I feel like I grew up with the movie The Wizard of Oz. I’m sure I’m not the only one who had dreams of being Dorothy herself, experiencing both the sadness and the wins as she followed the Yellow Brick Road. Naturally, I love the Easter Egg references to the story by L. Frank Baum. They were seamlessly woven into the narrative, making me want to watch the movie again soon.

As a child, I was captivated by musicals, so I have fond memories of the movie. However, this story takes a different turn. It focuses on Emily Gale’s experiences. Emily and her sister Annie moved to America and settled in Chicago, working as shop girls. Their bond seemed unbreakable, but at some point, their lives took different directions. Annie married and had a little girl named Dorothy. Just before that, Emily’s undying love for Henry was about to pull her away from Annie’s orbit. Emily had always been enamored with her mother’s dream to settle in Kansas, believing it promised a better life. That’s where she and Henry did indeed settle.

The story begins with Emily’s life changing before marriage and before Kansas. It then segues to the challenging life she faced with Henry in Kansas. This touching story touches upon some tragic times in American history, including the Great Depression, preceded by the stock market crash. The Midwest was plagued by devastating dust storms and other hardships, causing immense loss for countless people. These experiences deeply affected Emily and Henry during their marriage, during which they became guardians to young Dorothy.

Auntie Em, a character who was overlooked by me every time I watched the famous movie, was a delight to watch. The author’s skill in developing her into a three-dimensional character and maintaining her strong bond with Henry was truly remarkable. I was also captivated by the incredible connection she ultimately formed with Dorothy.

The author’s talent for crafting characters that resonate with readers is evident throughout the book. She skillfully evokes the profound sadness experienced by people during that tumultuous era. Conversely, the true connection that family meant to Emily was a joy to experience. Dorothy's words from the movie that “there’s no place like home” rang loud and clear while experiencing Emily’s life Before Dorothy.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley and the author for the arc!

Being a huge fan of all things Oz, this was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025! And guys, I’m throwing ALL the glittering stars at this little gem! It is perfection!

Hazel Gaynor pulls the story of Auntie Em & Uncle Henry from the black & white shadows of their supporting role & transports them to center stage, vividly ushering them into our technicolor world in a way that brings them to life & beauty! To read what their story may have been like before Dorothy & beyond was a magical experience! A journey I never expected to take, but so happy for!

I especially found myself downright giddy with all the little easter egg references to the beloved classic. From lemon drops, apples & poppies to our favorite loveable (and not so loveable) characters, each hidden treasure made this so much fun. The story is so well written from the heartwarming to the heartbreaking & everything in between, it captured & squeezed my heart in all the right places! A new forever favorite!

I've watched the Wizard of Oz but never read the story. This book encouraged me to do so. Did you ever wonder what Dorothy's life was like before she was swept away in her dream. Learn where she was, and where some of her friends originated from. It was a quick, interesting, lighthearted read.

I was so curious about this book, and it did not disappoint! Such an engaging and immersive imagining of Auntie Em's backstory and how she made room for Dorothy.

Emily Kelly leaves Chicago to move to a farm in Kansas after marrying Henry Gale. Years later, her sister and brother-in-law are killed, leaving behind their young daughter, Dorothy, whom Emily and Henry take in. Their life is tough, facing challenges like tornadoes, dust storms, and the Great Depression.

The world-building is fantastic. The setting is vividly depicted, and I felt like I could see the wheat fields of the Gale farm and experience the storms and dust clouds rolling in. Additionally, there is a good amount of historical detail that immersed me in the time and place.

This story is primarily character-driven, with well-developed and compelling characters. I enjoyed the relationship between Emily and Henry, from their courtship to the way they supported each other through hardships, including their efforts to care for Dorothy. I really grew to care about Emily, as she is such a lovely character. Strong, selfless, and loving, and easy to root for. Although she has reservations about bringing Dorothy into a harsh landscape, especially when money is tight, her love for her niece gives her courage and determination. Dorothy, in turn, brings hope and love into their lives. It is moving to see Emily and Dorothy's relationship blossom. Additionally, there is a touch of drama as family secrets are revealed.

This was my first time reading this author, and it will not be my last. I really enjoyed this story and the author's writing style. Wizard of Oz Easter eggs are scattered throughout and are so much fun. Fans of retellings and historical fiction will want to add this to their tbr!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the gifted ARC

*4.5 rounded up

Insightful, inspiring, and atmospheric!

