Following its publication in 1900, L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has fascinated generations with its whimsical plot, lively characters, and themes of self-discovery. In more recent years, authors have reimagined the beloved story through darker themes and complex lenses. From perspective flips to the recharacterization of Dorothy, these retellings flip this classic story on its head. If you enjoy morally gray characters, fantasy worlds, or are fans of The Wizard of Oz, these retellings will make you feel like you’re not in Kansas anymore!
Trigger Warning: This article, along with the content of some of the following books, mentions sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, bullying, and animal cruelty that may be triggering to some readers. Please exercise personal care when reading.
Spelled by Betsy Schow
This fast-paced and witty retelling follows the story of Princess Dorthea of Emerald, who is not your typical fairy-tale princess. She’s got designer red heels and magical powers, and a strong refusal to her future arranged marriage. When destiny leads her to the inevitable royal engagement with the grumpy Prince Kato, she immediately refuses and wishes on a star instead. Unfortunately for her, that star was cursed, blowing her kingdom apart, leading to a slew of misfortunes, including her parents disappearing to a strange place called “Kansas.” Now, with the world of Story up in chaos, it is up to Princess Dorothea and her arranged fiancé, Kato, to find the mystifying Wizard of Oz to undo the curse. They set off on a long journey filled with many creatures, curses, and a fearsome, wicked witch waiting for them.
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
Long before Dorothy’s arrival and adventure in Oz, there was Elphaba, a girl with emerald-green skin who was often misunderstood. Gregory Maguire’s Wicked reimagines the world of Oz as more complex, with darker themes, making readers question what it means for someone to be wicked. This retelling follows one of the most notorious villains retold as not the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, but as a brilliant and headstrong woman fighting for justice in a world of corrupt power, fading magic, and where talking animals are forced into silence. This retelling blends fantasy and social critique in a story that captured the hearts of many, inspiring the widely known Broadway musical.
Was by Geoff Ryman
Was isn’t your well-known magical journey through Oz; instead, it is a gritty retelling of the classic tale, exploring trauma and the search for identity, without the magic and munchkins. This novel questions the world of Oz, whether it was not a dream at all but a coping mechanism born from trauma and pain. In the story, we are introduced to Dorothy Gale, a 19th-century orphan from Kansas whose life of abuse strangely echoes The Wizard of Oz story. After several years had passed, L. Frank Baum, a substitute teacher who briefly rescues her, and Johnathon, a gay actor dying of AIDS in the 1980s, use the world of Oz as a sort of therapeutic escape. Was blends historical fiction with themes such as childhood trauma and the power of imagination, examining both fiction and reality in a heartbreaking novel.
Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Though this novel is not a fantasy retelling of the iconic story, Holly Goldberg Sloan delivers a charming reimagining that’s just as enchanting. Instead of following the yellow brick road to Emerald City, it leads straight to a local community theater. Julia, a girl who is pretty short for her age, is cast in a summer production of The Wizard of Oz as a Munchkin and finds herself growing in an unexpected way. Through her friendships with Olive, an adult actor with dwarfism, and Mrs. Chang, her eccentric neighbor, Julia’s journey throughout the novel is filled with self-discovery, creativity, and courage in her life and on the stage. Short is a heartwarming book celebrating the power of friendship, the world of theater, and the discovery of one’s voice, similar to the iconic story of Oz.
Twisted by Elizabeth Montgomery
If the world and journey of The Wizard of Oz blended with the whimsy and characters of Alice in Wonderland, the result would be Elizabeth Montgomery’s Twisted! This wild and magical tale follows Dee, who, upon losing her sparkly red heels, befriends a witch to help her on her way back home, which results in a twist of events. The worlds of Oz and Wonderland clash and create a tangled chaos. From flying monkeys to the Mad Hatter being lost on the yellow brick road, Dee must embark on a quest to navigate through the madness and find her way back home. This story is a fast-paced and playful reimagining of the classic story.
Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige
In this four-part book series, Danielle Paige delivers a nightmarish reimagining of the world of Oz with Dorothy as its tyrant. This YA story follows Amy Gumm, a girl from Kansas who similarly gets scooped up by a tornado and ends up in the all-too-familiar world of Oz. Little does she know that this world is different from the Oz she knew, with the destroyed yellow brick road, corrupt magic, and a power-hungry Dorothy. Amy, recruited by the Revolutionary Order, which was a group of rebels from the Wicked, is tasked to restore balance to Oz by taking down Dorothy. If you’re looking for a story with twists, turns, and a headstrong heroine, this book and series may be the perfect fit!
After Oz by Gordon McAlpine
This story is a chilling take on The Wizard of Oz, exploring mental health and a closed-minded society, set in 1890s Kansas, and follows Dorothy’s heartfelt journey. When she returns and recounts her magical travels through the land of Oz, she is met with suspicious looks and accusations of witchcraft upon the discovery of the body of a dead woman, resulting in Dorothy being taken away to the Topeka Insane Asylum. Following the lock-up of Dorothy, a twenty-eight-year-old psychologist, Evelyn Wilford begins to question if Dorothy actually committed the accused crime or if her wild story of Munchkins and a talking scarecrow is true.
Toto by A.J. Hackwith
We all know Dorothy’s journey through Oz, but have you ever wondered what was going through the mind of her most loyal companion, Toto? A.J. Hackwith’s book is filled with charm, humor, and a touch of trouble. Toto finds himself entangled in a complex web of magic, witches, and talking animals. This isn’t just a sweet retelling, but a subversive adventure that incorporates aspects of the familiar world, including red shoes and a yellow brick road. With humor, interesting characters, and a tiny-but-mighty hero, Toto captivates audiences with an original retelling!
As it turns out, there is no set way to get to Oz, just like there isn’t a set way to tell or reimagine a story. Whether it is a compelling coming-of-age tale or an eerie fantasy full of corrupt magic, these retellings prove that the world of Oz has many paths for writers and readers to take. So pack your sparkly red slippers (or sneakers), and prepare to follow the yellow brick road to your next Oz adventure!
To feel safe at all times is a fundamental human right; let’s work to make this world physically and mentally safe for everyone. Help is available at:
The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
The National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-488-7386
Want to continue your trip through The Wizard of Oz franchise? Learn more about the nostalgic tracks from the movie here.
To find another whimsical adventure for your TBR, check out our Bookshop bookshelf, Fantasy Lovers Paradise!
