Finding Dorothy is a historical novel about Maud Gage Baum, the widow of L. Frank Baum (The Wizard of Oz) and her improbable friendship with a young Judy Garland on the set of the movie. I am a lifelong fan of The Wizard of Oz (the movie, most especially, although I loved the book series as a child) and that attracted me to this novel.

This is a dual-storyline book. To my surprise I found the storyline about Maud Gage Baum particularly compelling. She was the daughter of suffragette Matilda Gage (look her up -- another fascinating woman!) and she walked away from her college studies to marry a charming young actor named Frank Baum. Their story winds slowly from New York to North Dakota to Chicago to Hollywood ... and the details about Maud's life and Frank's authorship of The Wizard of Oz are just beautifully told.

Judy Garland is the focus of the 1939 storyline. Finding Dorothy details the filming of this iconic movie, from Judy's tremendous talent contrasted with her great sadness and vulnerability. There were many, many interesting tidbits about the set of the movie and the other actors and film personnel involved.

This is my first read of the year and I can't imagine what could top this. It is truly a remarkable book, especially for anyone interested in The Wizard of Oz or children's literature. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

"Perhaps, Maud thought, in order to make a truly great story, you've got to put an entire life into it---all the heartbreak, all the glory." *

When I think of enduring books and films, The Wizard of Oz is one of the first to come to mind!  It's a classic both on the page and screen for people of all ages thanks to the wildly imaginative story.

In Finding Dorothy, author Elizabeth Letts tells the story of author L. Frank Baum's wife Maud, from her unusual childhood surrounded by the leading suffragettes of the time (including her own mother Matilda Gage), her time as one of the first female students at Cornell University, and her personal life as a wife and mother struggling to make ends meet while Frank finds his passion. Along the way we learn the real life inspiration behind the beloved characters readers have come to know and love in Oz.

We also follow the story of Maud in 1939 on the set of The Wizard of Oz where she meets Judy Garland. Maud wants to make sure that the movie will stay true to her late husband's imagination. When Maud hears Judy sing "Over the Rainbow" for the first time, she is certain Judy is meant to play the role of Dorothy.

"Judy and Dorothy. Dorothy and Judy. She now understood that they were one and the same. You couldn't love the character and look past the girl who was pinned into that gingham dress." *

Maud feels real affection for Judy and when she notices the pressure placed on the young girl by her own mother and the studio, she becomes fiercely protective of Judy, as both  the character of Dorothy and the actress on the brink of becoming a Hollywood sensation.

Many books have been written about the life of L. Frank Baum but Letts has given us the story behind his masterpiece:  his life with and enduring love for Maud, told from her point of view.

As a fan of historical fiction, I loved the voice of Maud!  She was level headed and practical but in love with a dreamer.  While their life wasn't always easy, she loved watching Frank pursue his passions and was supportive of his vision.  In Finding Dorothy, Maud finds out that magic may exist after all, albeit in a practical way:

"Magic is when a lot of people all believe in the same thing at the same time, and somehow we all escape ourselves a little bit and we meet up somewhere, and just for a moment, we taste the sublime." *

Fans of The Wizard of Oz and historical fiction written from fresh perspectives will enjoy reading about the lives of Frank and Maud Baum, the real life inspiration for Oz and its characters, and secrets behind the scenes of the making of the film.

Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.  Finding Dorothy is scheduled for release on February 12, 2019.

*Quotes included are from an advance readers copy and are subject to change upon final publication.

Fans of L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," will revel in learning about the fascinating story behind Baum's fantasy. While Baum's book has been used to teach high school students about the Great Depression, the real events that led to Baum's narrative are worthy of attention in their own right. Told through the eyes of Baum's wife Maud Gage, the reader is transported back in time to the Suffragette Movement, where Maud's mother, Mathilda, works alongside Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, raising Maud to defy prescribed notions of womanhood. Matilda has high hopes for Maud to be the first woman in her family to obtain a college diploma, but Maud's strength of character is evident when she defied her mother's expectations and chooses to marry the theater man, L. Frank Baum, instead. The unwavering love that Maud has for Frank carries her through many years of heartache and trials as Frank works to support his family and still be true to his heart. It is these pieces of a lifetime together that finally lead Baum to have a burst of inspired writing, creating his most famous work. The story does not end there. Always filled with wonder and fantasy, Baum foresaw a day when moving pictures would delight audiences in a new way and although Baum did not live to see Oz come to life on the big screen, his impact on the cast and crew are evident. As the the film begins to take shape, Maud works to fulfill her promise of long ago to take care of Dorothy. However, Maud, ever the pragmatist, finds that by fulfilling her promise to Frank, that maybe the magic that seemed to always fill her late husband's head and heart is in fact part of this world.