Before Dorothy is an enchanting tale that sweeps you away to Chicago and Kansas during the 1920s – 1930s when the country is reeling from the great depression, the farmers are struggling to maintain their livelihoods, identities, and health through the relentless heat, devastating wind storms, and catastrophic droughts, and the childless Emily Gale suddenly becomes the guardian of her eight-year-old niece Dorothy.

The prose is evocative and smooth. The characters are strong, resilient, and hardworking. And the plot is a captivating, emotional tale filled with life, loss, self-discovery, motherhood, familial drama, poverty, tragedy, heartbreak, community, courage, romance, friendship, and survival.

Overall, Before Dorothy is a creative, touching, heartwarming tale by Gaynor inspired by L. Frank Baum’s classic The Wizard of OZ that does a beautiful job of blending historical events with compelling, imaginative fiction.

This is the imagined story of Emily Gale nee Kelly before her niece, Dorothy enters her life. This novel is a spellbinding and emotionally rich reimagining of the world before The Wizard of Oz. Gaynor masterfully blends historical fiction with classic fantasy, offering readers a fresh perspective on the woman behind the tornado-tossed tale. With lyrical prose, vivid settings, and characters full of heart, this novel explores identity, family, and the unbreakable threads of destiny. Fans of Oz will be enchanted, while newcomers will find themselves drawn into a beautifully crafted origin story filled with wonder and wisdom.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this digital e-arc.*

“You know, I think the idea of magic is sometimes more important than the magic itself.” ✨✨

Long before Dorothy visits Oz, her aunt, Emily Gale, sets off on her own unforgettable adventure...Bursting with courage and heart, BEFORE DOROTHY tells the story of Emily Gale, the woman who raised a beloved heroine, and ponders the question: what is the true meaning of home?

“Home is, quite simply, wherever there is love.”

I will date myself here and say that I remember when The Wizard Of Oz played on tv ONCE a year. On that special night my mother popped popcorn and actually let us stay up late to watch the whole thing. 🍿 🎥 I have such fond memories of that movie and because of that I downloaded the ARC for Before Dorothy with lightening speed!

This book is so nostalgic but is also a history lesson on the great American dust bowl and the Great Depression. It was wonderful and fascinating to revisit the story before Dorothy.

I love Love LOVED the audiobook. It is narrated so well and brought me right back to the original movie with the tin man and ToTo. Ahhh I just adored it!

Thank you @PRHAudio for the complimentary audiobook and to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for the complimentary ARC!

I have read several of Hazel Gaynor’s books over the years. In fact, one of my very first “big ARCs” was her book Meet Me in Monaco in 2019. Her newest book is hands down my favorite, though. And while it may seem that Before Dorothy is just trying to hop on the coattails of the Wicked obsession, that is not the case. You see, this is the story of Auntie Em.

I love that someone finally took the time to focus on Aunt Em in their Oz retelling. Hazel Gaynor has treated her character beautifully and respectfully. She has shown the weight of being a woman, trying to do it all and care for everyone, including herself.

And yes, the book is filled with nods to the original story we all know and love. The way they are woven into Gaynor’s retelling is creative and organic within the story flow. Coming across one of those bits was fun each time.

The Wizard of Oz has been a tradition in our family for many years, and I was intrigued by the chance to read an author's thoughts on Auntie Em. While this is all fiction, how did Dorothy come to live with Em and Henry? What shaped Dorothy's life before the tornado that took her to Oz? This book gives us one perspective on the events prior to that fateful storm. 

In the original Wizard of Oz, we really don't see much of Auntie Em. She is portrayed as a hard woman with no color. Was it her life on the prairie? Or was it something else? This interpretation brings life to this character, and perhaps what she was like before she was created for this popular book. 

Emily is an inspirational character. Despite everything she endures, she still comes out ahead, caring for her family and her town. While she may not feel like she fits in, she is accepted more than she knows. Even taking in her niece is a sacrifice, but a blessing in the end. 

Many strong characters reminded me of the characters in The Wizard of Oz. You will see them, too, if you read this book. Did Dorothy really travel to Oz, or was it all a dream? 

Home is where your family is, which they all learn by the end of the novel. 

I thought the time setting was an interesting choice, but a good one because it does tie in to the poverty, weather conditions, and the community. I learned a few new facts and enjoyed the author's notes at the end of the book. 

We give this book 5 paws up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for an advanced reader copy of Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor. All opinions are my own. This was one of my most anticipated books of the summer. A combination of historical fiction and a new backstory for Auntie Em, I think I loved it before I even started it!

