Baum's second novel highlights importance of characters we can love

Watching Conan the Barbarian, during a rare lull in my daily activities this afternoon, reminded me of the beauty of some of the books I am currently encountering. Today's first chapter came from the 'sequel' to L.Frank Baum's outstanding success, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, 'The Marvelous Land of Oz'.

Not only is the author's note of great interest in this book, but the opening chapter introduces the reader to the charming characters of Tip, his 'creation' Jack Pumpkinhead' and the ominous Mombi (Tip's guardian and an apparent witch). It is a simple read, with Baum showing a natural gift for story-telling.

Which brings me to Conan. Known as a 'reboot' (in Hollywood parlance, that's a remake of an already popular movie, with a supposed new twist or interpretation), this film seemed more like a series of set pieces, with Conan getting to kill people in a lot of different and innovative ways. There were fights on sand, fights in the forest, fights with swords, fights without swords, fights in water, fights in caverns and tunnels...you get the idea.

What's the relevance of this to my latest foray into classic novels. Over the past three days, I have dipped into, and out of, the stories of Peter Pan and Wendy, Dorothy and Toto, and now Tip and Jack. They are all characters I have, no matter how briefly, come to know and love. I care about what happens to them and want to know that everything turns out all right for them. The ability of authors like Barrie and Baum to create this empathy for, and interest in, their characters is, I believe, largely responsible for the enduring success of their books.

In his note at the beginning of The Marvelous Land of Oz, Baum explains that it came into being after "a thousand little girls had written me a thousand little letters asking for the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman". While Conan enjoyed immense popularity as a comic book character, I will be surprised if he makes many more appearances on the big screen in the future. "A thousand little girls" are unlikely to write "a thousand little letters" asking for a reboot!