Before Dorothy By Hazel Gaynor Book Review

I stayed up way too late with Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor, swept up in its raw emotion and dusty Kansas setting. I felt every heartbreak and hope in Aunt Em’s story. The Oz connection gave me chills. This book surprised me with its honesty and depth.

Key Takeaways

Before Dorothy tells a touching story about family, hope, and survival. It takes place in Kansas during the 1930s. The setting feels real and alive.
The characters, especially Emily Gale, seem real and easy to understand. They pull readers into their problems and happy moments.
People who like historical fiction and The Wizard of Oz will see important links. But the book is also a strong story on its own. It is full of deep feelings.

Worth Reading?

Appeal

I’ll be honest—Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor pulled me in right away. I started reading after dinner and suddenly it was midnight. My eyes felt gritty, but I couldn’t put it down. The story has this raw, honest energy that made me care about Emily Gale from the first chapter.

I felt the dust in my throat, the ache of loss, and the tiny sparks of hope that kept Emily moving forward.

Here’s what really grabbed me:

Hazel Gaynor knows how to write characters who feel real. Emily’s struggles with family, drought, and heartbreak made me root for her.
The Kansas setting in the 1930s felt so vivid. I could almost hear the wind and see the dust storms rolling in.
The book explores big themes—courage, heart, and what it means to find home. It’s not just about surviving, but about holding on to love when everything else falls apart.
If you love stories that connect to classics, the Oz references will give you chills. I got goosebumps every time Dorothy’s world peeked through.

Note: Hazel Gaynor is a New York Times bestselling author, so I expected strong writing and she delivered. The historical details and emotional depth made this book stand out from other historical fiction I’ve read.

The story feels both familiar and new, especially if you grew up with The Wizard of Oz. It’s not a pulse-pounding thriller, but it’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind after you finish.

Audience

I kept thinking about who would love this book as much as I did. Here’s who I think will get the most out of it:

Fans of historical fiction who want more than just dates and events. If you like stories about real people facing tough times, this one’s for you.
Anyone who grew up loving The Wizard of Oz. You don’t need to know every detail, but if you ever wondered about Aunt Em’s life before Dorothy, you’ll find answers here.
Readers who enjoy stories about family, sacrifice, and hope. The book doesn’t shy away from hard topics, but it always finds a way to show light in the darkness.
If you’re looking for a book club pick, this one has plenty to talk about—family, survival, and what makes a home.

I noticed the story connects with a wide range of readers. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, teacher or student, city or country. The themes are universal. I read it curled up on my couch, but I can see this book sparking conversations in classrooms or around kitchen tables.

Plot

Emily Gale’s Journey

I got pulled into Emily Gale’s story right from the start. She isn’t just Dorothy’s aunt—she’s a woman with her own heartbreaks and hopes. In Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor, Emily faces one challenge after another. Her life feels like a series of storms, both real and emotional. I watched her struggle to keep her family together when everything seemed to fall apart.

Emily’s journey is about survival, but it’s also about finding small moments of joy.
She faces tough choices that made me stop and think about what I would do in her shoes.
The story doesn’t rush. It lets you sit with Emily’s pain and hope, which made her feel real to me.

I noticed how the author layers Emily’s experiences, almost like using different plots on a graph to show all the ups and downs. Each chapter adds a new piece, just like how a radar plot shows patterns and differences. This style helped me see the big picture of Emily’s life, not just the sad parts.

Kansas, 1932

Kansas in 1932 felt alive on every page. I could almost taste the dust and hear the wind rattling the windows. The setting shapes every part of the story. The drought and the Great Depression press down on Emily and her neighbors.

The town feels small, but the problems feel huge.
Every day brings a new test—will the crops survive, will the family have enough to eat, will hope last another day?

The author uses the setting like a harvest plot, grouping moments of hope and hardship so I could see the direction of Emily’s life. Kansas isn’t just a backdrop. It’s a character, pushing Emily to her limits and showing what she’s made of.

Characters

Emily Gale (Aunt Em)

Emily Gale caught my attention right away. She is not just in the background in Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor. She works hard for her family every day. I saw her strength when she faced the dust storms. She showed kindness in her quiet moments with Dorothy.

Her choices seemed real. Sometimes she was brave. Sometimes she acted out of fear. I could tell she was tired by how she stood and used her hands. This reminded me of The Secret Garden, where you can see a character’s struggles in how they look. Emily’s words made me want to cheer for her, even when she made mistakes.

Dorothy

Dorothy feels both like the girl I know and someone new. She is not the main character, but she changes the story. I liked seeing her through Emily’s eyes. Dorothy is curious and stubborn when she talks. She asks hard questions and does not always take easy answers. I smiled at her hope, even when things were tough. Her bond with Emily brings both comfort and problems. Their relationship feels real.

Henry and Others

The other characters in Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor make the story richer. Henry stands out because he is calm and strong. Here is a table that shows how people talk about supporting characters:

Character	Role in Story	What Stands Out
Henry	Emily’s husband, quiet strength	Offers support, rarely complains
Neighbors	Community members	Show kindness or rivalry
Town Leaders	Authority figures	Set rules, sometimes obstacles

Themes

Family and Sacrifice

Family sits at the heart of this story. I saw Emily’s choices shape every page. She gives up comfort, sleep, and sometimes her own dreams for Dorothy and Henry. I felt her struggle. Sometimes she questions if her sacrifices matter. Other times, she finds meaning in small moments—like a quiet meal or a gentle touch.

