elements are added. The book was revised in 1959 and became quite popular in the 1960s, leading to five sequels: Urfin Jus and his Wooden Soldiers (1963), The Seven Underground Kings (1964), The Fiery God of the Marrans (1968), The Yellow Fog (1970), and The Secret of the Abandoned Castle (1975, published in 1982). These sequels were written by Volkov himself and are not based on Baum's plot elements, although we do encounter the powder of life, a character called Charlie Black who is not unlike Cap'n Bill
, intelligent foxes, and the use of a Sandboat similar to Johnny Dooit's, albeit with wheels.
Volkov's Magic Land series, as it was called, was translated into many languages and was popular with children all over the Eastern bloc
. Volkov's version of Oz seems to be better known than Baum's in some countries, for example in China
and the former East Germany. The books in the series have been translated into English — or retranslated, in the case of the first book — by Peter L. Blystone, and were published by Red Branch Press in three volumes (two books per volume) in 1991 (revised edition 2010), 1993, and 2007. A very important reason for the success of these books were the illustrations by Leonid Vladimirsky.
The English edition (translation) together with the first sequel is Tales of Magic Land 1.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n writer Alexander Melentyevich Volkov
Alexander Melentyevich Volkov
Alexander Melentyevich Volkov was a Soviet novelist and mathematician.He wrote several historical novels, but is mostly remembered for a series of children's books based on L...
. The book is a loose translation of L. Frank Baum
L. Frank Baum
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author of children's books, best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. Originally published by the George M. Hill Company in Chicago on May 17, 1900, it has since been reprinted numerous times, most often under the name The Wizard of Oz, which is the name of...
. Baum's name is sometimes credited in the book (in the appendix by Volkov, which is found in some editions, where Volkov describes the origins of his book), though Baum's estate never received royalties from the Soviet Union. The names of most characters are changed, some elements of Baum's novel are removed, and some new elements are added. The book was revised in 1959 and became quite popular in the 1960s, leading to five sequels: Urfin Jus and his Wooden Soldiers (1963), The Seven Underground Kings (1964), The Fiery God of the Marrans (1968), The Yellow Fog (1970), and The Secret of the Abandoned Castle (1975, published in 1982). These sequels were written by Volkov himself and are not based on Baum's plot elements, although we do encounter the powder of life, a character called Charlie Black who is not unlike Cap'n Bill
Cap'n Bill
Cap'n Bill Weedles is a fictional character found in L. Frank Baum's Land of Oz. Cap'n Bill and his friend Trot were introduced in Baum's fantasy novels The Sea Fairies and Sky Island . They first appear in Oz in The Scarecrow of Oz , the ninth book in the Oz series.Cap'n Bill Weedles is an...
, intelligent foxes, and the use of a Sandboat similar to Johnny Dooit's, albeit with wheels.
Volkov's Magic Land series, as it was called, was translated into many languages and was popular with children all over the Eastern bloc
Eastern bloc
The term Eastern Bloc or Communist Bloc refers to the former communist states of Eastern and Central Europe, generally the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact...
. Volkov's version of Oz seems to be better known than Baum's in some countries, for example in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and the former East Germany. The books in the series have been translated into English — or retranslated, in the case of the first book — by Peter L. Blystone, and were published by Red Branch Press in three volumes (two books per volume) in 1991 (revised edition 2010), 1993, and 2007. A very important reason for the success of these books were the illustrations by Leonid Vladimirsky.
