I just finished Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor, and I have to say, I didn’t expect to be this emotionally invested in the origin story of a character from The Wizard of Oz, but wow, it really got me.

This book takes you way back, imagining the life of Maud Baum, the wife of L. Frank Baum, the man who created Oz. I honestly had no idea how fascinating her story was. Maud is smart, stubborn, and constantly pushing against the limits placed on women at the time, which made her super relatable even though the setting is over a century ago.

What I really loved was how the book blended history and fiction so naturally. I felt like I was learning something while also getting completely wrapped up in the story. Hazel Gaynor really brought Maud to life. You can feel all the love, frustration, and passion she had, especially her desire to protect imagination and believe in something bigger than what was right in front of her.

It’s not one of those fast-paced, twist-every-two-pages books, but I was totally pulled in. It made me look at The Wizard of Oz in a completely new way. It's not just about Dorothy or flying monkeys. It's about the people who imagined a world like that in the first place, even when everything around them said not to.

If you’re into historical fiction with strong, thoughtful characters and a quiet kind of magic, Before Dorothy is definitely worth reading. It’s heartfelt, beautifully written, and honestly kind of inspiring.

I never gave a lot of thought to Auntie Em and Uncle Henry in all the years I watched and loved The Wizard of Oz. In Before Dorothy, we learn all about her backstory - where she was born, how she met Uncle Henry, how they ended up in Kansas, and how Dorothy came to live with them.

While it was fun to see Gaynor’s exploration into those parts of the story, there is also so much here about the hardships of farm and prairie life, the Dust Bowl, the stock market crash, and subsequently, the Great Depression of the 1930s. I loved Auntie Em’s strength and resilience through all the hardships - mentally and physically. We also see her vulnerability as she struggles with her feelings towards motherhood. Her character is fully fleshed out and it added such an interesting and creative new lens to the beloved franchise so many of us know and love.

While I do feel like the middle part dragged a little bit, the Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the story were fun that there was no way I was gonna skim or skip any of it!

I don’t know if this one is for everyone, but if you enjoy historical fiction and/or The Wizard of Oz…you will have so much fun with this one!

I absolutely loved this book. Though the prairies of Kansas are not a setting that would typically draw me, in this book it felt so special and vivid. The references to the Wizard of Oz are perfectly sprinkled in without being too “on the nose,” and the characters we get to explore more in depth feel so genuine.

I enjoyed reading Auntie Em's origin story. The book starts with Emily picking up Dorothy in Chicago after her parents were tragically killed. She has no idea how to be a mother and has not spent a lot of time with Dorothy to know what kind of child she is. We flashback to Emily and her sister Annie and how their lives turned out. Annie staying in Chicago and Emily falling in love with Henry and moving to Kansas. Kansas in the 1930s was not the place to be. This book is about the Dust Bowl and how hard it was to survive in Kansas at that time. Was it wrong for Emily to bring Dorothy there? I really know nothing about the Dust Bowl so I had to look up images online. It was an awful time and no help came. Tornados of dirt just buried everything in its path. Crazy! I loved all of the nods to The Wizard of Oz of course. The author did such a great job incorporating The Wizard of Oz with this book.

-That was her responsibility now: to restore a sense of wonder to Dorothy's shattered world.

-Like the weeds that grew in her vegetable garden, secrets thrived if ignored, wrapping themselves around everything within reach.

-Sometimes ignorance is kinder than the truth.

-...hated that she had to learn the tough lesson that sometimes what you believe to be true is just an illusion.

-"I always thought marriage had to be perfect, but it seems to me you're still figuring it out. But you do it together, as a team. I miss that-the partnership, the fun. Someone to share the highs and lows with along the way."

I love it when a book takes me by complete surprise. Blowing me over with its powerful writing, as the characters suck me into their lives. I am not a huge fan of retellings, but I will recommend this book to everyone I pass by. It starts off with little clues here and there, the red shoes, the gifted lion, the little tin man their father made, the witch. I was so enthralled with the story that I was taken aback when I did not take note of something from the Wizard of Oz. The sack dress that was printed with designs woman would enjoy, including blue gingham. As the story weaves between the few strands of wheat left standing. This story is about hope, perseverance, the power of love, home, and ultimately family.

