Before Dorothy
Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor is a historical fiction novel published by Penguin Group on June 17, 2025. This edition spans 368 pages and is written in English. The story follows Emily Gale, who embarks on a transformative journey from Chicago to Kansas in the 1920s, seeking a new life with her husband, Henry. As they settle into their new surroundings, Emily grapples with leaving behind her sister, Annie, and faces the challenges of establishing a home in a harsh environment.
Readers will find a narrative that explores themes of family, resilience, and the concept of home against the backdrop of the 20th century. As Emily navigates the difficulties of prairie life, including drought and personal loss, her world is further complicated by the arrival of her orphaned niece, Dorothy. The novel delves into the complexities of relationships and the impact of past secrets, ultimately reflecting on what it means to create a sense of belonging amidst uncertainty.
Official synopsis Publisher
THE USA TODAY BESTSELLER ∙ Long before Dorothy visits Oz, her aunt, Emily Gale, sets off on her own grand adventure, leaving gritty Chicago behind for Kansas and a life that will utterly change her, in this transporting novel from New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor.
As featured in People ∙ Us Weekly ∙ Woman’s World ∙ and more!
Chicago, 1924: Emily and her new husband, Henry, yearn to leave the bustle of Chicago for the promise of their own American dream among the harsh beauty of the prairie. But leaving the city means leaving Emily’s beloved sister, Annie, who was once closer to her than anyone in the world.
Kansas, 1932: Emily and Henry have established their new home among the warmth of the farming community in Kansas. Aligned to the fickle fortunes of nature, their lives hold a precarious and hopeful purpose, until tragedy strikes and their orphaned niece, Dorothy, lands on their doorstep.
The wide-eyed child isn’t the only thing to disrupt Emily’s world. Drought and devastating dust storms threaten to destroy everything, and her much-loved home becomes a place of uncertainty and danger. When the past catches up with the present and old secrets are exposed, Emily fears she will lose the most cherished thing of all: Dorothy.
Bursting with courage and heart, Before Dorothy tells the story of the woman who raised a beloved heroine, and ponders the question: what is the true meaning of home?
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