Finding Dorothy

A Novel

By: Elizabeth Letts

Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee, Elizabeth Letts

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.

Rainbow Rich Novel of Everyone’s Favorite Movie

Excellent story line with lots of details to ponder. Don’t miss the authors postscript which explains her ideas for some of them.

I’m not crazy about the reader however. Voice is very high pitched and overly dramatic.

Sosizemore

I have just finished listening to Finding Dorothy and I am just mesmerized! I am of the generation that watched The Wizard of Oz on television every year. Knowing the back story makes the book and movie even more magical. I knew nothing of the author or his wife, even though I grew up in the Syracuse area.
This is the story of a man who created magic, often to the detriment of his family’s finances—-and the story of his wife, a woman raised by a woman’s suffragette who taught her to stand up for herself. Finally, it is the story of the making of an iconic movie remarkable for its time.
PS I must post a disclaimer: I was born on Halloween and have just the tiniest bit of the wicked witch in me!

Interesting

A bit sing-songy dialogue and the narrator was a bit dramatic for my liking but an interesting story, predominantly trie, nonetheless.

Women’s History

Finding Dorthy is a well written historical fiction novel that captures not only the story the Baum family’s journey and life but also the women’s fight for equality.

Great Read for all Oz Lovers!

While the voice of the narrator was not my favorite, this story was so compelling and fascinating. Anyone who has loved the books written by L Frank Baum like I did growing up will so appreciate the history of how the land of Oz came to be.