The Great Plains was always a dream for the family that left Ireland full of the American Dream. A pamphlet that their mother kept tucked in amongst her things. Their three daughters beginning their lives in Ireland and the family of five only making it as far west as Chicago. Nell the oldest married and moved out west. Annie fell in love with a circus acrobat. When he left for the war, her dreams slowly leaking out of the hourglass she kept by her bed. Finally marrying a man of means. Emily the youngest met a man that kept her on her toes, who felt like home and would follow him anywhere. Their dream becomes reality when they move to Liberal, Kansas. Their home and farm showing signs of success. Until the dreaded black clouds and tornados ripped whatever hope they had from beneath their feet. No rain for years of end. Just the constant winds of dirt. The air sparking with static electricity. When Emily receives news that her beloved sister is gone, and she and Henry are her daughters' guardians. How can she bring a young child here? Where there is a threat of endless black clouds of dirt, nothing growing, and the money is gone. Yet Dorothy brings something only a child can, her imagination.

This book is an emotional ride. It made me think of the Dust Bowl in a unique way. The amount of research oozes from beneath the pages. I will always be reminded of this book when I cut an apple and see the blossom within. There really is no place like home. Thank you to Hazel Gaynor and Berkley Publishing for this phenomenal read!

If you grew up with the Wizard of Oz and loved it - this is a terrific book to continue your visit with the most wonderful characters!

While few can really contend with the original - this book broadens and deepens the most important character in the book - Dorothy, Auntie Em and Henry. I couldn't wait for but dreaded the ending - because I could no longer visit my favorite characters!

Thank you for allowing me to escape to Oz one more time!

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

If you love The Wizard of Oz you will love Before Dorothy. You are learning the story of Emily and how Dorothy comes to live with her and Henry. Hazel Gaynor brings in some history as well as what we know already about Dorothy and Kansas beautifully.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hazel Gaynor transforms a character we barely glimpse in "The Wizard of Oz" into a fully realized woman in "Before Dorothy," a poignant historical novel that breathes life into Auntie Em's backstory with remarkable depth and authenticity. The Emily Gale we meet here—first in 1924 Chicago, then in 1930s Kansas—emerges as a woman shaped by sisterhood, loss, and the harsh beauty of prairie existence.

What makes this reimagining so captivating is how Gaynor weaves Emily's complex relationship with her sister Annie through the narrative—their once-inseparable bond slowly fracturing until circumstance delivers Annie's orphaned daughter to Emily's doorstep. Emily's reluctance to mother Dorothy stems not from coldness but from profound grief and self-doubt, creating an emotional complexity that transforms a fairy tale secondary character into someone achingly human.

The Kansas prairie itself becomes a character, rendered in sensory detail so vivid you'll feel the grit of dust storms against your skin and hear the ominous approach of tornadoes. Gaynor masterfully integrates historical elements—the devastation of the Dust Bowl, the economic stranglehold of the Depression—without ever letting them overshadow the intimate human drama at the story's heart.

Emily and Dorothy's gradual connection unfolds with tender restraint, avoiding sentimentality while still delivering emotional impact. The novel's somber tone never dips into despair, instead offering a meditation on resilience and redefinition.

Saskia Maarleveld's audiobook narration brings distinctive voices to each sister, her performance enhancing the emotional resonance of Emily's journey. Her pacing makes even the quietest moments feel urgent and compelling.

"Before Dorothy" ultimately asks us to reconsider what makes a home—is it a place, a person, or perhaps something we carry within ourselves? The answer, like this novel, is both simple and profound.

Special thanks to Penguin Random House Audio and Berkley for providing the free book and audiobook for review, though all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

DNF at 38%. I like the *concept* of this book, exploring Aunt Em’s life prior to Dorothy’s trip to Oz. But in execution, it’s rather boring. The first part is the most interesting, I could feel part two becoming mundane.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Before Dorothy. If you are a Dan if the Wizard of Oz and Wicked then you will probably enjoy the story if Auntie Em ( Emily) before Dorothy came to live with her and Henry. I loved reading about the backstory of Emily and Annie (Dorothy’s mother). We learn what happened to Dorothy’s parents and why she came to live with Emily and Henry. Some chapters were slow and boring, and others parts were exciting and sad. There was lots of little Easter eggs from the Wizard of Oz. Overall I gave it 3 stars.

Hazel Gaynor did a wonderful job of incorporating her own story and The Wizard of Oz. This story of Auntie ‘Em and Uncle Henry is filled with hardships, but also filled with love. Once Dorothy arrives, everything that ‘Em knew is put to the test. This story about love, sacrifices, and finding home is wonderfully written. Seeing a different world before the famous story was such a treat. Loved this story of resilience.

A deeply moving, beautifully imagined story of resilience, sacrifice, and the quiet heroism of the woman behind an icon.

