Medieval intrigue and an endearing family capture the heart of Paige Nelson, a teacher and clown, who, after a tumble in her hometown gym, finds herself in a strange world. Going by her clown name, "Poppy", she finds herself a highly honored guest because the people of Halderwold believe her to be a visitor from Laria, a land on the other side of a "flatland swamp" that has been considered impassable for many years. After learning of the punishments for "jocularity" and creating "likenesses", she yearns to find a way to return the people to their former times of lampooning newspapers, beautiful pictures, and open gaiety, all of which have been banned for generations. Possessing none of the intuitive talents of the Larians, but afraid to admit she is from another world, Poppy enters training as a "wise one". Forced to chose between marrying Lorimar(whom she respects but does not love) to be safe from Pule, the king's evil cousin (whom she loathes), kidnapped and nearly murdered, she at last finds others willing to risk all to join in a scheme to change the oppressive laws of the realm.