This is a wonderful historical novel. The main character is Maud Baum wife of L. Frank Baum the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The story moves back and forward in time from the early days of Maud and Frank's courtship and married life to Maud's mission to make sure that the Hollywood movie remains true to her deceased husbands story. Maud's mission to make sure the movie is done correctly begins to encompass her concern for the young girl portraying Dorothy in the movie. The reader also learns that Maud's mother was a suffragette who raised her daughter to be a strong independent thinker.

Having read and loved all of the Oz books as a child, it was shocking to realize I knew almost nothing about the life of the author, L Frank Baum. This work of historical fiction does a wonderful job of telling the story of his life, but more importantly the strength of the woman who shared that life with him.

Who doesn't love the The Wonderful Wizard of OZ! This book provides an other look at this icon of a story. Maud was married to the author of the book and when she finds out the story is being made into a movie, she is determined to guard the secrets of the story. She arrives on set and sees Judy Garland bring the story to life and Maud feels that she must protect both the actress and the real Dorothy.
This book tells of love, loss and inspiration just as the original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz treated us to those emotions.

FINDING DOROTHY by Elizabeth Letts is a LibraryReads choice for February 2019 which will definitely appeal to readers of historical fiction and of works by authors like Lisa Wingate, Paula McClain, and Melanie Benjamin. In Letts' novel, Maud Gage Baum, the widow of L. Frank Baum, is in Hollywood during the 1938-39 filming of The Wizard of Oz, but the story also moves back and forth in time to recount her childhood and married years. It is a fictionalized account filled with real people and events like Maud's early life near Syracuse, her stint as an undergrad at Cornell and times with her husband in South Dakota and Chicago. As such, the text also offers an informative look at turn of the century America and a more rural time. In addition, there is a theme of women's rights – due to connections to Maud's mother who was a fairly famous suffragette, to dangers of pregnancy, and to later treatment of Hollywood actresses like the young Judy Garland.

Booklist called Maud "a fascinating character" and I totally concur; I especially enjoyed seeing how elements of her life story may have found their way into Baum's books. Publishers Weekly gave FINDING DOROTHY a starred review. There are many surprises and much for fans of the movie to enjoy here.

Link in live post: http://libraryreads.org/february-2019-libraryreads/

Published at the turn of the century in 1900, L. Frank Baum’s THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ seems like a book that has always existed, separate from an author or publishing process and connected only to its readers. When the iconic movie adaptation released in 1939, it too remained a classic, and many viewers fell in love with Dorothy, Toto and the yellow brick road without ever realizing that the story was born in the pages of a book. In her engrossing and illuminating novel, FINDING DOROTHY, author Elizabeth Letts turns the table to focus not only on the man behind Oz, but also on the woman behind him and her role in bringing Dorothy to life on the big screen.

When we meet Maud Baum, she is in her 70s and long widowed by her husband, Frank. She recently has learned that the film rights to his most popular work, THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ, have been purchased by MGM Studios. When she finds out that MGM has cast Judy Garland as Dorothy, she is reminded of a promise she made to her late husband to always take care of Dorothy, and vows to find a way onto the set to make sure that his vision is brought to life. She does just that, giving her a chance to hear the first version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” see the actors cast as the Munchkins, and watch with great concern as Judy is stifled, oppressed and abused by the men around her. From then on, she knows it is not only her job to protect her husband’s work, but also to watch over the young actress.

Told in alternating timelines, FINDING DOROTHY details both the love story between Maud Gage and L. Frank Baum and how Judy Garland made her dazzling portrayal of Dorothy come to life. In a parallel narrative to the Hollywood storyline, we meet a young Maud, daughter to Matilda, an ardent suffragette with pointed views and a no-nonsense demeanor (for reference, Matilda was a contemporary and dear friend of Susan B. Anthony). Although Maud is a bit of a tomboy, she still suffers under the weight of her mother’s expectations and refusal to fly under the radar. This baggage is truly highlighted when Maud joins the coed class at Cornell, where she is one of 20 or so women who learn, eat and socialize amongst college boys --- all while bearing their rude remarks, fragile egos and drunken fraternizing. Maud feels as though she may never find the freedom she desires until she meets Frank, her roommate’s cousin, a bright and captivating young man who acts in, writes and directs theater productions.

