Hazel Gaynor’s ambitious prequel to L. Frank Baum’s beloved classic transforms the austere Aunt Em of our collective memory into Emily Gale, a vibrant young woman whose dreams of prairie prosperity slowly crumble beneath the weight of America’s most devastating ecological disaster. In “Before Dorothy,” Gaynor excavates the untold story behind one of literature’s most enduring characters, crafting a narrative that oscillates between breathtaking beauty and heartbreaking despair with the unpredictability of Kansas weather itself.
The Heart of the Prairie: Character Development and Emotional Journey
Emily’s transformation from a spirited Chicago shop girl to the weathered woman we recognize from Baum’s original tale forms the emotional backbone of this novel. Gaynor masterfully chronicles her protagonist’s evolution through the lens of historical trauma, beginning with Emily’s exhilarating arrival in Kansas in 1924. The early chapters pulse with possibility—Emily marvels at wheat fields stretching “like great waves on a green ocean” and finds herself “suddenly and vibrantly aware” of her surroundings in ways she’d never experienced in the confines of urban life.
Yet this initial euphoria gradually erodes as Gaynor introduces the harsh realities of prairie existence. The author captures Emily’s growing disillusionment with particular skill during the dust bowl sequences, where romantic notions of homesteading collide brutally with environmental catastrophe. When Dorothy arrives following her mother Annie’s tragic death, Emily’s struggle to embrace maternal responsibilities while grappling with her own unfulfilled dreams creates compelling internal conflict.
Henry Gale emerges as more than the stoic farmer of Baum’s original. Gaynor imbues him with genuine warmth and unwavering optimism that serves as both Emily’s anchor and, occasionally, her source of frustration. Their relationship dynamics feel authentic to the period, reflecting the era’s gender expectations while allowing glimpses of deeper partnership that transcend traditional roles.
Historical Authenticity and Atmospheric Excellence
Gaynor demonstrates remarkable research prowess in her recreation of Depression-era Kansas. The author weaves historical details seamlessly into the narrative fabric, from flour sack dresses to the devastating Black Sunday dust storm of 1935. Her descriptions of environmental destruction carry visceral impact: dust that “boils beneath the rising summer temperatures” and storms that arrive “with the ominous rumble of a hundred steam locomotives.”
The novel excels particularly in its portrayal of farming community life during America’s ecological crisis. Gaynor captures the psychology of people caught between stubborn determination and pragmatic necessity, refusing to romanticize the hardships while honoring the courage required for prairie survival. The author’s attention to period details—from rainmaking charlatans to barnstorming aviators—creates an immersive historical landscape that feels both specific and universal.
Oz Connections and Literary Easter Eggs
While maintaining narrative independence, Gaynor peppers the story with clever nods to Baum’s mythology without resorting to heavy-handed symbolism. Dorothy’s silver shoes, inherited from her mother, reference Baum’s original silver slippers rather than the movie’s ruby version. The tornado that eventually strikes functions as both literal climax and metaphorical transformation, preparing Dorothy for her eventual journey to Oz while remaining grounded in historical reality.
Leonardo Stregone, the traveling rainmaker and Dorothy’s biological father, serves as the novel’s most intriguing Oz parallel. His charlatan’s equipment and theatrical presentations echo the Wizard’s manufactured magic, while his genuine love for Annie adds emotional complexity that elevates him beyond mere con-man caricature. Adelaide Watson, the daring aviator, brings elements of wonder and possibility that counterbalance the novel’s heavier themes.
Narrative Structure and Pacing Considerations
Gaynor employs a multi-temporal structure that occasionally disrupts narrative momentum. The frequent shifts between Emily’s journal entries, present-day action, and retrospective passages create rich textural depth but sometimes fragment emotional continuity. The middle sections, particularly during the extended drought period, occasionally feel as parched as the landscape they describe, though this may be intentional atmospheric mirroring.
The novel’s pacing accelerates dramatically during the climactic dust storm sequence, where Gaynor’s prose achieves genuine power. Her description of the storm as a “huge black cloud towered hundreds of feet above the prairie, as wide as it was tall” captures both the meteorological reality and the psychological terror of those who survived such events.
Thematic Depth and Literary Merit
Beyond its function as Oz prequel, “Before Dorothy” succeeds as a meditation on displacement, resilience, and the complex nature of home. Emily’s journey from Irish immigrant’s daughter to prairie farmer to reluctant mother figure reflects broader American narratives of reinvention and survival. Gaynor explores how environmental catastrophe shapes not only landscapes but identities, as characters struggle to maintain hope amid seemingly insurmountable challenges.
