I loved this story!

Hazel Gaynor treats us to a new visit to the characters of The Wizard of Oz, concentrating on Dorothy's Aunt Em, and the reasoning behind Dorothy living with her and Uncle Henry.

Emily is a beautiful character, determined to follow her dreams, which lie in the Kansas prairies and making a life on the farm with Henry - her one and only love; their love is instant and beautiful. However, their dreams are disrupted with the death of Dorothy's mother, and they suddenly find themselves occupying the parental role to Dorothy - one that they have sadly never achieved themselves.

The setting and the environment are harsh and vivid, and the characters inhabit it with fortitude, grit and strength. The historical context of the great dust bowl of the prairies and its destruction of the farmers' livelihoods all add to this powerful read.

"𝑴𝒂𝒎𝒎𝒚 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆."

Before the Land of Oz and the Wonderful Wizard, Dorothy’s aunt Em sets off on her own adventure, moving from Chicago to the rolling plains of Kansas, where along with her husband Henry, they are determined to make their dreams of farm life a reality. Soon, however, the dream is shaken when Emily’s beloved sister and her husband - Dorothy’s parents - are lost in a tragedy, and Dorothy must come to stay with her aunt and uncle in Kansas.

This book honestly made my heart sing - the little Easter Eggs about witches, straw men, lions, the silver shoes (and many more) really hooked me in from the start. The story is not really about Dorothy or Oz though, it’s auntie Em’s story and I was captivated by it. The highs and lows, triumphs and devastation, it really captured me. On top of that, I was fascinated by the historical elements of the novel with regards to Kansas, the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. I found myself off on a Google tangent looking at the pictures of scenes so vividly described in the book.

I also loved the link back to Ireland, which really brought the book to another level for me - this really was a hug-in-a-book, and it’s made me want to read L. Frank Baum’s novel soon. All in all, a special read that I recommend to all, not just fans of the Wizard of Oz, although I imagine it might make the read that bit more special.

We all know Dorothy Gale; the young girl who finds herself ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ in the magical land of Oz. We know she lived in Kansas with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, but how exactly did she come to be there? From a tale where we’re told relatively little about the guardians in Dorothy’s life, we’re brought behind the scenes when we open ‘Before Dorothy.’ In this book Hazel Gaynor creates the world of beloved Auntie Em, aka. Emily Gale. Who exactly was Emily Gale and how did she become Dorothy’s guardian?

Hazel’s imagining of Emily Gale was both heartwarming and intriguing. Emily’s Irish heritage felt authentic and I loved learning about how Emily came to be in guardianship of Dorothy. The story was written in a way that linked intrinsically with the original picture, and it stayed true to the characters and storyline that we know and love. Themes and motifs from the original motion picture permeated the text and I really enjoyed how Hazel imagined the life of the characters before Dorothy’s trip to Oz. The ways in which certain words and phrases were used were brilliant, laying a clear path for Dorothy’s subconscious mind when she’s struck down by the horrific weather conditions.

As with all Historical Fiction novels, I loved learning about the history of Kansas at the time. I enjoyed learning about the culture and economy, and just how drastic the living conditions got as the weather progressively worsened. I particularly loved the character of Adelaide; she provided great respite from the secrecy that we witness from most others throughout the book. She was the dash of colour that was needed in a dull and dreadful landscape.

I’d recommend this book. I loved how Hazel Gaynor decided to write about the woman behind the heroine; the woman who raised and taught Dorothy as though she were her own. Hazel has seen the importance of showing the women who teach, the women who help, the women who raise people to be brave and firm and sure of their values. Gaynor’s Emily is a strong, brave woman who casts fear aside to prove time and time again that she can do anything required of her. I enjoyed her character and getting to see what lead her to the prairies of Kansas.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This review will be posted to Instagram: @getting.back.to.books and to www.anotherchapterpodcast.ie on April 3rd 2025.

I’m sure most of us have seen The Wizard of Oz (and/or read L. Frank Baum’s classic novel on which it’s based), but how many of us have stopped to think about what happened to the characters before the story began? Why was Dorothy living with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry? Who were her real parents? And how did the family come to be in Kansas in the first place? In Hazel Gaynor’s new novel, Before Dorothy, she sets out to answer these questions and more.