As an elderly Maud reflects and reminisces on her life with Frank, Letts draws numerous parallels to her life as a rebellious young woman and the various indiscretions she observes on the set. Knowing the actress’s fate, readers will feel 16-year-old Judy’s pain as she is forced into a strict diet, flirted with by older men and generally ignored as a real person. Letts brings the set to life; Maud’s interactions with costume designers, directors and actors remind us all that The Wizard of Oz was truly cutting-edge for its time, and the amount of work that went into it was staggering. Fun fact: Dorothy’s famous shoes were originally meant to be silver, but the producers worried that silver would not look good on film. Now it is hard to imagine an Oz without ruby slippers.

Tales of old Hollywood are always dazzlingly captivating, and there is something scandalous about reading about young Judy before the drug addictions and tabloid rumors, but for me the true star of FINDING DOROTHY was Maud. Letts writes such a complex and dedicated portrait of this forgotten woman, and her struggle between wanting to learn and be independent and her desire to break away from her mother’s notoriety positively leaps off the page. Later, when she and Frank are married and struggling to get by, they find themselves in South Dakota, and I loved learning about Frank’s life before his writing took off. Even more fun was seeing which tiny, seemingly unimportant elements of Maud and Frank’s life later found their way into his Oz books. In one scene, for example, Frank delights some children by telling a story about a woodcutter who is so clumsy that he has to keep getting body parts made of tin. His point in relating this story is the usefulness of his family’s oil company, but it is easy to see the gears turning for the character of the Tin Man.

It is worth noting that FINDING DOROTHY is definitely a work of fiction. Maud did meet Judy, but it is unlikely that she had such a strong role in the girl’s life. And while an early scene has her saving the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from being cut, that seems implausible. What is true, though, is Frank’s dedication to women’s rights, something that will likely please modern readers. In fact, upon reflection, I can now see that Dorothy herself was a much more strong-willed, feminist character than I ever realized when watching the movie or reading the books as a child. Though his views were no doubt bolstered by his wife and her suffragette mother, Letts also shows us the ways that Frank himself championed women’s rights and how his work informed his writing.

A delightful look behind the scenes, FINDING DOROTHY is a book full of magic, and a wonderful tribute to the beloved books and movie that we now consider American classics. Maud’s storyline is every bit as compelling as its Hollywood counterpart, and Letts does a brilliant job of bringing her characters to life, connecting the dots between fact and fiction, and illuminating the power of women to protect and celebrate one another.

I wasn't sure I'd like this one, but I love Wizard of Oz stuff, so I wanted to try. I was pleasantly surprised at the storytelling and the character of Maud. It was easy to read and get involved in. I liked how it switched between her younger days and when the movie was being made. A very interesting take on the story.

Fascinating story about how the author of The Wizard of Oz went about Finding Dorothy interspersed with the making of the movie in 1938-39.

Maud Baum is the unifying character in the two strands of her life described in the book. It begins with a 77-year-old Maud attempting to get on the MGM lot to ensure that her long-dead husband’s book would be faithful carried to the silver screen. While the bright colors of Technicolor including the bright green of Oz were unfamiliar, Maud sees a vulnerability and talent in Judy Garland when she hears her singing “Over the Rainbow”. After proving her worth to the MGM honchos, Maud covertly takes Judy under her wing with the help of the studio head’s secretary.

In a parallel story, Maud at nineteen is one of the first woman at Cornell. Her mother, a famous suffragette, insists that she become an attorney. However, Maud only has eyes for handsome actor and small theater producer, Frank Baum. Once married, the couple are deeply in love but have ongoing financial problems. When Frank is convinced to publish the book he spends travel time on the train writing, the Wizard of Oz thrusts them both into the spotlight.

I enjoyed both parts of Maud’s story but perhaps the movie one slightly more. Finding Dorothy is an excellent look behind the scenes at the cost of both movie and literary stardom. 4 stars!

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz will enjoy this dramatization of the life of Maude Baum (Gage), Frank's wife and advocate.

