Was by Geoff Ryman was one of 2 books chosen for the RiSi Reading Group in May.  Existing review thread.  Below are just my thoughts on the book - please add your own!

 

I absolutely loved this book when I first read it. I am always especially susceptible to books which involve re-working a traditional story, myth or fairy tale, but I found this one (based on the Wizard of Oz) incredibly powerful; although I also found the bleak historical outlook of Kansas somewhat harrowing. On re-reading for the Reading Group, I found the Kansas sections by far the most successful of the book, and while the portions relating to Frances Gumm/Judy Garland and the movie version added to that, I found the framework involving Jonathan in the past and present day really didn't, and in fact felt slightly cliched.

I think I ultimately felt as though Ryman was trying to do a bit more than necessary with this novel. The historical Dorothy-in-Kansas parts of the book could easily have stood alone, and while I really enjoyed the way the story caught up with Dorothy in her final days, and also the back-story provided for Aunty Em in the final chapters, I think these could have been worked in without involving Jonathan at all. I didn't hate his sections of the book, but I did feel like they were a little unnecessary, and therefore detracted slightly from the rest of the story. Although I do appreciate how the theme of mythologising reality is continued in all strands of the story.

Overall, though, I still really enjoyed this book, and having read it a second time am certain I will read it again in the future. I have found that it has a lot of different aspects, and has the potential to offer something different, each time you read it.

 

 

I was reading this for the first time and I thought it was a splendid story, well told. Personally I thought the grim Kansas story, though compelling and necessary, went on for too long, and I did like the Jonathan sequences and found the later story of Dorothy very moving. Fantasy elements, yes - but what would a story of Oz be without it?

tolly18:

Fantasy elements, yes - but what would a story of Oz be without it?

I forgot to mention the fantasy aspect, because I never think of it as a fantasy novel at all.  I read the fantastical elements as really more part of the characters' psychologies rather than as fact, so was really surprised when at one point the only edition available was in the Fantasy Masterworks series.  I really would have expected this book to appeal more to a 'general fiction' (or possibly historical fiction) reader than someone who more usually reads fantasy - although there is an 'alternative history' sub-genre of fantasy that Was perhaps fits into...?  I think it's one of those novels that is a bit tricky to pigeonhole, actually.

 

neverendings:

tolly18:

Fantasy elements, yes - but what would a story of Oz be without it?

I forgot to mention the fantasy aspect, because I never think of it as a fantasy novel at all.  I read the fantastical elements as really more part of the characters' psychologies rather than as fact, so was really surprised when at one point the only edition available was in the Fantasy Masterworks series.  I really would have expected this book to appeal more to a 'general fiction' (or possibly historical fiction) reader than someone who more usually reads fantasy - although there is an 'alternative history' sub-genre of fantasy that Was perhaps fits into...?  I think it's one of those novels that is a bit tricky to pigeonhole, actually.

 

 

 

Definitely! I thought at times Jonathan's delusions, and Dorothy's later story, veered more to fantasy than delusion but I guess this could be read in many ways. Fascinating book, taken any way at all. Having enjoyed 253 immensely I now have The King's Last Story on tbr, which looks to be totally different again.

 

I have not yet finished this, I have just read the first part and 2 more to go, so I hope it improves.  I must admit I have skim read parts from the historical dorothy in Kansas, as it was either that or give up.

Reading the reviews I am going to continue with it...so watch this space. If anyone wants a copy mine will be available when I finish it.

I finished it...hard going. I don't know it was worth it.  I think it went on too long and it was a bit long winded. I also struggled in places as to whether they were dreaming or what was happening.

emzbez1:

I finished it...hard going. I don't know it was worth it.  I think it went on too long and it was a bit long winded. I also struggled in places as to whether they were dreaming or what was happening.

I think the ambiguity of dream and reality was part of the point.   I think some of the characters were crossing the line between fantasy and reality, for various reasons.  Sometimes fantasy feels safer, or makes reality easier to deal with; and if you believe in a fantasy, it can become more real.  That was one of the things I liked about the book.

 

neverendings:

emzbez1:

I finished it...hard going. I don't know it was worth it.  I think it went on too long and it was a bit long winded. I also struggled in places as to whether they were dreaming or what was happening.

I think the ambiguity of dream and reality was part of the point.   I think some of the characters were crossing the line between fantasy and reality, for various reasons.  Sometimes fantasy feels safer, or makes reality easier to deal with; and if you believe in a fantasy, it can become more real.  That was one of the things I liked about the book.

 

I mentioned about the factual/fiction part becoming blurred in my review.  I enjoyed it on the whole.  I preferred the Dorothy part of the book but felt that parts of the book could have been culled as it did seem to go on.  I will read more books by him.

I finished this last night, and absolutely loved it!  Yes, it's bleak, but that fit perfectly with the setting!  It hooked me from start to finish, and it looks like I'm in the minority, in that I really loved all the sections, not just bits of them, and I loved how they intersected and blended, etc!

Very good book, and a new author to me, will def be seeking out more by him in the future!

Nat