Who was Auntie Em before Dorothy Gale blew into Kansas? How did she meet Uncle Henry? How did Dorothy wind up with the childless couple? Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor is a charmingly brilliant story of Emily Gale, Dorothy's beloved Auntie Em.
In February 1932, Emily Gale journeys back to Chicago after a tragic accident takes the life of her sister Annie and her husband. Bouying her courage, she lays eyes upon Annie and John's only child, Dorothy, who is now her responsibility. Feeling totally unprepared for motherhood, and knowing the unforgiving prairie is no place for a child, she apprehensively brings Dorothy back to Kansas. Uncle Henry has always wanted children, so he welcomes Dorothy with open arms, but would he be so understanding if he knew the whole story?
As the lack of rain and dust bowls that steal your breath increase, Emily and Henry watch as their dreams shrivel like scorched crops. And when Emily is forced to face her worst fear, she must decide if she will open her heart to Dorothy so that she can heal.
Oh. My. Goodness! Before Dorothy is not what I expected at all, but it is the backstory that lovers of The Wizard of Oz will appreciate. Traveling back and forth between the present day and Emily's years growing up in Chicago with her sisters Annie and Nell, this is the story of the beloved Auntie Em we never doubted loved Dorothy with all her heart. With excerpts of Emily's thoughts from her journals titled "Wonderful--A Life on the Prairie," readers dive deeply into Emily's life in Kansas. A touching epilogue told from Dorothy's point of view makes this one of the most moving novels about fictional movie characters you will ever read.
Gaynor has an extraordinary gift for painting vivid images in the minds of her readers, and as she is also a fan of The Wizard of Oz, you will find little hints and nods to that story woven throughout Before Dorothy. This is such a beautifully and masterfully told story that it has led me to order the entire series of books by L. Frank Baum. This is the backstory you never knew you needed until you read it.
Highly recommended!
- Publisher : Berkley
- Publication date : June 17, 2025
- Language : English
- Print length : 368 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0593440331
- ISBN-13 : 978-0593440339
I purchased this book with an Audible credit. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.
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