I am a huge fan of The Wizard of Oz and in 2009 I read The Real Wizard of Oz by Rebecca Loncraine, one of the books Letts used in her research so I was excited to read this historical fiction take on the creation of Oz. Overall, the story is interesting, but seems to lack emotion. There just wasn’t enough of a connection between Maud’s emotional connection to the Oz stories and her assumed passion to making sure the movie honored the book. As an avid reader and movie geek, I understand that need for an adaptation to be “just right,”, but it just didn’t show upon the page until too late.

Such an original and interesting story, it will hook you from the first scene to the last. Absolutely charming, the outlook on The Wizard of Oz you never knew you needed, but won't be able to put down once you start.

Finding Dorothy is the story behind one of the most beloved books (and movies) of all time, The Wizard of Oz. The story is told through the voice of L. Frank Baum’s wife, Maud.

Finding Dorothy covers the time that Maud and Frank live in South Dakota, barely making ends meet. It was during this time that the couple meets a real life Dorothy who inspired Frank to write the novel. The book also covers Maud’s early years as the daughter of a suffragette.

When Maud later is introduced to Judy Garland, who would play the beloved Dorothy character in the movie, she describes how Garland’s rendition of “Over the Rainbow” takes her back to those tough days before the book’s big boom.

Maud and Judy Garland connect despite their over sixty year age difference. Maud is a widow at the time of the making of the movie.

Alternating between the past storyline of Maud’s life and Maud and Frank’s marriage, there is also the storyline in 1939 on the active film set of the movie. During these days, Judy is mistreated by those making the movie, as well as by her “stage” mother, and Maud does her best to protect her.

Finding Dorothy feels well-researched and authentic. Fans of the book or movie will gobble this one up. The author is as passionate about the story as many of us are, and it shines through in her writing, especially in the afterword. If you are a Wizard of Oz fan, I think this one should definitely be on your TBR!

I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

As a Kansas girl I grew up watching the Wizard of Oz but knew next to nothing about the man who created the world.

This switches back and for between 1939 when the movie was being filmed and the late 1800s when Maud Gage is a girl. She is the woman who grows up and falls in love with L. Frank Baum. The flashbacks are from her perspective of their life together.

I found this a well researched historical novel. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Maud, wife of Frank Baum the author of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" finds herself on the movie set of "The Wizard of Oz" and feels inclined to take the young Judy Garland under her wing. The story alternates between the 1939 movie set and the late 1800's and Maud's young life. As the story is told we begin to understand who Dorothy is and what she means to Maud and Frank as well as the meaning behind the popular book.

I loved this unique historical fiction novel. This is more about Maud and her life growing up in the home of a women's rights activist and married to a creative and impulsive man than it is about "The Wizard of Oz" but if you are a fan of the movie this is a must read. It has made me want to go back and read Baum's book again. I recommend this book to fans of historical fiction or people who grew up watching the movie or reading the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced reader's copy of "Finding Dorothy" in exchange for my honest review.

I began reading Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts with low expectations and a bit of trepidation. I had read the Oz books and watched the movie, and frankly, I did not want this book to shade those memories.

I need not have worried. This exceptionally well-written novel captured me from the first chapter which introduces us to Maud Gage Baum, the wife and widow of L. Frank Baum, who created Oz. Moving seamlessly from the filming of the movie to the story of their marriage and family, it is a compelling love story of a marriage that succeeds despite obstacles, hardships, and strife. It also is a story of the making of a movie, whose success is entirely dependent on the teenaged Judy Garland. Above all, this is historical fiction at its best. Letts gives us a clear picture of the expectations and limitations of women in the second half of the 19th century and the effort to gain the right to vote. Maud’s mother was in the highest level of leadership in the suffrage movement. In 1938, as the movie is being made, Maud assumes the role of protector and mentor of the young star, who is manhandled and mistreated by almost every other person around her. As the Baum family moves to the western frontier, we are privy to the harsh economic and environmental challenges they confront.