Before Dorothy is a stunning historical novel that reimagines the life of Emily, the woman who would raise Dorothy of Oz fame—not in fantasy, but in the harsh, dusty realism of 1930s Kansas. This book swept me into two timelines: the hopeful early days of prairie life and the heartache that followed.

The writing is atmospheric and tender, capturing not just the physical grit of the Dust Bowl but the emotional weight of loss, loyalty, and motherhood. Emily’s love for her niece Dorothy is fierce and selfless, even as grief and hardship threaten to undo her. I was particularly moved by the bond between sisters and how the past haunts the present in subtle, powerful ways.

This is not a fairy tale—but it’s a love letter to the women who hold stories together in the shadows, even as the storms close in.

For fans of Kristin Hannah, The Four Winds, and character-driven historical fiction that makes you feel everything.

Before Dorothy gives us hints of how characters like the Tin Man or the Scarecrow may have been born out of real emotions and people, grounding the mythology of Oz in the very real experiences of love, grief, and hope.
This story is more than a companion to a beloved classic it so much more and give us a look behind the characters and where they were born from after reading this. Things from the Wizard of Oz will make so much sense after you read this .If you love The Wizard of Oz as a kid like I did I recommend picking this book up.

Thank you. Netgalley

The Wizard of Oz is a classic story that is loved by all. In this classic novel it will retell the setting in a historical and realistic manner. The primary focus of the novel will focus on someone very dear to Dorothy her auntie Em.
The novel starts out with Emily traveling to Chicago after the death of her sister to take custody of her niece Dorothy. Along the way we are then drawn back to the past of Emily and Annie living their teenage dreams. We meet Uncle Henry a banker who has dreams of being a farmer. Eventually that dream does come true but life in Kansas is very difficult with the great depression and the dust storms. Even when Dorothy does come to live with them things still aren't very promising.
Overall this was a very enjoyable novel. We are given a backstory on how Toto came into Dorothy's possession. There is an intriguing amount of family secrets. While there is no real magic in the story Dorothy still has silver slippers. Overall this is a wonderful novel for anyone to enjoy.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own

One of those classic movies that I always end up watching if I see it on tv, is that of the Wizard of Oz. Something about the movie that takes me right back to childhood...to cottage evenings..and the start of the fantasy genre that I pick up whenever Im craving an escape. So when one of my favourite HF authors put out her new blurb that she was going to write a fictionalized account of Auntie Em & Uncle Henry's story, I knew I would be bugging the publishers for it.

The story begins long before Dorothy visits Oz and gives voice to the Auntie Em she so dearly loves. The question is, how did Dorothy end up with her aunt, how did Emily end up in Kansas and how did the love story between Henry and Emily began.
Beginning in 1924 and going up to "Oz" , we follow Emily and her story of family and love. It begins in Chicago but the promise of the American dream on the plains of Kansas lures them there. Despite having to leave her beloved sister Annie (Dot's mom) and the new arrival of little Dorothy.

What happens over the next 368 pages is grief, financial ruin, hardships on the farm and the undying commitment between two dreamers on a farm. The "how" is the adventure that Ms. Em needs to go through in finding motherhood and the home she dreams of.

This story may have been dreamt up by an author with the love of the MGM classic but it felt like it rang true to the heart of each character. If you love the movie or the WICKED series, I think you'll enjoy it a lot.

Thank you to the publisher in return for an honest review!

HIGHLY recommend

I loved this book! I also adored The Wizard of Oz book and movie! Hazel does a brilliant job creating a sequel that is true to all of the originals. Perfect!

The writing is beautiful, as is the storyline and character development. It answers many questions we all speculated about when reading and/or watching the movie! Plus, "Easter eggs" are sprinkled throughout the book to tie in memories of the books and movie!

Such a lovely book that I needed! Now to watch the movie AGAIN!!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6967179786 - posted 5/18/2025
The StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/f6a9a63d-e25c-438e-a4cd-4727c8e4ed7d?redirect=true - posted 5/18/2025
booksbydorothea Blog: https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2025/05/review-before-dorothy.html - posted 5/18/2025

When we think of the Wizard of Oz we of course think of Dorothy Gale and her little dog Toto. By the end of the movie we realize it was all a dream and she is back on the Kansas farm with her Auntie Em and Uncle Henry.

Before Dorothy is the story of Auntie Em (Emily Kelly), and the young/young woman girl she was before Dorothy came to live with her. Before Dust Bowl Kansas and life's hardships and disappointments took their toll on her.

