The story in one page
Dorothy Gale and her cousin Zeb are swallowed by an earthquake, landing in a vast, dangerous underworld along with a kitten and a grumpy cab-horse. They traverse bizarre domains populated by vegetable people and wooden gargoyles, eventually reuniting with a traveling magician. Guided by this experienced conjurer, the travelers navigate caverns and pits to reach the surface. Through the intervention of the ruler of Oz, who wields a powerful magic belt, the entire party is summoned to the Emerald City for a reunion. After enjoying the hospitality of their friends, Dorothy and her companions are magically returned to their homes in Kansas.
Who's who
- Dorothy
A seasoned traveler of magical lands returning home again.
- The Wizard
A skilled conjurer who provides guidance through the underworld.
- Zeb
Dorothy's cousin who experiences his first trip underground.
- Ozma
The ruler of Oz who provides magical rescue.
- Jim
A skeptical cab-horse who finds underworld travel taxing.
What it's really about
- Homecoming
- The constant pull of Kansas over magic realms.
- Magical Navigation
- Using artifacts and clever tricks to solve puzzles.
Why it's memorable
- A princess growing on a bush waiting to be picked.
- A cab-horse arguing with a wooden sawhorse about his status.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
Ozma uses her magic belt to send Dorothy back to Kansas and Zeb back to his uncle's ranch. The sudden return leaves their relatives baffled by their reappearance.
For your book club
- The contrast between Kansas reality and subterranean fantasy.
- The logistical challenge of transporting a horse through magical caverns.