All of the characters are multi-faceted and richly drawn. The dialogue rings with authenticity and the descriptions can make a reader feel the rain or shiver with the cold. Having created a complex tapestry, Letts goes one step further – she sprinkles a little magic dust that will add new dimension to those of us that love the world of Oz.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Publishers and Goodreads for allowing me the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this book.. the Author did an incredible job in every aspect on this timeless tale... I highly recommend this book it is worth the money and will be an added investment to your library for years to come

I loved this book! I grew up watching The Wizard of Oz each year starting in the 1950s. I was so surprised to see how the producers change from black and white to color when Dorothy lands in Oz. Elizabeth Letts’ story about Maud, the author Frank Baum’s widow. Twenty years after his death, she goes to MGM where they are filming the Wizard of Oz in 1938 and befriends Judy Garland. We are treated to flashbacks of Maud’s childhood and later her time with Frank. I laughed and cried while reading this wonderful book.Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This mesmerizing story brought me back into the world of Oz and thoughtful of the numerous times I watched this classic and yearned for a pair of those magic shoes. Written from the perspective of Frank Baum’s wife Maud, Elizabeth Letts artfully connects the dots between meticulous historical research and imagination. I was drawn in from the beginning and loved the smallest details and her respectful peek into the lives of this influential couple. There is also much to learn about Judy Garland and her tragic life.

I have enjoyed numerous books told from the ‘woman behind the man’ perspective and this is among the best I’ve read. Maud is an inspiring woman who’s opinion often didn’t matter as her man’s accomplishments get plenty of public attention. I loved her spunk in the face of life’s challenges and highly recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction. Thanks to Random House Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*will post in additional online venues upon publication

A historical fiction novel, Finding Dorothy tells the imagined story of L. Frank Baum’s widow, Maud, in the days when Hollywood has cast Judy Garland to star in her husband’s famous book: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The story begins in 1938 with Mrs. L. Frank Baum navigating her way through MGM’s studios to have an audience with the studio’s head, determined to make her case and act as a consultant on the film. Letts is no stranger to researching history for her books; The Eighty-Dollar Champion and The Perfect Horse were both New York Times bestselling nonfiction. While this is a work of fiction, much of the content is based on facts. Get ready for an exciting journey where you feel like you are best friends with Maud, where you get excited again (as well as protective) about the Land of Oz we know so fondly.

For my mother's generation and mine, The Wizard of Oz was much more than just a story or simply a popular movie. It was an intrinsic step in our lives, a promise that it was alright to dream, and there was always a chance to make your dreams come true. Mom read the stories to us girls, and we in turn read the Oz books to our children, and occasionally over the last 40 or so years we were able to watch the movie on late night television or even see it on the big screen at a special screening. And ALWAYS there were tears, evoking memories and hopes and dreams both achieved and missed. I had thought that little if anything could top the emotions my heart remembers when I hear Judy Garland sing 'Over the Rainbow'. Elizabeth Letts managed to do just that. I can't tell you how many times I had to set this book aside and pull memories out of the archives of my heart, shed a tear or two, have a cup of tea, call a sister.

This is a book you need to read, even those of you too young to have much memory banked in the land of Oz. You will love Maud and Frank Baum, and seeing the life that goes into the making of the story, and the heartbeats that went into the filming of the original movie. And I hope there will come a time you will want to read The Wizard of Oz to your children. There are 14 other Oz stories by Frank Baum but they are much harder to find.

I'm going to see if they have the 1939 movie on Netflix and if so, watch it again tonight. And if you haven't seen the Broadway play "Wicked" yet, do so. It can make you laugh until you cry.

I received a free electronic copy of Finding Dorothy from Netgalley, Elizabeth Letts, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a magical movie whose popularity hasn’t diminished since its debut in 1939. Elizabeth Letts has written a novel that is just as charming as the movie. It is obvious that the author of Finding Dorothy did extensive research before she began writing. The result is a story that is historical in nature but interwoven with the author’s imagination, producing a novel that is entertaining, informative and well-crafted.

At the center of the story is Maud Baum, the widow of the author of The Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum. At the age of 77, Maud became involved in the creation of the now-famous movie. Her own life story is interesting and inspiring in its own right. But, her involvement in the movie is what sets this book apart. This imaginative book tells the story behind the making of the iconic movie and, even though much of this is a product of the author’s imagination, it is very plausible and believable.

As a result, Finding Dorothy is a fabulous read. I highly recommend it anyone who is a fan of the movie and enjoys historical literature in general.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.