I quickly became engrossed in this imaginative story of Auntie Em, told during the 1920s to 1930s, before Dorothy visits Oz. Set against the backdrop of the financial crisis of the Great Depression and the devastating dust storms of the Dust Bowl era, the family drama follows Emily from her young single days living in Chicago with her beloved sister, Annie, to her move to Kansas with her new husband, Henry. Emily’s struggle to find a place in her new life and heart for young Dorothy while hiding personal and family secrets felt realistic.

I enjoyed getting a better understanding of Auntie Em as well as Dorothy’s childhood, and especially all of the nods to The Wizard of Oz. Highlights for me were a grouchy neighbor (or “witch”) in Kansas named Wilhelmina West, a traveling showman (or “wizard”) who claims to be a prairie rainmaker, and the introduction of Toto. Fans of classic retellings and historical fiction should check out this entertaining and informative novel (available 6/17). 4/5⭐️

I’ve never been a particular fan of The Wizard of Oz and the winged monkeys in the movie scared me as a kid which also didn’t make me a fan.
But I have enjoyed the books that stemmed from Baum’s books in recent years.
I never gave any thought to Auntie Em’s background until Gaynor’s book.
I loved how she wove the movie’s best known parts into her stories, sometimes overt, others covertly for readers to find.
The Dust Bowl has been written about countless times but Gaynor does it with much finesse and candor with hope and magic mixed in.
Oz fans will inhale this book in the best way!

Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor
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We all know who Dorothy is and about her trip to Oz. But what about Auntie Em? What experiences shaped her into the woman she is? What brought her to Kansas? And what was Dorothy’s mother like?
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Before Dorothy is a historical fiction surrounding Emily and her sister Annie as they start out as young woman. They soon meet the Gale men: rich and successful John and his cousin, Henry.

I really liked what the author did with this story. It was an emotional journey following Emily as she chased her dreams of love and freedom and adventure. I loved how the story focused on Emily and how even though she wasn’t Dorothy’s mother she still was able to pass on memories from her own parents and homeland of Ireland.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This wasn’t a retelling but a story behind the story and I loved all the little easter eggs to The Wizard of Oz that were in here.

A little underwhelming. First 25% of the book was promising, the rest seemed more like a redundant history lesson (which is not necessarily a bad thing, I was just expecting more about Auntie Em as a person). While the story is told from Emily’s point of view, it seemed like she took a backseat to the other characters and circumstances.

3.5 stars rounded up


Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read this book!

Last year, I read and enjoyed a book called After Oz, which was about Dorothy's return to Kansas after her trip to Oz. When I saw that this was about Auntie Em's adventure from Chicago to Kansas, long before Dorothy arrives on the scene and after, I had to have it. I also loved Hazel Gaynor's 2023 release, The Last Lifeboat, so it was a no-brainer for me to request this, and am I ever glad I did.

This was such an enchanting story that details the real-life inspiration behind Baum's Oz series. The author weaves historical details and a plot that brings to life the depression era struggles that led to the iconic books. The characters are complex, multi-faceted, and vividly portrayed, and I was completely invested in their story. Gaynor writes historical fiction wonderfully, and she paints a vivid portrait of depression era America and the people who inspired the books. The historical accuracy with which she writes and the emotional depth shine through.

This book is the perfect mix of historical detail and emotion, with well-developed characters. This one left me with a new appreciation for The Wizard of Oz; it is truly a gem of a read. I highly recommend this to any reader who loves historical fiction and/or Oz. I think it's time I add Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts to my TBR. Maybe I'll hit the trifecta on Wizard of Oz historical books.

As a 35 yr fan of The movie, The Wizard of Oz, I was so excited for this book and it didn't disappoint me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved this book so much, I didn't want it to end.

4.5⭐️ As a lover of The Wizard of Oz movie, the synopsis of this book intrigued me immediately. This classic story plus historical fiction? Sign me up!

The writing alone had me captivated. The rich descriptions of the vast Kansas prairie, both its beauty and its darker sides, had me transported to this time. I haven’t read much historical fiction from this time period, so I liked getting that background and learning about it through these characters. This book explores who Emily (Auntie Em) was before the events of the movie: who she was as a young woman, how she came to Kansas, and how Dorothy came to live with her.

The amount of Easter Eggs for The Wizard of Oz throughout this book was so much fun. I absolutely loved all the references, and the many ways Gaynor incorporated them within a different, realistic kind of story was great. That said, people who aren’t that familiar with The Wizard of Oz would still enjoy the story, and wouldn’t miss anything by not knowing the references.

This ended up being so much more than I was expecting, and I loved where it took the classic story.

