3.75 stars

What a dark, fascinating, exciting story. Such an interesting retelling. Did I love it…Judy is still out. I do not hate it though.
I was not entirely comfortable with all the Bible quotes, but I suppose I get why they were used, but maybe there could’ve been way less to get the point across.

Either way, this book is definitely worth the read just for the uniqueness of the story.

"After Oz" by Gordon McAlpine is a clever and imaginative retelling of L. Frank Baum's classic "The Wizard of Oz." Set in modern-day Hollywood, the novel follows the adventures of a washed-up actor named Skip Granger who finds himself transported to the Land of Oz after a freak accident on set.

McAlpine's writing is witty and inventive, blending elements of fantasy, mystery, and satire to create a fresh and engaging take on the beloved tale. The characters are quirky and memorable, from Skip's bumbling antics to the colorful inhabitants of Oz who are grappling with their own existential crises.

The novel is filled with clever nods to the original story, as well as contemporary references that add humor and depth to the narrative. McAlpine skillfully weaves together themes of self-discovery, redemption, and the power of imagination, creating a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

"After Oz" is a delightful and whimsical novel that will appeal to fans of the original classic as well as readers looking for a fresh twist on familiar themes. Gordon McAlpine has created a captivating tale that will leave readers enchanted until the very end.

What an absolutely fantastic read that was. I read it in one sitting, cover to cover. I could not put it down. This is my favourite book of the year so far.

It hooked me from the first page, the POV of the unknown townsperson and their infallible beliefs was so well done. I am not a religious person whatsoever but even the biblical quotes didn't make me hesitant. It made it all the more believable for the time period in which the novel was published, communities were founded on religion, it was instilled into them and it made the turn of events later on in the book make so much more sense.

It was so interesting to read, a rather dark tale in contrast to the original, great for the adult who loved The Wizard of Oz as a child, it is such a popular classic but I never actually stopped to think about the implications of a young girl believing that something like this had happened in a time and place where such things would be seen as demonic or sinful. It makes you wonder what actual opinions of the author of the original would have been like. Whether children would have been able to enjoy stories like this, in communities were it was set. 1900 was a very different time, but sometimes you don't realise how much. Especially in regards to gender beliefs, the law and religious importance.

It's such a loved story, portrayed in so many ways, but the way the author put this completely original twist on it was mindblowing.
Seeing the POV of Evelyn and the way she would have been treated by people of the time was awful yet humbling, and her attitude towards it all, her sense of justice was great to read.

The way the story is written, using the speech and thinking of the time, wouldn't be a usual style for me, but I found it gripping. I was reading the pages so fast at one point I was shocked at how far into the book I was. But it felt so genuine, the book could have been published at the same time as the original, rather than this year, and I would have been none the wiser.

I can't believe how different this is from anything I've read, its one of the most refreshing books I've read in a long time, and it's actually reignited my love for reading as a whole, not just the specific genres I've limited myself to, historical isn't usually my forte, I read the book because of my love of The Wizard of Oz and now I feel like I want to gorge on books set in the late 1800s, rather than contemporary or fantasy books.

The murder mystery aspect of the book was very well done, some of the twists and turns I didn't see coming at all, and the postscript in the epilogue letter was a lovely added touch

I hope this book gets the hype it deserves and I'm really looking forward to it coming out in print so I can add it to my shelf. Now I'm going to recommend it to all the readers I know so I can discuss it with someone else.

"After Oz" presents a gripping mystery that reimagines the aftermath of "The Wizard of Oz" with a dark and intriguing twist. Set in a small town marked by misogyny and Christian power dynamics, the Kansas setting adds depth to the narrative. The story centers around Dorothy Gale, who disappears and later returns after her family's farm is ravaged by a tornado. Suspected of being crazy or even demonic by the townsfolk, Dorothy is confined to the Topeka Insane Asylum. Dr. Evelyn Grace Wilford, a compelling character, delves into Dorothy's past, uncovering the truth behind her experiences. As the plot unfolds and tensions escalate, readers are kept on edge until the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found the ending to be fitting. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC.

I have loved Wizard of Oz for so many years so I was hesitant to read a retelling but I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the characters and the dark elements.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book. With that being said, I could have definitely don without all of the bible quotes in the book. I also would have liked if the time period was shifted forward like thirty or so years.

After Oz is a captivating mystery that delves into the aftermath of The Wizard of Oz, offering a dark and intriguing twist. Set in a small town plagued by misogyny and christian power dynamics, this small town Kansas setting adds depth and complexity to the plot. The story unfolds with the disappearance and return of Dorothy Gale after a tornado ravages her family's farm.

Is Dorothy crazy? Demonic? The town sure thinks so. That's why she's placed in the Topeka Insane Asylum. The character of Dr. Evelyn Grace Wilford adds an intriguing layer to the story, as she delves into Dorothy's past and uncovers the truth behind her ordeal. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, readers are kept guessing until the very end.

I really liked this book, and I thought the ending was fitting. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.