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, this book!!! One of my top ten favorite reads! Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts is about the life of Maude and Frank Baum. Frank Baum is the author of the Wizard of Oz series of books. The reader is given insight into the story behind the story of The Wizard of Oz. I must have watched the movie at least 20 times and can’t wait to watch it tonight, now that I now what inspired the story! A very refreshing book, very well written, it is going to be hard to find another amazing read like this. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is coming out February 12th. It is a must read!!!

I am usually a skeptic when it comes to historical fiction but I did so want to believe the details of the lives of L. Frank Baum and his wife Maud Gage were, in fact, truly the inspiration for the Wizard of Oz. When Maud’s niece came running towards her shouting Auntie M, Auntie M I had that aha moment “so that’s where that character’s name came from.” It may be fact, or it may be excellent fiction - either way it was one of many fun moments in this delightful, although sometimes extremely harsh, story of the Baum’s lives juxtaposed with the making of the classic Wizard of Oz film.

Finding Dorothy is an absorbing read. I read the entire book in one sitting. Although I've never been a big fan of the Wizard of Oz, the synopsis intrigued me, especially from the lens of Baum's wife. Letts captures the voice of Maud Gage Baum very well. She illustrates how whimsical and fey Frank Baum was and provided insight for the inspirations for the book, which was very interesting to me. I've only viewed the Wizard of Oz from political analogies, so it was eye opening. I had also never heard of Matilda Gage. I read the author's note with great interest and it helps polish the historical aspect nicely. A great book is the best find at the end of the rainbow, and this one delivers.

A great book about the making of the wizard of oz as told by the authors wife who even strikes up a friendship with Judy garland a great read i highly recommend

I received an advance digital copy of this book from Netgalley.com and the publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine. Thanks to both for the opportunity to read and review!

Ms. Letts has written a novel that whisks us into two worlds, one real and one imaginary, though the imaginary one is just as real as the other. The making of the film 'The Wizard of Oz' told from the perspective of L. Frank Baum's wife, Maud.

It is Maud's promise to Frank that leads her to the production and she strikes up a friendship with a young Judy Garland, who is on the cusp of stardom and in need of guidance and kindness.

This is a story of love, friendship and magic and is not to be missed.

As soon as I heard of this book coming out I was fascinated. I have been to The Oz Museum in Kansas where I learned a lot of behind the scenes information about the movie and a little bit of insight about the books and author, but I never knew anything about his wife Maud Baum. I loved learning about her effort behind the scenes of the movie as an elderly women to ensure that it was true to her late husband’s vision and her concern and interactions with Judy Garland to try to protect her from the difficult environment she faced. My heart really hurt for Judy.

The time period of the movie filming was interspersed with flashbacks of Maud’s life as the daughter of a famous suffragette, her experiences as one of the earliest female college attendants, and her courtship and marriage with Frank. They certainly didn’t have an easy life, but it was wonderful to see the strength in their relationship and how they were able to endure trials together. I found it especially fascinating to learn about the inspiration for so many of the characters and aspects that Frank wrote into his famous book. A couple things the author took some creative license with, but most was based on fact and the story was very well researched.

I read the book in two days because I was totally fascinated and engrossed. I never felt like the plot lagged and found all the developments and revelations interesting. Maud was an intrepid woman who was ahead of her time, but also full of kindness and warmth. Frank’s struggle to balance his creative yearnings and dreaming personality with his practical duties was relatable and sympathetic.

I would highly recommend this for fans of the Oz books and/or the movie, those interested in early Hollywood history, or anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction full of interesting family dynamics.

