The Hidden History of Oz is an alternate Oz book series by Tarl Telford that is a prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It takes place before the Wizard arrived in Oz and is seen through the viewpoint of a teenaged Glinda in a way similar to the Wicked series.
After being originally released from 2012-2015, the Glinda trilogy was revised and expanded with new titles given. Both release dates and titles are provided as to not cause confusion.
Premise[]
The series is darker and more mature than most Oz novels but keeps the overall spirit of Baum's work while attempting to explain some of their inconsistences. King Pastoria, for instance is depicted as a last minute replacement for his deceased brother, King Oz. In addition, the series contains a few nods to the 1939 film as the Witches of the East and West, Kaliyana and Ondri-baba respectively are depicted as sisters. Also Ondri-baba's magic eye is said to give off a glow that makes her appear green. The series focuses on the origins of Baum's classic characters from the perspective of a young Glinda as she evolves into the great and wise Witch of the South.
Entries[]
*FPA = First Published As
Glinda Series:
- The Orphan Sorceress of Oz - June 20th, 2017 (FPA The Witch Queens July 11th, 2012)
- Dark Dreams in Oz - September 8th, 2017 (FPA Crown of the Dreamer September 10th, 2013)
- Dark Wind in Oz - September 15th, 2017 (FPA Emerald Spectacles March 6th, 2015)
- The Painted Queen of Oz - December 31, 2020
Hidden Heroes of Oz:
- Chopper - February 21st, 2018
- Guardian Martyr - February 21st, 2018
Candor Bandersnatch
- Candor Bandersnatch and the Secret Gate of Oogaboo - November 12th 2016
Novellas
- Tabby Abacus and the Dangerbread House - May 20th 2015
- First Nail: An Omby-Amby Adventure - December 5th 2015 (e-book)
Companion Books:
- Glinda's Letters to Oz: A Hidden History of Oz Collection - September 14th, 2017
- The Hidden History of Oz: An Introduction to Oz Before Dorothy - February 27th, 2018
Timeline[]
The series features a unique calendar system beginning in 1852 AD which in Oz is 1168 Ozy and considerably 48 BDG which refers to "Before Dorothy Gale". This would be 48 years before 1900 to match with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
On the website, Talford has created very detailed description of events pertaining to Dorothy's first trip to coincide with the real life 1900 Plains tornado outbreak even though it did not affect Kansas.
The details are transcluded here with some edits to summarize:
May 5th - 12pm: Aunt Em washes dishes after midday meal. 12:10pm: Tornado hits home and is lifted into sky with Dorothy and Toto inside. Hours up in the sky with the winds howling. Estimated that Dorothy sleeps through the night.
6th: Dorothy arrives in Oz as her house lands Kalinya, Wicked Witch of the East. She meets with the Munchkins. leaves on Yellow Brick Road, and stays the night at Boq's home.
7th: She meets the Scarecrow and stays the night in a cottage.
8th: She meets the Tin Woodman and Cowardly Lion as they run from Kalidahs.
9th-10th: The raft is built and they travel down the river. Stork saves Scarecrow as the Queen of the Field Mice is rescued. They Encounter Poppy Field andTin Man builds a wheeled cart. The Field Mice find string and assist in pulling the cart with lion out of the poppies. After getting out safely, they spend thd night at a farmhouse.
11th-15th: They arrive at the Emerald City, and over the next four days they meet the Wizard.
16th-18th: They head towards the Witch's Castle, and get attacked by wolves, crows, black bees, and even 12 Winkies (his own addition).
19th: The Winged Monkeys are summoned as they abduct Dorothy and her friends.
20th-June 4th: They are enslaved by Ondri-baba, Wicked Witch of the West. Dorothy melts her and obtains the golden cap as Winkies celebrate freedom.
5th-13th: She finds Scarecrow and Tin Man who gets repaired.
14th-18th: They stay at Yellow Castle for a few days and then leave for Emerald City.
19th-24th: They get lost in flower fields, Dorothy summons Winged Monkeys who take them to see the Wizard who they speak with though he is invisible.
25th-30th: Wizard makes them wait until he responds, he gives her friends their gifts and is revealed. ('Wiki Note: The rest will be added here soon)
Links[]
- Tarl Telford's Website
- The wordpress site for The Hidden History of Oz