Trying to identify a book I read when I was a kid...

July 2, 2022 11:26 AM

I have a distinct memory of reading a book in school. I must have been about 8 at the time. Some of this might be me me misremembering things, but it seemed like some sort of rip-off of The Wizard of Oz, but set in a futuristic Australia, or an outer space version of Australia.

I don't think it was necessarily supposed to be based on the Wizard of Oz, but there were enough similarities that it seemed that way to me when I read it. I think the book probably had pictures, but can't be sure. A long shot, but I suppose for a school to have bought the book it must have been relatively well known? This was probably in about 1999.

posted by iamsuper to Media & Arts (3 answers total)

I know you said a book, but just in case your memory is playing tricks on you, the movie Circuitry Man immediately came to mind. It's a post-apocalyptic tale with a strong Wizard of O vibe at least to me), and the main antagonist has an Australian accent.
posted by Tabitha Someday at 1:00 PM on July 2, 2022 [1 favorite]

Outer space version of Australia: Norstrilia by Cordwainer Smith. Not sure if it's what you're thinking of, but it's hilarious and bizarre as heck.
posted by ovvl at 1:06 PM on July 2, 2022 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: It wasn't either of those unfortunately, but thanks for bringing them to my attention!
posted by iamsuper at 6:20 AM on July 10, 2022