The Surprising Adventures of the Magical Monarch of Mo (Version 2)

"I dare say, there are several questions you would like to ask at the very beginning of this history. First: Who is the Monarch of Mo? And why is he called the Magical Monarch? And where is Mo, anyhow? And why have you never heard of it before? And can it be reached by a railroad or a trolley-car, or must one walk all the way? These questions I realize should be answered before we (that "we" means you and the book) can settle down for a comfortable reading of all the wonders and astonishing adventures I shall endeavor faithfully to relate. In the first place, the Monarch of Mo is a very pleasant personage holding the rank of King. He is not very tall, nor is he very short; he is midway between fat and lean; he is delightfully jolly when he is not sad, and seldom sad if he can possibly be jolly. How old he may be I have never dared to inquire; but when we realize that he is destined to live as long as the Valley of Mo exists we may reasonably suppose the Monarch of Mo is exactly as old as his native land. And no one in Mo has ever reckoned up the years to see how many they have been. So we will just say that the Monarch of Mo and the Valley of Mo are each a part of the other, and can not be separated." And so starts this fun series of 'surprises' as Baum calls the chapters, each a delightful present to unwrap carefully and enjoy fully. - Summary by the author and phil chenevert (3 hr 37 min)

Chapters

THE FIRST SURPRISE The Beautiful Valley of Mo	6:14	Read by Phil Chenevert
THE SECOND SURPRISE The Strange Adventures of the King's Head	15:46	Read by Phil Chenevert
THE THIRD SURPRISE The Tramp Dog and the Monarch's Lost Temper	10:29	Read by Phil Chenevert
THE FOURTH SURPRISE The Peculiar Pains of Fruit Cake Island	10:45	Read by Phil Chenevert
THE FIFTH SURPRISE The Monarch Celebrates His Birthday	14:51	Read by Phil Chenevert
THE SIXTH SURPRISE King Scowleyow and His Cast-Iron Man	9:01	Read by Phil Chenevert
THE SEVENTH SURPRISE Timtom and the Princess Pattycake	28:21	Read by Phil Chenevert
THE EIGHTH SURPRISE The Bravery of Prince Jollikin	12:12	Read by Phil Chenevert
THE NINTH SURPRISE The Wizard and the Princess	19:58	Read by Phil Chenevert
THE TENTH SURPRISE The Duchess Bredenbutta's Visit to Turvyland	13:28	Read by Phil Chenevert
THE ELEVENTH SURPRISE Prince Fiddlecumdoo and the Giant	26:27	Read by Phil Chenevert
THE TWELFTH SURPRISE The Land of the Civilized Monkeys	17:55	Read by Phil Chenevert
THE THIRTEENTH SURPRISE The Stolen Plum-Pudding	21:51	Read by Phil Chenevert
THE FOURTEENTH SURPRISE The Punishment of the Purple Dragon	10:07	Read by Phil Chenevert

Reviews

Good, but rather disturbing

(3 stars)

Pink Blossom

This is a good book, but their are some rather disturbing parts. I don't understand how they can say Glinda of Oz had a dark disturbing scene and how everyone was in such a huff about it. I mean really a bunch of spiders and Halloween decorations pretty much not that dark and disturbing. This book really I'm curious what those people say about these scenes here lol. Well anyways not bad of a book. Definitely not L. Frank Baum best work in my opinion. Most definitely not my favorite book of his either. I would say this would be on the bottom of my list to read.

ummm...

(4.5 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

There is no way you can convince me L. Frank Baum didn't do some serious drugs. I enjoyed the stories though, ridiculous as they were. I found myself laughing at some parts I probably shouldn't have been. I don't usually find torture and dismemberment funny, but this collection is so unreal. Again, reader did a fantastic job. He's very enjoyable.

'surprises,' maybe not "delightful presents..."

(4 stars)

potuc

Baum must have either been on some drugs or doing some sort of "write the most horrifyingly strange children's book you can" challenge. I have no idea why this needed to be so gruesome... and I find myself chuckling at the horrific descriptions in this book. I probably am on drugs too, I guess ;)