Researchers have found that sacrifice in families can feel rewarding or heavy, depending on support and open talk. Some people, like Emily, find strength in faith or love. Others feel lost or tired, especially when they carry the load alone.
Studies on families facing tough choices, like organ donation, show that emotions run deep. People want to protect their loved ones, even if it means giving up something big. These stories match what I saw in Emily’s journey.

“Family means doing hard things for each other, even when it hurts. Sometimes, that’s the only way to keep hope alive.”

Survival and Hope

Survival in this book isn’t just about food or shelter. It’s about holding on when the world feels empty. Emily faces dust storms, hunger, and loss. Still, she keeps going. I saw hope in the way she looks at Dorothy, or in the way she plants seeds, even when rain seems far away.

Researchers say hope and survival often show up together in stories. People find hope in small wins, like a good day or a kind word. During hard times, hope can mean seeing a better future, even if it’s just a dream.
Studies during the pandemic found that hope helps people see new meaning in life. It’s not always easy, but it keeps us moving.

I finished the book feeling like hope is a choice. Emily chooses it, again and again.

Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor and The Wizard of Oz

Connections

When I picked up Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor, I expected a simple Oz prequel. What I got felt much richer. The book weaves in Oz details, but it never turns into pure fantasy. I spotted nods to the scarecrow, tin man, and even the tornado.

The author drops in these references like little Easter eggs for fans. Sometimes, I grinned when I caught them. Other times, I wondered if they fit the story or just popped up for nostalgia.

Here’s what stood out to me:

The story uses Oz characters and themes, but keeps its feet on the ground in Kansas.
The witches and wizard feel more like symbols than real people.
The timeline sits in the 1930s Dust Bowl, not the original Oz era. I noticed the author leaned more on the movie than the old book.
Some reviewers say the Oz bits feel forced, but I liked how they made me think about the real struggles behind the magic.

Impressions

Writing Style

I have to give props to Hazel Gaynor for her writing style in Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor. The story feels warm and personal, almost like a friend telling me about her hardest days. I noticed the sentences flow easily, with just enough detail to paint a picture but never too much to slow me down. The chapters use clear signposts, so I never felt lost.

The author uses simple words that hit hard.
I found myself underlining lines that felt honest or true.
The dialogue sounds real, not forced or fancy.

Research shows that stories told in a narrative style feel warmer and more inviting than those packed with stats or big words. I felt that here. The writing made me want to keep reading, even when my eyes got tired.

“Some books feel like homework. This one felt like a late-night talk with someone who gets it.”

Emotional Impact

This book had me feeling everything. I felt the dust, the hunger, and the hope. Sometimes I had to stop and breathe because the sadness felt so close. Other times, I smiled at small moments of kindness.

I got attached to Emily and her family.
The story made me think about my own family and what I would do for them.
I finished the last page and just sat there, thinking.

Reader surveys say people connect more with stories that show real feelings and struggles. I saw that in the comments from other readers, too. Many said they reread parts or shared the book with friends. The emotional arc kept me hooked, even when the plot slowed down.

If you want a book that makes you feel, Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor delivers.

Strengths & Weaknesses

I always look for what a book does best and where it stumbles. Here’s what stood out to me after finishing this one late at night, tissues in hand and heart a little sore.

Strengths:

The characters feel real. Emily’s pain and hope made me care about her. I saw her as more than just Aunt Em.
The Kansas setting pulled me in. I could almost taste the dust and feel the wind. The author paints each scene with simple, strong words.
The story’s emotional honesty hit hard. I found myself thinking about my own family and what I’d do in Emily’s shoes.
The Oz connections felt like hidden treats. They never took over the story, but they added a layer of meaning for fans.
The pacing lets you breathe. I liked how the book gave me time to sit with each moment.

Weaknesses:

Sometimes the story moves slowly. If you want a fast read, you might get restless.
A few Oz references felt a bit forced. I caught myself wondering if they were needed or just there for nostalgia.
Some side characters could have used more depth. I wanted to know more about Henry and the neighbors.
The ending left a few questions hanging. I like closure, so this bugged me a bit.

I compared my thoughts with other reviews and noticed similar patterns. Readers love the emotional depth and setting, but some wish for a quicker pace or more character detail. Aggregated feedback often points out that books with honest feelings and strong settings build trust, but slow pacing can lose some readers.

Recommendation

Who Should Read

I kept thinking about who would really connect with this story. If you love books that make you feel something deep, this one fits. I found myself rooting for Emily, even when things got tough. Here’s who I think should pick up Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor:

Fans of historical fiction who want more than just facts and dates.
Readers who grew up with The Wizard of Oz and always wondered about Aunt Em’s life.
Anyone who likes stories about family, sacrifice, and hope.
Book clubs looking for a story that sparks real talk about what makes a home.

If you want a book that moves fast or has a lot of action, you might get restless. But if you like stories that linger and make you think, this one will stick with you.

Final Thoughts

I’ll be honest, Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor surprised me. I started reading for the Oz connection, but I stayed for Emily’s heart. The Kansas setting felt real. The dust, the wind, the small moments of hope—they all pulled me in. I finished the book with a lump in my throat and a new respect for Aunt Em.

The writing feels honest and warm.
The story made me think about my own family and what I would do for them.
I have to give props to the way the author blends history with emotion.

If you want a book that makes you feel, this one delivers. I’d rate it a solid 7/10. It’s not perfect, but it’s the kind of story that stays with you after the last page. I’d hand it to anyone who wants a story about finding hope in hard times.

I liked how Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor mixes real feelings with a tough Kansas setting.
People who like Oz will notice smart hints, but anyone who likes stories about the past and strong feelings will enjoy this book.
This story made me think about family, hope, and what it means to have a home. You should give it a chance!