Recent Reads: The Oz Edition

Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor (2025)

In Before Dorothy, Hazel Gaynor imagines a new story for Emily Gale (Auntie Em to Dorothy), exploring how she and Henry came to Kansas and ending up raising their niece.  The Wizard of Oz is such a beloved story and movie, so it is a little nerve-wracking to enter that territory in a new way, but Gaynor does a beautiful job making Emily a truly well-rounded character.  We see her strained relationship with her sister, fall in love with Henry, and struggle through difficult years on the farm.  I loved all the nods to the original story, all those little Easter eggs that make this story even more special.  It's nostalgic, it's heartbreaking at times, but watching Emily become Auntie Em is really incredible.  4 stars

After Oz by Gordon McAlpine (2024)

After being missing for four days, Dorothy returns to the Gale farm with a fantastical tale of spending time in Oz, including accidentally killing a witch.  When a local spinster is then found murdered, the townspeople begin to wonder if something more sinister happened.  I thought this was a very interesting take on The Wizard of Oz - what happened after Dorothy returned?  Did people believe her story?  In this case, no, and she is committed to an asylum, but one doctor, after hearing of the case, is determined to prove Dorothy's innocence.  Themes of religion, persecution, and prejudice are woven through the novel, which is a short but satisfying read.  Although the ending went a bit off the rails for me, I enjoyed the journey.  4 stars

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