Characters
| Name | Russian | Translation | Baum equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellie Smith | Элли Смит | – | Dorothy Gale Dorothy Gale Dorothy Gale is the protagonist of many of the Oz novels by American author L. Frank Baum, and the best friend of Oz's ruler Princess Ozma. Dorothy first appears in Baum's classic children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and reappears in most of its sequels... |
| Totoshka | Тотошка | – | Toto Toto (dog) Toto is the name of a fictional dog in L. Frank Baum's Oz series of children's books, and works derived from them. The name is pronounced with a long "O", a homonym of "toe toe". The dog was originally a cairn terrier drawn by W.W. Denslow for the first edition of the Wizard of Oz... |
| Strashila | Страшила | Scary one | Scarecrow Scarecrow (Oz) The Scarecrow is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum and illustrator William Wallace Denslow. In his first appearance, the Scarecrow reveals that he lacks a brain and desires above all else to have one. In reality, he is only two days old and merely... |
| Zhelezny Drovosyek | Железный Дровосек | Iron Lumberjack | The Tin Woodman |
| Truslivy Lev | Трусливый Лев | Cowardly Lion | Cowardly Lion Cowardly Lion The Cowardly Lion is the main character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum. He is a Lion, but he talks and interacts with humans.... |
| James Goodwin | Джеймс Гудвин | – | The Wizard Wizard (Oz) The Wizard of Oz, known during his reign as The Great and Powerful Oz, is the epithet of Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkel Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs, a fictional character in the Land of Oz, created by American author L... |
| Villina | Виллина | – | Good Witch of the North Good Witch of the North The Good Witch of the North is a fictional character in the Land of Oz, created by American author L. Frank Baum. She is the elderly and mild-mannered Ruler of the Gillikin Country... |
| Stella | Стелла | – | Glinda the Good Witch |
| Gingema | Гингема | – | Wicked Witch of the East Wicked Witch of the East The Wicked Witch of the East is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum in his Oz series of books.... |
| Bastinda | Бастинда | – | Wicked Witch of the West Wicked Witch of the West The Wicked Witch of the West is a fictional character and the most significant antagonist in L. Frank Baum's children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz... |
| Din GeeOr | Дин Гиор | – | Soldier with the Green Whiskers Soldier with the Green Whiskers The Soldier with the Green Whiskers is a major character in the Oz books of L. Frank Baum and his successors. His name is Omby Amby, but this was so obliquely stated that he also became known briefly as Wantowin Battles.-Early appearances:... |
| Faramant | Фарамант | – | Guardian of the Gates |
| Ramina | Рамина | – | Queen of the Field Mice |
Notable differences between "The Wizard of the Emerald City" and the original book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"
- In the original book, Winkies' favorite color is yellow. In Volkov's version, it's purple.
- In the original book, the characters at one point have to run away from beasts called Kalidahs. In Volkov's version, Kalidahs are replaced with saber-toothed tigersSmilodonSmilodon , often called a saber-toothed cat or saber-toothed tiger, is an extinct genus of machairodonts. This saber-toothed cat was endemic to North America and South America, living from near the beginning through the very end of the Pleistocene epoch .-Etymology:The nickname "saber-tooth" refers...
. - The Fighting Trees and the China Country are omitted in Volkov's version. Instead, the main characters have to cross another river by making another raft, and things go awry when a storm begins.
- In Volkov's version, just before meeting the Cowardly Lion, Ellie gets kidnapped by an ogre, and Scarecrow and the Woodman save her.
- In Volkov's version, Munchkins, Winkies and Quadlings (renamed as Chatters) have different tics involving their people's names: Munchkins constantly move their jaws as if they were chewing, Winkies blink a lot and Chatters can't stop talking.
- The armless Hammer-Heads with stretching necks were replaced in Volkov's version with an anatomically correct and physically strong nation of Leapers.
- In Volkov's version, as soon as Ellie and Toto arrive in Magic Land, Toto gains the ability to speak, which he retains until they leave. In Baum's version, this is not the case, and Toto behaves exactly like a normal dog.
- In Baum's version, Dorothy is an orphan and lives with her uncle Henry and her aunt Em. In Volkov's version, Ellie lives with both of her parents, John and Ann.
- In the original version, the Good Witch of the North kisses Dorothy on her forehead, blessing her, and the Wicked Witch of the West doesn't dare hit her because of the blessing. In Volkov's version, Villina doesn't kiss Ellie, and Bastinda is afraid of hitting Ellie because she wears the silver shoes.
- In the original version, Dorothy was unaware of the Wicked Witch of the West's aquaphobia until the latter melted. In Volkov's version, Ellie knew Bastinda was afraid of water, and often left the kitchen floor wet to annoy the witch.
- An additional subplot in Volkov's version during Ellie's imprisonment in Bastinda's castle involves Ellie and the cook Fregoza motivating other Winkies to prepare a coup against Bastinda.
- The prologue in Baum's book tells the story solely from Dorothy's point of view. The prologue in Volkov's book tells the story first from Ellie's prospective, then switches to Gingema then back to Ellie who is running away from the cylone.
- In Baum's book, Kansas is presented as a gray, dull place as opposed to the Land of Oz. In Volkov's book, the contrast isn't shown, which lets the reader guess Kansas is not a bad place for Ellie to live.
The English edition (translation) together with the first sequel is Tales of Magic Land 1.
- Volkov, Alexander Melentyevich, translation by Peter L. Blystone. Tales of Magic Land 1 (2nd revised edition). Red Branch Press, 2010. ISBN 978-0-557-44825-8