I'm a huge Oz fan and am in the process of introducing one of my nieces to it (we just finished book 4). I enjoyed this book tremendously.

Very few books cause me to almost cry and get teary-eyed but Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts did. Letts exquisite writing and beautiful characterization did just that. In one scene, where Letts is describing a young girl living on the Dakota Territory prairie (which later became both North Dakota and South Dakota I almost broke down and cried as my mother's heart truly felt for the suffering of the young girl. Her character, and the scenery was so well-written I could see and feel the desolation and anguish felt by the young female character.

Her book is historic fiction that tells the fictional story of how the book and move called The Wizard of Oz came to be. The book was written by L. Frank Baum who based his book on his experiences of living in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

The main female character, Maud Baum, helps tell the story and she starts her story in Chapter 1 when she drives to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lot to make sure the Wizard of Oz movie stays true to the story written by her husband. Later Maude Baum's story flashes back to an earlier time to tell about earlier incidents which lead to the writing of The Wizard of Oz. Her book is interwoven with both present and past incidents creating a wonderful story that I would describe as a page turner.

Please buy this book as you not be disappointed by Letts book. Her writing and characterization is the best I've read in.a very long time.

Recommend.

Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley.

There are two stories in Finding Dorothy, by Elizabeth Letts. The first story covers about a twenty year span of Maud and L. Frank Baum's lives together - up to the publication of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The second tells of elderly Maud Baum, long since a widow, visiting the movie set of The Wizard of Oz.

"Story one" is interesting and beautifully done. Although it is a work of fiction, the events are grounded in well-researched facts. The love, hope, struggles and resilience of the Baums make a wonderful story, and Letts does a great job in the telling.

"Story two" is an imagined narrative that serves to link Maude Baum to the movie. Many incidents are grounded in research, as the author's notes explain. But the elderly Baum didn't feel like the same person I read about in "story one." Her inability to articulate what she wanted to communicate to Judy Garland or about the Oz storyline was a source of frustration for me.

Despite the weakness of the second storyline, I still enjoyed this book and would recommend it. It got me interested in learning more about Cornell, early forms of birth control, L. Frank Baum's life, Judy Garland, and more. I would consider that a successful story. Well done Elizabeth Letts!

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley.

I received this from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

Maud Gage Baum, widow of the author of the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, met Judy Garland, the young actress playing the role of Dorothy on the set of The Wizard of Oz in 1939. With flash backs to Maud's youth and subsequent marriage to Frank, we discover his inspiration for The Wizard of Oz.

An okay story.
3☆

This book was an absolute joy to read! It is a magical journey into the heart of America's most beloved movie, The Wizard of Oz.
If you have ever seen The Wizard of Oz, read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, or even just heard the song Somewhere Over The Rainbow, then you will love this magical look deeper into its origins, and creator, L. Frank Baum. From a young age, I remember watching The Wizard of Oz every year around Christmas when it played on Network TV. This was long before cable, On Demand, DVR's, streaming services and DVD's. We could go rent the movie on VHS at our local movie rental shop, but The Wizard of Oz was always bypassed by the newest cartoon release like The Little Mermaid, or The Lion King. Plus, I always cherished the time I watched it once a year with my family. It almost made it more magical that way!
Finding Dorothy is a look into the life L. Frank Baum, the creator of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz books, and his wonderful, intelligent, wife Maude. It is rich with details! Finding Dorothy travels back and forth between Maude's youth growing up with her women's-right's pioneer mother Mathilda, and then to 1939 when the movie adaptation of The Wizard of Oz was taking place in Hollywood. We meet the not yet famous Judy Garland, and understand the hurdles Maude has to get over in order to help maintain the authenticity of her husband's life work as it is translated to the big screen.
I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone. It will tick all of your reading "must have boxes." Love, romance, historical-fiction, nostalgia, Old Hollywood glamour, women's suffrage (aka the right to vote), musicals, etc. It is such a fun ride!

Finding Dorothy is a good read by Elizabeth Letts. I enjoyed it and recommend it. I give it four and a half stars.