The book is written from the perspective of Emily Gale – Aunt Em – and begins in 1932 as she returns to Chicago following the death of her sister, Annie. Annie’s seven-year-old daughter, Dorothy, has been left an orphan and Emily and her husband, Henry, are to become her legal guardians. Emily hasn’t seen Dorothy since she was a baby – she and Henry now live in Kansas and her relationship with Annie has been very strained in recent years – and she’s not at all sure she’s the right person to care for a child, particularly one who has suffered the trauma of losing her parents. Once back in Kansas, however, Emily gradually begins to feel a stronger bond with Dorothy than she’d expected.

Moving backwards and forwards in time, we watch as Emily and Annie, originally from Connemara in Ireland, first arrive in Chicago in 1924 and meet their respective husbands, cousins Henry and John Gale. We also see how Emily makes the decision to start a new life with Henry in Kansas and what she discovers when she gets there. The focus is always on Emily rather than Dorothy and unlike the Baum novel and its adaptations, the story is firmly grounded in reality rather than fantasy.

I tend not to read many books that are spin-offs of classics or that borrow other authors’ characters and I only chose to read this one because I’ve enjoyed some of Hazel Gaynor’s previous work. I wasn’t sure I would like it, but I did – although I think it would probably have worked just as well if it had simply been a novel about an original fictional family living on the prairie, with no connection to the Gales. It was fun spotting the references to The Wizard of Oz, though. The scarecrow, tin man and lion all appear, as do the wizard, witches (good and wicked), the tornado and many more – although not necessarily in the form you would expect! Gaynor manages to work these references into the story in a way that feels believable and not too forced.

What I liked best about this book, though, was the portrayal of life on the prairie – the sense of adventure and optimism Emily and Henry feel when they first arrive, followed by a growing awareness that things are going to be much more difficult than they’d expected. With an influx of people coming to the Great Plains in large numbers to farm the land, there’s eventually a surplus of wheat, too much to be sold, leading to a drop in prices. Worse, the overexploitation of the land and removal of the prairie grasses, combined with a prolonged drought, causes severe dust storms (known as the Dust Bowl). The hardships and challenges faced by the Gales, as well as the environmental disaster unfolding around them, forms a big part of the novel.

I’m sure a lot of the people who read this book will have been drawn to it by the links with The Wizard of Oz, but even if that doesn’t appeal to you I think there’s still enough here to make it an enjoyable work of historical fiction in its own right.

The magic of oz with the lovely storytelling abilities of Hazel Gaynor and you have a winner!
I love the Wizard of Oz and this is a great addition to the overall Oz experience

This is such a wonderful, original idea. I was utterly enthralled. It take a while to engage the reader but once you know the characters, you're hooked. Emily is a fantastic character. We're with her every step of the way, rooting for her, sympathising with her, in awe of her. All characters are really well drawn, even the peripheral ones such as the women in the Supper Club and Nell, the sister in California. People drop in (literally!) and move on and it all feels really natural. Dorothy plays a key role but it's not focused on her so don't worry if you think it's a re-written Wizard of Oz. She's such an interesting child and there are layers woven in that make such utter sense with the events of Wizard of Oz that the reader has a real glow of satisfaction. What I particularly loved was the setting. It's somewhere I know very little about and it was fascinating to read about the prairie, its life and it's hardships. Just brilliant.

This is the most original, powerful novel I have ever read inspired by The Wizard of Oz characters. If you have ever wondered how Dorothy ended up living at her Aunt Em’s and Uncle Henry’s home in Kansas, this is the book for you! Since the author, L. Frank Baum, never revealed the circumstances in his original story, it leaves the imaginative world open to various prospects. Hazel takes us on a journey of possibilities: ones that are believable and exciting, although filled with trials and tribulations. It is easy to suppose Dorothy may have been an orphan. And if so, that opens the door to many creative plot ideas. Personally, I think what Hazel has written certainly could have happened both in reality and in the fiction sense. The back story and origins of Aunt Em and sister Annie is wonderfully composed and fits well in the scheme of things. The Irish roots, the circus connection, the marriages of the two sisters, their parting and going in different directions, the various conflicts between them, Dorothy’s birth and her arrival later in Kansas— are all believable and give readers a huge amount of food for thought.