I requested this book in digital format so I could better moderate a discussion for BookBrowse.com, so I didn't write a full review of the novel.

I'm kind of on the fence about it, actually. I thought it was OK - I enjoyed it for the most part. But there's something about it I felt was lacking. In part I never really felt like I got to know the real Em (let alone any of the other characters). I think the other issue was that I'd just read The Antidote a few weeks ago - novel was also about the Dust Bowl = which I felt gave a much better feel for the times and what it was like to live during such a terrible natural disaster. And I also really disliked the little additions that the author inserted regarding The Wizard of Oz. I thought that they were unnecessary and distracting. I'm rounding up to a four, but it was really more like a 3.5 for me.

I’m always up for a backstory on minor characters from beloved stories, and this one was so good! Having grown up watching The Wizard of Oz and having seen Wicked several times—a story about Auntie Em was a perfect addiction to the world of Oz.

This book follows Emily, who having lived in Chicago with her sister Annie, dreams of a life on the prairie in Kansas. She meets and marries Henry, who shares her dream, and they leave the city behind. A horrible tragedy befalls Annie and her husband and Emily brings her niece Dorothy home to Kansas. Their life in Kansas becomes far from dreamy as they endure life during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl in the 1930s and Emily navigates their new life as a family of three while also keeping secrets from Annie’s past.

I have only read one other book by Hazel Gaynor, which I loved, so I was excited to pick this one up. She does a beautiful job putting us right into the story and really feeling for her characters. The way she wove all the call backs to The Wizard of Oz was so delightful and so well done. I love how she created a world in which you totally believe Dorothy would have imagined Oz from this world around her.

I loved that the overall theme is learning what home really means and being with those you love! A perfect tie back to the famous line “There’s no place like home!”

Recommended for all Oz/Wicked fans, origin story, and historical fiction readers!

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an early copy of this ebook*

Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor, when the book starts it’s 1932 and Emily Gail is going back to Chicago to get Dorothy because her beloved sister Annie died in a boating accident with her husband John. while doing the things she has to do to bring Dorothy to Kansas to live with her and Henry she thinks back on her journey with her family and sister Annie. this is where I thought the author did a great job laying the foundation for the bond she had and has with her family. There’s also a shock and twist in this part of the book that I did not see coming but yet it seemed apropos to the story. and the rest of the book we get to see auntie M and uncle Henry as they build something they hope will be the rest of their life in Kansas and as they navigate being farmers every now and then we get to see things in the 1930s come to visit the Gail’s on the Homestead. The book ends where it started with family and let me just say I really was shocked at the ending but it totally fit with the story Miss Gaynor told. I also thought she did a brilliant job putting in the things that would one day live in Oz with Dorothy and I love when she says without the wicked we couldn’t have had the wonderful. There were so many great quotes from the author of Wizard of Oz something I absolutely love. I could read anything about the Wizard of Oz and although I don’t always enjoy it or rather I enjoy others more than as for this book I absolutely loved it! from the red and silver shoes to the lion the tin man scarecrow and on and on I thought she brilliantly laid each Easter egg and it seemed to fit an all tie in with Dorothy‘s bigger adventure. I also want to say I thought Annie came off as quite selfish and maybe there was something I wasn’t picking up that the author was putting down but I almost didn’t like her. There are a couple of small twist and or scandals in the book we even get to see where the wicked witch comes from and I loved it all. #NetGalley, #BerkeleyPublishing, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #HazelGaynor, #BeforeDorothy,

This is clearly my favorite book of the year so far, which not only includes NetGalley books but also others that I read. It is one of the few where I am contemplating buying a hard copy, I loved it that much. This is also the first book written by Ms. Gaynor alone that I have read; I have read ones she has cowritten with Heather Webb.
I am sure I will find a flaw in it somewhere but looking back on what I read, nothing comes to mind.
It helps to love The Wizard of Oz. This is a story about Aunt Emily before her niece Dorothy comes into her life until after she goes to Kansas after her mother died. We did not really know much about Aunt Em and Uncle Henry in the movie but I did like them. It is impossible not to love them after reading this book. This novel incorporated elements of the story from the movie but added things that made sense. I admire the author's skill at weaving these things together. I was waiting to read this, trying to get through other things on my queue but read it at a time that I was (am) ill and needed a lift.
If you are looking for an involving story that is not happy go lucky but is heartwarming all the same, this is the book for you. And if you love The Wizard of Oz, you really cannot go wrong.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley for providing me with an advanced copy of this wonderful novel in exchange for my honest opinion.