The Good Witch of the South is a beloved character in L. Frank Baum's famous children's book series, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz". She is one of four witches in the Land of Oz, alongside the Good Witch of the North, the Wicked Witch of the East, and the Wicked Witch of the West. Unlike the other witches, the Good Witch of the South is known for her kind and benevolent nature. She is described as being beautiful, gentle, and wise. She possesses magical powers that she uses for the good of others, rather than for personal gain or to harm others.
She possesses magical powers that she uses for the good of others, rather than for personal gain or to harm others. In the original book, the Good Witch of the South is introduced when Dorothy and her companions reach the Quadling Country in the southern part of Oz. She welcomes them and helps them on their journey to meet the Wizard of Oz, providing them with gifts and advice along the way.
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TC – The inspiration for the story came from the dust jacket cover art. I had just finished my memoir, Roads Over Brown County, which took me two years to write, and I was playing around with a fairy design and thought it would be a fantastic image for a book cover. I keep thinking how nice a fantasy book cover it would make but didn’t know what kind of story it should be, and I didn’t have a title. For some unknown reason, while I was working on the cover art, I was also reading Frank L. Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz again.
After I added tattoos on the fairy’s arm and some glowing orbs behind her, it came to me. I knew exactly who this fairy witch was. It made perfect sense; she was a good fairy witch, Glinda’s daughter, the Good Witch of the South. I instantly knew what I wanted to write.
For reasons I can’t explain, the first chapter I wrote in my journal was the epilogue. Everything else about the plot instantly fell into place.
What were some ideas that you wanted to keep from the classic Wizard of Oz and what were some new ideas you wanted to introduce?
TC – That’s a good question. I decided to combine aspects from Baum’s original book and the 1939 MGM movie with Judy Garland. Not many realize that in Baum’s books, Glinda was the Good Witch of the South, or also known as Glinda the Good, and not the Good Witch of the North. For fun, I decided to give Glinda the last name Glinda Goodwitch. I also decided to have the main characters from Baun’s book and the movie, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion play a part in my book. I also thought it would be fun to add subtle echoes from the movie within my book.
One of my favorite moments in the film is at the end when Dorothy is back home in her own bed, and she is telling her family and friends about Oz. I wanted to capture this iconic moment in the book.
So when the main character, Samantha Goodwitch, Glinda’s daughter, is recuperating from a terrible injury from fighting the vicious red alpha dragon. She wakes up in an unfamiliar bed and looks up at her companions, and tells them about a dream she’d been having. She points a trembling finger at each one and says, “You, and you, and you . . . . . and you were there.” I also had the new Wicked Witch taunt her victims as she did in the movie, using some of the barbs the Wicked Witch of the West used. All of these small touches made the story special and fun for me when I was writing. It made me smile.
I added one piece of imagery at the beginning of the book when Sam is crouched on the roof of the castle looking out across the land of Oz that has been with me since I was a child. I am almost sure it started from the very first time I watched the movie. It happens when the Munchkins escort Dorothy to the center of Munchkin City to show her the Yellow Brick Road. Where the Yellow Brick Road spirals out from the center of the city, there is another spiraling brick road, but the bricks are red. That always fascinated me, and I have ever wondered what kind of adventures one would find following the Red Brick Road. To this day, when I watch the movie, I whisper, “Dorothy, take the Red Brick Road.”
Sam is an intriguing character that I enjoyed watching develop. What were some obstacles you felt were important to the characters development?
Mainly believing in herself and proving herself to her mother, to her sister, and to everyone she loved. Every time I start a new book project, I struggle with it, from my children’s picture books to my novels – especially my novels. So, I say to everyone, “Believe!”
Do you plan to write other stories within the land of Oz?
When I first started writing this Ozarian tale, I said to myself, “What am I think writing a book based on a classic like Oz!” Doing another book? Well, I will tell you this: I have already written an outline. But to be honest, the two years it took me to write The Good Witch of the South knocked the breath out of me. I am not sure I have it in me to write another adventure in the Land of Oz. But one never knows.
I have to admit. Now that this Good Witch story is finished, I find myself genuinely missing my daily visits to the Oz.
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There is a darkness brewing in the west and alarming rumors of dragons and an evil enchantress building an army to overthrow the Great Head of Oz. A demon fairy witch the Land of Oz hasn’t seen since Dorothy Gale destroyed the Wicked Witch of the West.
Soon to be sixteen-year-old Samantha Goodwitch, the daughter of Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, knows she is disobeying her mother’s wishes when she leaves the castle to search for dragons, but she’d rather have an adventure than follow her mother’s command. When one of the Shadow Mountain Cats, Akasha, unexpectedly saves her life, the adventure turns deadly and a friendship grows between them.
But the rumors soon become real, and the freedom that had captured the hearts of the citizens of Oz is quickly unraveling. As the tensions mount and battles begin, Sam and Akasha find others who join them in the last Great War of Oz, to fight against the darkness that is devouring a once peaceful land.
*** A spectacular Ozarian adventure in the land of Oz ***
*** A spectacular Ozarian adventure in the land of Oz ***
Throughout the series, the Good Witch of the South continues to be a helper and protector to Dorothy and her friends. She appears in various forms, such as Glinda the Good Witch of the South and Tattypoo, using her magic to aid them in their quests and ensure their safety. The Good Witch of the South represents goodness, compassion, and guidance. She is a symbol of hope and provides a sense of comfort and reassurance to those she encounters. Her presence in the story is often seen as a guiding force, steering the characters towards the resolution of their problems and the attainment of their goals. In popular culture, the character of the Good Witch of the South has been portrayed in various adaptations of "The Wizard of Oz", including the iconic 1939 film starring Judy Garland. She is often depicted wearing a flowing white gown and a crown or tiara, emphasizing her regal and wise demeanor. Overall, the Good Witch of the South is a beloved character in the world of Oz. Her kindness, wisdom, and magical abilities make her an essential figure in the story, providing assistance and guidance to those in need. She serves as a reminder that even in the most challenging and magical of lands, there is always room for goodness and compassion..
Reviews for "The Good Witch of the South: Protecting Home and Hearth with Southern Magic"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I found "Good Witch of the South" to be incredibly dull and boring. The plot was lackluster and the characters were poorly developed. I couldn't connect with any of them and didn't care about their struggles. The writing was also subpar, with clumsy dialogue and a predictable storyline. Overall, it was a huge disappointment and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
2. Mike - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Good Witch of the South" but unfortunately, it fell short. The pacing was slow, and the story seemed to drag on without much happening. The magic elements felt forced and didn't add much to the plot. The main character lacked depth and I couldn't understand their motivations. While the concept had potential, the execution was underwhelming, leaving me unsatisfied at the end.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I was expecting a captivating and enchanting tale from "Good Witch of the South," but I was sorely disappointed. The world-building was weak, and the magical elements felt out of place and poorly explained. The romance subplot felt forced and didn't contribute much to the overall story. The writing style was also a letdown, with awkwardly structured sentences and repetitive descriptions. All in all, it didn't live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to fantasy lovers.