In some ways this is a retelling of the Baum story, and there are events and people that will feel familiar. But this is also the story of a young Irish immigrant who moves to Kansas to be with the love of her life. Sure, Dorothy is in this story, but this isn't Dorothy's story.

I really enjoyed so much about this book although I have to admit the ending with Leonardo felt a little forced to me. But that's a minor issue. I also don't love the title of the book, but again a minor quibble.

I also particularly liked the relationships of the different women in this book. On the whole a good read.

The Kansan prairie might as well be a character in this one. Beautiful as it sounds in the brochures Emily has clung to for years, it also can be devastatingly destructive. The sense of the Dust Bowl hovers over the entire story, destroying dreams but, yes, bringing us home, too. I'm surely not the only child who once innocently watched the Oz movie and never once pondered why Dorothy lived with her aunt and uncle. Ah, the innocence of youth. Life can be harsh. In any case, I spent a good deal of time wishing I could somehow reach through the pages and give Emily Gale, the Auntie Em of the beloved tale, a hug.

The author's skill put me there. I felt the wonder of the beauty of the prairie as envisioned by the hopeful young Emily while, yes, recalled the history of what happened to the overworked, over plowed soil and area. The Dust Bowl and hovering sense of doom that the talk of tornadoes creates seemed real, maybe because we've seen all too often of late how the power of nature can destroy. Even worse, how disaster can suck the life out of a person, hence my sense of foreboding for the Emily that we come to know so well as we read. I'm so glad the author caught that brief mention in the original work about Auntie Em being bright-eyed and beautiful once and how that changed. This is Auntie Em's story. You'll get to know Emily and husband Henry Gale well, their neighbors, too, and, I'm willing to bet, come to like and care for them. Dorothy, of course, and Toto, are part of the story but the focus is Auntie Em. Heck, I bet you may even have some sympathy for the "witch" of the story by the end of the book.

Needless to say, I savored this book. I must admit that I dragged it out, only allowing myself to read small sections at a time in order to make it last. I didn't want to leave this magical but deadly place. I admired their determination to make a home there despite frightening and seemingly never-ending set-backs. The characters, and I wound up liking them all, warts and all, seemed real, like something out of a photograph of the Dust Bowl era. I could spend time listing the various "Easter Eggs", ie references to the movie or book, but will leave that delight for the readers to encounter on their own. Needless to say, we learn the backstories of many, including the now iconic trio of the Lion, Tin-Man, and Scare Crow, not to mention a hint of what may have shaped the "Wicked Witch of the West". In addition, make sure you read the historical notes at the end where you'll learn some history and the logic of some of the parts of this tale. Like, oh, where the gingham dress material often came from that we so associate with the movie Dorothy. My sincere thanks to #BerkleyPublishingGroup for reminding me that "There's no place like home" for that is where love and community exist.

Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor was a combination of experiences.

On the one hand, it was fun to read the book and find Wizard of Oz "Easter eggs" sprinkled throughout. I'm not even a "wiz" at Wizard of Oz so true Oz fans would find it even more fun, no doubt!

On the other hand, this story had a lot of historical background of the Kansas area of the Midwest, the Plains, the farming of the plains and how industrial technology wreaked havoc on the fields, the horrible dust storms etc. I didn't know much about that going in and it was very compelling and heartbreaking too.

I enjoyed having both experiences as I read along- they complemented each other.

I very much enjoyed reading Before Dorothy and I recommend it to you. A solid 4 to 4.5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC of Before Dorothy in exchange for an honest review.

Before Dorothy is due to be published on or around June 17th, 2025.

Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor is an absolutely captivating read that beautifully intertwines themes of family, hardship, and hope. I’d give it 4.5 stars without hesitation. The story follows a young girl named Dorothy, who grows up in a small, oppressive town during the early 20th century. Her life is filled with struggles—losing her mother at a young age, facing poverty, and dealing with a strained relationship with her father. What struck me most was how the author delves deep into Dorothy's inner world, capturing her resilience and longing for a better life. The narrative slowly reveals secrets about her family's past, especially around her mother's mysterious disappearance, which adds layers of mystery and emotional depth. The vivid descriptions of the town, the hardships she endures, and her dreams of escape felt so real and immersive. Throughout her journey, Dorothy encounters kind strangers and faces tough choices that shape who she becomes. The story ultimately explores how difficult circumstances can forge strength and courage in someone so young. It’s a powerful, heartfelt story about perseverance and the unbreakable spirit of those fighting against odds. If you appreciate stories that evoke emotion and offer a glimpse into a challenging yet hopeful childhood, Before Dorothy is a must-read. Truly a moving experience—4.5 stars from me!