Hazel has brilliantly imagined and delivered an epic tale that harnessed my heart and inspired my mind to such an extent I will never forget these fully formed characters and their trials and journeys. This is an evocative, soul-inspiring, gripping novel that everyone should read, if you love The Wizard of Oz. And if you don’t, you will want to read it afterwards. I actually re-read the classic myself while indulging in Before Dorothy as I just wanted to refresh my memory on details. And Hazel truly captures the spirit of Baun’s American fairytale-fantasy.

Hazel harnessed so much of the landscape and the issues that surrounded the Great Depression era and Dust Bowls in the 1930s. She doesn’t just tell us about it but shows us vividly how it affected people’s lives. I have also written about this time period and the same Dust storms that raged across Canada. The farmers, unwittingly over-worked the land. With the extreme removal of prairie grasses and overplanting of grains, the soil was left vulnerable and untethered in weather whipping hands. The dwellers paid a high price for the error and ignorance toward the natural environment and Hazel explores this openly and displays it in a cinematic way on the pages. We are transported to this time and place, seeing and feeling all that the characters of Before Dorothy experience.

There are many Oz elements and icons cleverly woven into the story that blends realistic fiction with fantasy. It makes us think of how characters like the Wizard, the Wicked Witch, the Monkeys, Tin Man, Strawman, Lion and Toto became an integral part of The Wizard of Oz. (And let’s not forget the tornadoes!) I love that Hazel added quotes from The Wizard of Oz at the start of the Part sections. And the mentions of Amelia Earhart fit beautifully, too. Plus the inclusion of one Amelia’s aviation followers adds a nice touch as it parallels well with the Oz story! I loved how Hazel smoothly and smartly utilised all of these gems in her story world.

As previously noted, I personally think this is one of the most amazing imagined novels based on a classic that has ever been written. And yes, there are some great ones out there but somehow this novel just takes over your heart and imagination in a way that leaves you changed. In fairy-tales and fantasy stories, the blending of magic and realism is paramount along with the wonderment and joy of friendship, courage and the importance of home. We see this in Before Dorothy— some in the Irish references and in the magical world of the circus and freedom of flight. Then there is the recognisable American setting with a Kansas farm girl, her aunt and uncle and little dog.

Emily is a fascinating, dedicated and determined woman who has dealt with many personal losses. Her Irish roots and memories of her mother serve her well through the tragedies she faces. I loved how her journal beautifully reveals so much of her inner struggles, triumphs and dreams—often expressed in very poetic language. Her own quest is as important as Dorothy’s and putting the focus on Aunt Em was a great angle to approach this story. With Oz’s 125th anniversary coming up, this book sits high on my pedestal of praise in honouring Frank Baum’s beloved classic.

I could rave all day about how brilliant this novel is and all the historical references and people Hazel has drawn upon, (many I have explored in my own writing). Before Dorothy is a river of fresh inspiration and just made my heart sing and set a fire in my imagination that sent many sparks flying upwards. This is a positive, beautifully written novel that addresses so many important historical events. It shows how out of ashes and trials, new life can spring. It also demonstrates the need for imaginative tales and how vitally important they are for survival. As noted by Emily’s constant reference to how grounding it is to keep her Irish heritage alive, it is also important to honour the classics such as L. Frank Baum’s Wonderful Wizard of Oz that not only provides escapism in the dark hours of doubt and disasters but also to remind us of courage, love, forgiveness and the importance of family (whatever form that may be). Hazel’s novel does this and so much more. If you only read one book this year, make it Before Dorothy! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to author and publisher HarperCollins for a review copy.

Emily leaves Chicago to follow her new husband Henry Gale to Kansas where he has bought land to farm and build a cabin for them. Emily had to stay behind for a while to be with her sister Annie who was pregnant. Circumstances meant that Emily delivered her sister’s baby . Annie was not happy when Emily decided it was time for her to go and join Henry in Kansas leaving Annie ,her husband and baby Dorothy behind. They did not part in good terms.
Emily loved the farm and everything was rosy until it wasn’t . During the hardship and at the worst time Emily finds out she has to bring Dorothy to Kansas and take care of her.

