The Magic of Oz

The Magic of Oz was published in 1919, the last Oz book Baum completed before his death. The main plot follows a young Munchkin named Kiki Aru, who has discovered the secret magic word PYRZQXGL, which can transform any creature into any other shape. Kiki teams up with the recovering Nome King Ruggedo, who has been banished from his underground kingdom in earlier books, to conquer Oz by transforming themselves into wild animals and rousing the beasts of the Forest of Gugu against Ozma’s rule.

A parallel plotline follows Dorothy, the Wizard, Trot, Cap’n Bill, the Cowardly Lion, and the Hungry Tiger, who are searching for a magical birthday present for Princess Ozma involving a captured Magic Flower. The two plotlines converge in the wilderness. The Wizard learns the transformation word and uses it against the conspirators. The book has a satisfying late-Baum rhythm, with familiar characters performing recognizable roles. Knowing it was Baum’s last Oz novel gives certain scenes an unintended poignancy.