Aunt Jane's Nieces in Society

3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews

Summary
Louise Merrick's mother complains to Uncle John that his three nieces have not been introduced to society as they should be. While he arranges for it to happen, the results are somewhat unexpected.

Review
By now, the formula for an Aunt Jane's Nieces novel is fairly clear – doting Uncle John will create an opportunity for the three different but lovable girls to shine, while also giving the author the opportunity to make his politics known in passing. In this case, of course, it's Baum's views on the pointlessness of high society – in which the girls naturally shine.

The book is somewhat different than usual in that the girls do not carry the day by themselves, being more acted up on than acting. On the other hand, they do progress in life somewhat, rather than remaining static characters in the cast. And it gives slightly more opportunity for love interests, and Arthur Weldon in particular, to stand out.

Baum certainly has some things to say about society, but he's not overly heavy-handed, and the different characters of the girls as usual gives him an opportunity for some debate, which is interesting in a historico-sociological way.

The actual plot mechanics are on the thin side here. The girls win out, the bad people are caught, but consequences are fairly thin, and at least one evildoer gets away almost unscathed. It's more about the setting and the commentary here than the plot itself.