Oz seems a much larger and more magical place, full of more unusual and creative creatures than the movie, including her Majesty, queen of the mice, friendly countryfolk who provide food and board for our travelers, Winkies enslaved by the wicked witch, and an entire country made of china. Oz himself and all the witches (except Glinda) are much older, and therefore their struggles seemed to me more frail and bittersweet. Most of all I appreciated the companions, as they are more unto themselves in the book than silly friends that Dorothy dreamed up, which was an invention of the movie.