The novel’s treatment of motherhood proves particularly nuanced. Emily’s initial resistance to maternal feelings toward Dorothy, followed by her gradual acceptance of responsibility, avoids sentimentality while honoring the complexity of guardian relationships formed through tragedy rather than choice.
Writing Style and Technical Craft
Gaynor’s prose demonstrates considerable range, from lyrical descriptions of prairie landscapes to taut dialogue that captures regional speech patterns without resorting to caricature. Her ability to shift between intimate character moments and sweeping historical context shows sophisticated narrative control. However, occasional purple passages—descriptions of sunsets and wheat fields—sometimes feel overwrought, interrupting the otherwise well-calibrated emotional rhythm.
The author’s handling of historical dialect deserves particular praise. Characters speak in voices that feel period-appropriate without becoming difficult to parse, and Gaynor avoids the trap of excessive regional coloring that can distance modern readers from historical characters.
Critical Assessment: Strengths and Limitations
What Works Exceptionally Well:
- Rich historical research seamlessly integrated into character development
- Complex portrayal of environmental disaster’s psychological impact
- Nuanced exploration of family relationships formed through crisis
- Successful transformation of familiar characters into fully realized individuals
- Atmospheric recreation of Depression-era prairie life
Areas for Improvement:
- Occasional pacing lags during extended drought sequences
- Some heavy-handed foreshadowing of Oz connections
- Temporal shifts sometimes disrupt narrative flow
- Certain secondary characters remain underdeveloped
- The novel’s length occasionally tests reader patience during slower passages
Contemporary Relevance and Environmental Themes
Written during our current era of climate consciousness, “Before Dorothy” resonates powerfully with contemporary environmental concerns. Gaynor’s depiction of ecological disaster caused by human interference speaks directly to modern anxieties about climate change and environmental stewardship. The novel’s exploration of how communities respond to environmental crisis feels particularly timely, offering both historical perspective and cautionary insight.
Comparison to Gaynor’s Previous Works and Similar Literature
Readers familiar with Gaynor’s earlier novels, including “The Girl Who Came Home” and “The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter,” will recognize her skill for historical fiction that centers women’s experiences during pivotal moments. “Before Dorothy” represents perhaps her most ambitious work, tackling both beloved source material and significant historical events while maintaining narrative independence.
The novel joins recent works like Elizabeth Letts’ “Finding Dorothy” and Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked” in reimagining Oz mythology for contemporary audiences. However, Gaynor’s approach feels more grounded in historical reality than pure fantasy revision, creating a work that functions equally well for readers unfamiliar with Baum’s original.
Recommended Similar Reads
For readers captivated by “Before Dorothy,” several complementary works deserve consideration:
- “The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah – Another dust bowl novel focusing on women’s resilience during environmental catastrophe
- “The Worst Hard Time” by Timothy Egan – Non-fiction account of the dust bowl that Gaynor clearly drew upon for research
- “Finding Dorothy” by Elizabeth Letts – Alternative Oz prequel focusing on Maud Gage Baum’s influence on her husband’s writing
- “The Girls from Ames” by Jeffrey Zaslow – Exploration of lifelong friendships tested by distance and change
- “Plainsong” by Kent Haruf – Contemporary prairie fiction exploring community bonds and chosen families
Final Verdict: A Worthy Addition to Oz Literature
Despite occasional pacing issues and narrative complexity that sometimes works against emotional momentum, “Before Dorothy” succeeds admirably in its ambitious goals. Gaynor has created a historically rich, emotionally resonant story that honors its source material while standing confidently on its own merits. The novel offers both longtime Oz enthusiasts and newcomers a compelling journey through one of America’s most challenging historical periods.
Emily Gale emerges as a fully realized character whose struggles and triumphs feel both historically specific and timelessly human. Her transformation from optimistic bride to dust-weathered survivor to reluctant mother figure creates a character arc worthy of the complex woman who would eventually guide Dorothy through her own transformative journey.
While the novel may not achieve the timeless perfection of Baum’s original, it succeeds in answering questions we never knew we had about the woman behind the curtain of Dorothy’s Kansas life. In an era when familiar stories are frequently reimagined with varying degrees of success, “Before Dorothy” stands as a thoughtful, well-researched contribution to American literary mythology that enriches rather than diminishes its source material.
For readers seeking historical fiction that combines meticulous research with emotional depth, environmental themes with personal transformation, and familiar characters with fresh perspectives, “Before Dorothy” delivers a satisfying journey across the prairie landscape of both geography and the human heart.
