BLOG TOUR - Before Dorothy

Title:  Before Dorothy 

Author:  Hazel Gaynor

Publisher:  Berkley 

Genre:   Historical Fiction; Women’s Fiction 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   368

Date of Publication:   June 17, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars 

DESCRIPTION:

Long before Dorothy visits Oz, her aunt, Emily Gale, sets off on her own grand adventure, leaving gritty Chicago behind for Kansas and a life that will utterly change her, in this transporting new novel from New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor.

Chicago, 1924: Emily Gale and her new husband, Henry, yearn to leave the bustle of Chicago behind for the promise of their own American dream. But leaving the city means leaving Emily’s beloved sister, Annie, who was once closer to her than anyone in the world.

Kansas, 1932: Emily and Henry have made a life in the warmth of the community of Liberal, Kansas, and among the harsh beauty of the prairie. Their lives hold a precarious and hopeful purpose, until tragedy strikes and their orphaned niece, Dorothy, lands on their doorstep.

The wide-eyed child isn’t the only thing to disrupt Emily’s world. Drought and devastating dust storms threaten to destroy everything, and their much-loved home becomes a place of uncertainty and danger. When the past catches up with the present and old secrets are exposed, Emily fears she will lose the most cherished thing of Dorothy.

Bursting with courage and heart, Before Dorothy tells the story of the woman who raised a beloved heroine, and ponders the what is the true meaning of home?

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

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.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hazel Gaynor is an award-winning New York Times, USA Today, Globe and Mail and Irish Times bestselling historical novelist. Her debut novel, THE GIRL WHO CAME HOME, was awarded the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year, and her novels have been shortlisted for the 2016 and 2020 Irish Book Awards, the 2019 HWA Gold Crown Award, the 2020 RNA Historical Novel of the Year and the 2021 Grand Prix du Roman Historique. Her latest novel, WHEN WE WERE YOUNG & BRAVE/THE BIRD IN THE BAMBOO CAGE was a national bestseller in the USA and an Irish Times bestseller. 

Hazel’s co-written novels with Heather Webb - LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS, MEET ME IN MONACE and THREE WORDS FOR GOODBYE have all been published to critical acclaim, winning and being shortlisted for several international awards. 

Hazel was selected as a 2015 WHSmith Fresh Talent pick, and by Library Journal as one of Ten Big Breakout Authors. She is published in twenty-five territories and her books have been translated into eighteen languages. Originally from Yorkshire, England, she now lives in Ireland with her husband and two children and is represented by Michelle Brower of Trellis Literary Management, USA.

For more information, visit www.hazelgaynor.com

where you can also sign up for her newsletter.

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