Finding Dorothy: A Novel
Feb 2019 · Ballantine Books
4.8star
11 reviewsreport
Ebook
368
Pages
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About this ebook
Discover the story behind The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the book that inspired the iconic film, through the eyes of author L. Frank Baum’s intrepid wife, Maud, in this richly imagined novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Eighty-Dollar Champion and The Perfect Horse.
“A breathtaking read that will transport you over the rainbow and into the heart of one of America’s most enduring fairy tales.”—Lisa Wingate, author of Before We Were Yours
Hollywood, 1938: As soon as she learns that M-G-M is adapting her late husband’s masterpiece for the screen, Maud Gage Baum, now in her seventies, sets about trying to finagle her way onto the set. Nineteen years after Frank’s passing, Maud is the only person who can help the producers stay true to the spirit of the book—she’s the only one left who knows its secrets.
But the moment she hears Judy Garland rehearsing the first notes of “Over the Rainbow,” Maud recognizes the yearning that defined her own life story, from her youth as a suffragist’s daughter to her hardscrabble prairie years with Frank, which inspired The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Judy reminds Maud of a young girl she cared for in South Dakota, a dreamer who never got a happy ending. Now, with the young girl under pressure from the studio as well as from her ambitious stage mother, Maud resolves to protect Judy—the way she tried so hard to protect the real Dorothy.
“A breathtaking read that will transport you over the rainbow and into the heart of one of America’s most enduring fairy tales.”—Lisa Wingate, author of Before We Were Yours
Hollywood, 1938: As soon as she learns that M-G-M is adapting her late husband’s masterpiece for the screen, Maud Gage Baum, now in her seventies, sets about trying to finagle her way onto the set. Nineteen years after Frank’s passing, Maud is the only person who can help the producers stay true to the spirit of the book—she’s the only one left who knows its secrets.
But the moment she hears Judy Garland rehearsing the first notes of “Over the Rainbow,” Maud recognizes the yearning that defined her own life story, from her youth as a suffragist’s daughter to her hardscrabble prairie years with Frank, which inspired The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Judy reminds Maud of a young girl she cared for in South Dakota, a dreamer who never got a happy ending. Now, with the young girl under pressure from the studio as well as from her ambitious stage mother, Maud resolves to protect Judy—the way she tried so hard to protect the real Dorothy.
Ratings and reviews
4.8
11 reviews
Sandra Burson
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February 14, 2019
I was very excited when I was chosen to receive an ARC book of Finding Dorothy. I had read and heard so much about it, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I'm not sure why, but at the beginning I had a hard time getting into the story. Don't do like me and almost miss this wonderful read. We all grew up watching The Wizard Of Oz. That was one of the first movies we saw on my mom and dad's new color TV. I remember the movie would show once a year and we watched it every year. We even stayed home from Sunday night church to see it. It was a big part of our family. Popping pop corn and sitting around the small TV, mom, dad and my younger brothers and I watched every minute of it. Elizabeth Letts does such a wonderful job telling the story about the wife behind the writer, Maud Gage Baum. Frank Baum is the cousin of Maud's college roommate Josie Baum. Josie thinks they are booth so strange and different from normal people, they would be perfect for each other. Maud finally agrees to come to a holiday party at Josie's parents house to meet him. As they say in movies “The Rest Is History.” This author has a wonderful ability to craft her characters and bring a setting to life. Elizabeth is an incredible story teller. As I continued to read, I forgot that I was reading a story. It felt like I was reading Maud's journal or autobiography. I never got to read any of L Frank Baum's books growing up. But I have gone to my public library and checked out several. I can't wait to read the story that inspired the film, The Wizard of Oz. Therefore inspiring this wonderful novel. It is difficult to write this review without giving part of the story away. There are so many great things I can say about it. I would highly recommend reading this very interesting, delightful story. I received a copy of this book from the publishers Ballantine Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
1 person found this review helpful
Karen Goodwin
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November 24, 2019
The author manages to write honestly about the Baums and Judy Garland while retaining all the magic that is The Wizard of Oz, the book and the movie.
2 people found this review helpful
Kimberly Hopkins
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November 22, 2024
Incredible book!
About the author
Elizabeth Letts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Eighty-Dollar Champion and The Perfect Horse, which won the PEN Award for Research Nonfiction, and The Ride of Her Life. She is also the author of the novels Finding Dorothy, Quality of Care, and Family Planning. She lives in Wyoming Maryland and Northern Michigan.
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