The Flying Girl and Her Chum

Well another Edith Van Dyne story under my belt and in my ever growing collection of books. "The Flying Girl and Her Chum" was published by The Reilly & Britton Company of Chicago, illustrated by Joseph Pierre Nuyttens and wrote 1912. I found my book on E-bay for $63.00

(Written by Jared Davis: A review of Amazon.com) In 1910, L. Frank Baum closed his Oz stories with "The Emerald City of Oz," trying to put Oz behind him so he could attempt new stories. The following years, he produced more books that were quite different from his Oz stories: "The Sea Fairies" and "Sky Island," two fantasies that let Baum write Oz-like fantasies without using Oz, "The Daring Twins" and "Phoebe Daring," two novels without fantasy trappings at all that Baum published under his own name, and "The Flying Girl" and "The Flying Girl And Her Chum," published under the pseudonym Edith Van Dyne.

Baum was able to write sequels to his stories that did not require a reading of the earlier books. "The Flying Girl And Her Chum" is no exception, as in the first chapter, Baum introduces new characters to his already established cast from the first book, covers what you need to know from the first story, and ties the new characters in with the lead character, Orissa Kane.

The story follows Orissa taking her friend (and her financier's daughter), Sybil Cumberford, with her as she test-flys her brother Steve's new hydro-plane. When they meet with an accident, Orissa and Sybil are stranded on a desert island with little provisions. While Orissa is resourceful, how long can they survive? And will Steve, Mr. Cumberford and the rest of the rescue party find them? Even when their yacht runs aground? And can they escape the self-proclaimed robber King of the Islands? Baum really breaks the style people might expect from his Oz books and some of his other works. He is able to make his story exciting and page-turning, taking unexpected twists along the way.

I heartily recommend Baum's works to anyone who wants a good read. He was a masterful if misunderstood storyteller, and "The Flying Girl And Her Chum" may seem as if he broke the mold, but in the end, we are left with another exciting L. Frank Baum story, just as he had been telling all along.

My Input- This story so far is one of the best Edith Van Dyne stories I have read with mystery, intrigue, an island crash and survival, Mexican outlaw pirates I just could not put it down. With 313 pages you could very easily polish this incredible story off in a day and it gives such wonderful insight into the mind of a master writer L. Frank Baum. Take the time, find this book and enjoy.