‘A story as glimmering as the Emerald City and as hopeful as Dorothy herself, Hazel Gaynor’s latest is an important and enchanting addition to the canon of Oz’ Kristin Harmel

‘Like Dorothy stepping into Oz, Hazel Gaynor’s new novel pulls Auntie Em out of a black and white background and into a full-color world all her own’ Sarah Miller

‘A brilliant idea, superbly executed … Auntie Em and Dorothy are brought fully to life in this memorable tale of hardship and love in America’s dust bowl’ Maggie Brookes

‘Heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time, this is my favourite Hazel Gaynor novel to date, and I’ve read them all. Loved it!’ Gill Paul

‘Exquisitely written […] the themes of home, family and belonging are acutely and tenderly observed […] an absolute triumph and in contention for my book of 2025!’ Louise Fein

‘It is impossible not to become lost in this tender, heartbreaking reimagining of the story of Auntie Em. Told with the emotional depth Hazel Gaynor it known for, this book deftly weaves the familiar story of Dorothy and The Wizard of Oz with a tale of struggle and survival on the wide open prairies of the Dust Bowl. Before Dorothy is a beautiful book’ Julia Kelly

‘I was so intrigued by the brilliant premise of Before Dorothy, and the story I found waiting blew me away … A truly wondrous tale’ Jenny Ashcroft

‘Captivating, luminous, spell-binding. A clever distillation of the magic of The Wizard of Oz into the backstory of Auntie Em in Dust Bowl America, breathing new life into much-loved characters. Wonderful!’ Fiona Valpy

‘Clever, original, and immersive, this was my most anticipated read of 2025, and it certainly did not disappoint … filled with drama, heartbreak, and hope’ Carmel Harrington

‘Just wonderful – warm and immersive like all Hazel’s books and with that easy-to-read quality that draws you right in’ Tracy Rees