With Wicked: For Good set to release in the U.S. on Nov. 21, viewers will once again be immersed into L. Frank Baum’s Ozian world of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The book, a widely-regarded classic, begins in a gray world: Kansas. 

The Kansas prairies where Dorothy lives are described as nearly devoid of color. Exhaustion from the harsh environment has left only Dorothy and Toto, her dog, as splashes of color surrounded by gray. But when a spontaneous tornado arrives, Dorothy and Toto are transported to a different world. This world is full of color, cheerful citizens, and celebration. 

Dorothy finds herself an accidental hero. Her house landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, who had tyrannically reigned over the land of the Munchkins for years. But to get home to Kansas, Dorothy has only one person she can ask: the Wizard of Oz, an all-powerful wizard. 

Although she starts with just the Wicked Witch of the East’s silver shoes, a protective kiss from the Witch of the North, and Toto, the pair soon gather a company to travel with. A scarecrow is in search of a brain. A tin woodman, a heart. And all one cowardly lion hopes for is courage. 

Baum’s world is full of rich descriptions and beloved, distinct characters, making the story interesting even through all the traveling. It’s especially interesting to see Dorothy’s companions display the things they ask the Wizard for, proving that they had all the things they wanted, all along. 

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a nostalgic classic of magic, friendship, and lessons on finding yourself and finding home. Baum creates a world so colorful the only reason Dorothy yearns to return to the gray Kansas is that “there’s no place like home.”