What a lovely story this is. Hazel Gaynor has written this as a prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Throughout the book I looked for and found all the little references to the book and the film and it was fun finding them.
The book is not only about that it’s about the pioneers who went to Kansas and dug up the Prairies and cultivated them to raise corn. The people were strong and hard working but they were at the mercy of the weather.; the drought, the dust storms and tornadoes.
I learned so much from this book about what the people went through, they built their farms only to have them torn apart by the weather. They built their farms again and again until the weather tore them apart once more until it eventually broke the people.
I loved the characters of Emily and Henry and Dorothy. Emily trying so hard with Dorothy and Henry knowing what to do to gain her trust. Adelaide, the breath of fresh air that swings by their farm .
The character of Wilimina West made me laugh knowing exactly who she was and the same with “ The Rainmaker” although he wasn’t really very funny. Just as in the film the main part of the story is about love and home and home not being a building or a place but being with the people you love.
I haven’t written so much about a book in a review for a long time but I just want to talk about it.
I’m sure Hazel Gaynor will have the film rights snapped up for this book. The descriptions of the farm and the prairie are so well written as are the characters and all the references to Oz are just crying out for the big screen.
I’ll leave it there and just say thanks to Hazel for a really good read. And yes, I shed a happy tear at the end.

A beautifully written journey of discovery and trudging through the difficult times to come out on top. Dorothy loses both her parents tragically and is left in the care of her aunt Emily. They slowly get to know one another. The resilience shines through.

I received a free copy of, Before Dorothy, by Hazel Gaynor, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Emily and Henry Gale moved from Chicago to Kansas in the 1930, leaving family behind is hard. Their niece comes to visit after losing her parents. I love The Wizard of Oz, it was so nice to read Auntie Em's story. This is a really great read.

A brilliant story, beautifully written! Even though I found the beginning a bit slow, the rest of the novel was captivating! I loved the descriptions of the prairie (its sounds, views, smells). Daily life is portrayed in such a realistic way that you get the feeling you sit at their table! Cleverly using quotations from The Wizard of Oz, and Emily's diaries, you do end up believing they were all real people. Very convincing characterisation! Another successful novel by Hazel Gaynor! I loved it!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

The greatest journey is the one you least expect…
Long before Dorothy visits Oz, her aunt, Emily Gale, sets off on her own unforgettable adventure much closer to home…
It makes a change to read a book that makes you feel good and is entertaining ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[3.5] this was a book i didn't know i needed to read until i'd read it!! obviously, i love any content to do with 'the wizard of oz,' but i'd never come across a spin-off about auntie em before, or one the covered the timeline before dorothy ended up in oz, so this was so interesting to me. you could tell the author was also a fan of the original works, and exisiting adaptations, as there were so many easter eggs thrown in, which were fun to spot. i wasn't 100% about the plot, as it did seem slow, or a little repetitive at times, but i think this may have been intentional, in order to draw more focus back to emily, as ultimately, it ended up being a character study. i loved that the theme of 'home,' was really explored in this, and her growing to love dorothy, as there were so many similarities between the two!! was it the best book i've ever read? probably not, but it was a fun time and an original idea for a world that already has so many spin-offs.

thank you to netgalley and harper collins uk for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oh what a joy this book was to read.

It is a retelling/prequel of the story of Dorothy and how she came to live with Auntie Em..

I loved this.. Everyone is a fan of The Wizard of Oz and Dorothy is such a recognisable character, I loved how the author has wriiten a book while losing nothing of the charm of the original tale.

As a huge Wicked/Wizard of Oz fan, I couldn't wait to read the story of what happened before Dorothy appeared. Emily's world is turned upside down when she welcomes Dorothy to her Kanas home. Find out in this fabulous book by Hazel about what happened before the events of Wicked/Wizard of Oz in this new unputdownable book. A must read. Thank you for the chance to read this advance copy.

Very excited for this beautiful book! I know readers will be as well. With the success of Wicked their seems to be a resurgence of Wizard of Oz themed book. I love that we get a spinoff of Dorothy for once and the woman who raised her.