I am so thankful I was given an opportunity by NetGalley to read this incredible book. Finding Dorothy is well written and I just couldn’t put it down. It will stick with me for a long time. Wizard of Oz has always been a favorite of mine and this book made me feel like a kid again, as I learned about the history of the Baum’s, the story, and the film. A must read!!

I received an ARC copy from netgalley for my honest review, so thank you netgalley and publishers for offering me this book! ♡
This richly imagined novel tells the story behind The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the book that inspired the iconic film, through the eyes of author L. Frank Baum’s intrepid wife, Maud.

“A breathtaking read that will transport you over the rainbow and into the heart of one of America’s most enduring fairy tales.”—Lisa Wingate, author of Before We Were Yours

Hollywood, 1938: As soon as she learns that M-G-M is adapting her late husband’s masterpiece for the screen, seventy-seven-year-old Maud Gage Baum sets about trying to finagle her way onto the set. Nineteen years after Frank’s passing, Maud is the only person who can help the producers stay true to the spirit of the book—because she’s the only one left who knows its secrets.

But the moment she hears Judy Garland rehearsing the first notes of “Over the Rainbow,” Maud recognizes the yearning that defined her own life story, from her youth as a suffragette’s daughter to her coming of age as one of the first women in the Ivy League, from her blossoming romance with Frank to the hardscrabble prairie years that inspired The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Judy reminds Maud of a young girl she cared for and tried to help in South Dakota, a dreamer who never got her happy ending. Now, with the young actress under pressure from the studio as well as her ambitious stage mother, Maud resolves to protect her—the way she tried so hard to protect the real Dorothy.

The author of two New York Times bestselling nonfiction books, The Eighty-Dollar Champion and The Perfect Horse, Elizabeth Letts is a master at discovering and researching a rich historical story and transforming it into a page-turner. Finding Dorothy is the result of Letts’s journey into the amazing lives of Frank and Maud Baum. Written as fiction but based closely on the truth, Elizabeth Letts’s new book tells a story of love, loss, inspiration, and perseverance, set in America’s heartland.
The cover and title is what originally drew me to this book.
This is my first book by this author. It was alltogether an easy read. ♡ I give this book a
4.5 star rating!

Gives another "view" of a iconic movie "Wizard of Oz". Characters are well drawn and the story line captivating.

This is the back story of The Wizard of Oz. Maud Gage Baum was the daughter of a suffragette, Matilda Gage, and as such, she was encouraged to attend Cornell College. Her roommate's brother was L. Frank Baum and as they say, they met and fell in love. In the 1880s, courtship was very rigidly controlled by the parents.
Maud did end up marrying Frank, and spent quite a number of years in very reduced circumstances. It was not until he wrote The Wizard of Oz, that their lives changed. Maud eventually moved to Hollywood and when the book was being turned into a film, she met Judy Garland, who was a troubled adolescent. Maud befriended Judy, and fought with the producers to keep the movie true to the story. Frank Baum did not live long enough to see the huge success of the film So, it is to Maud Gage Baum that we owe the accuracy of the story with the movie.

Although I’ve been a “Wizard of Oz” fan for many years, I had never read very much about Maude Baum. Elizabeth Letts has done a great job of letting Maud tell her own story. Maud is an intelligent, independent, and practical woman who married an imaginative, intelligent, and creative man. As we read Maud’s story, we get insight into the characters and settings of “Oz”. All their experiences had a place in that book,. As interesting as that was, it’s the strong marriage that the Baums shared that shines all throughout this story, even after Frank’s death. Maude considers herself the protector of Dorothy’s story and decides to make herself an advisor on the film. She develops a friendship with Judy Garland during the filming of the movie and feels very much that she’s not only the protector of Frank’s story, but she is also there to protect young Judy/Dorothy from harm during the filming of the movie.

The story goes back and forth in the timeline of Maud’s life between her past and the time she’s on the “Oz” movie set. The author makes this a seamless transition, and it was easy to keep up during both time periods. It was interesting to learn some new details about the filming of the movie, and the author did a great job on her research.

Just a note: This book is not intended for younger readers. Although it’s a clean book with only an instance or two of bad language, there are adult themes in this book as Maud tells her story. This one is for the young adult age group and older.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.