Before Dorothy

Most of us know Emily Gale as the no-nonsense aunt from The Wizard of Oz, but who was she as a young woman? Gaynor's Emily is courageous and optimistic, sharing her late mother's dream of living on the Kansas prairie, not afraid of hard work. She marries Henry, who relocates to Kansas to prepare their new home while Emily stays in Chicago until her sister gives birth to a baby girl. Nine years later, Emily brings that young girl to Kansas and tries to learn how to be a mother. Set amid the Dust Bowl, this novel encapsulates the immense joys and heartbreaks of prairie life, where nature's whims hold all the power and good neighbors are a lifeline. The dual time line is accompanied by excerpts from Emily's thoughtful journal. Detailed descriptions capture each of the senses as this novel explores the cost of going after our dreams and what it means to truly be a family. Rife with allusions to the original source material, this is an engaging backstory with depth that will give book clubs much to discuss.