The title of this book immediately got my attention as the Wizard of Oz is one of my all time favorite movies. The author reimagines Auntie Em’s life before Dorothy. Her characters come to life as all their thoughts and feelings are flushed out in her writing. The book also has many little references to the original story highlighting the tin man, the lion and others. I love all the little nuances to the original story. History plays an important part of the novel as the author takes us through the stock market crash and the Depression. She writes colorfully about the terrifying weather especially the drought resulting in the horrific dust storm. Her characters come full circle as they realize what home and family truly mean.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced eGalley of the book.
#BeforeDorothy #HazelGaynor #NetGalley

Look for my full review in Library Journal.
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As a fan of the Wizard of Oz and its characters, I enjoyed this historical novel that explores the life of Auntie Em both before and after caring for her niece, Dorothy. Gaynor pays homage to the classic with elegant details in her writing while also exploring the harsh living conditions for Americans in drought ridden Kansas.

The Wizard of Oz is nearing it's 125 year of publication, but the story has never gone out of style. Now with the release of the first Wicked movie, everyone is once again that girl from Kansas. Origin stories are having a moment, and this one which I have never seen entertained, is Aunt Em's story - coming from Ireland with her sisters, her life in Chicago, yearning for the prairie life, and her hand in raising Dorothy. While nods to the original text are plentiful, if not obvious, to me this was a first class historical fiction about the boom and bust of the over-developed prairies in the USA and the dust bowl and the fallout. I enjoy Gaynor's historical fiction and felt that this approach was new and fresh. There are moments where the story is dry, pun intended, but that was also the time period.
I would recommend this to patrons looking for another origin story - but one that stays in reality and not in Oz. 4* rounded up from 3.5
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for this advance reader copy - all opinions expressed are my own.

Before Dorothy is a celebration of strength, survival, and the unbreakable bonds that shape us, an unforgettable tale that will leave you reflecting long after you turn the last page.

Before Dorothy is the imaginative story of Auntie Em and Uncle Henry from The Wizard of Oz before and when their niece Dorothy Gale comes to live with them in Kansas. Not only were the details that shaped the fantastic Oz story sprinkled throughout, Ms. Gaynor did an admirable job of setting the story in its rich historical context -- 1920s Chicago, the Great Depression, the years-long drought and killing dust storms caused by the over-farming of the plains, barnstormers, traveling shows, the migration west.

Heartbreaking at times with its personal tragedies--particularly the loss of Emily's sister, Annie and her tycoon husband, John, in a tragic boating accident, which leaves prairie farmers Emily and Henry as Dorothy's legal guardians--and steeped in the epic man-vs-nature struggle, the book explores the themes of family and home, hope and despair. For me this book was a page turner from the first sentence. It is due to be published in June and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Ms. Gaynor for providing me with an ARC.

The Wizard of Oz has been part of my life in many forms from childhood through adulthood, so I was delighted at the chance to read a story about Auntie Em and how Dorothy came to be with them.

This story stays true to things we know about Dorothy, Auntie Em and Uncle Henry from the Wizard of Oz, with many delightful references to the original, the movie and other works in the Wizard of Oz world such as Wicked. I loved reading little moments about the Lion, Tinman and Scarecrow, the silver slippers, dreams of flying monkeys, and many many more fun Easter eggs throughout the book.

But what really made this story engaging, was the new story of Emily. Where she came from, who she was, her relationship with her sisters and her desire for something more than what city life had to offer. Something she could work for and call her own. Kansas, and Henry.

It felt special to sit with her through heartbreak, and trials. Incorporating historical events like living through the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression made the story feel real in addition to the magic.

This book filled in some holes I didn’t know were even missing. But what never changes is the idea of home. Being with those we love.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.