2.5

I felt extremely meh about this book. I requested it on NetGalley after reading the description and feeling automatically intrigued. I started this book off enjoying myself, but soon found the plot to be extremely boring. The writing was so dry that I disliked almost the whole book. I didn't like how we didn't get any part of the book from the Dorothy's POV or how the book felt like everyone's BUT Dorothy's. I think I could have gotten past the plot, but I truly couldn't get past the writing. This had so much potential to be good, but it was such a letdown for me.

I received this as an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

**Content Warning**: Mention of suicide, abandonment, mistreatment. Graphic description of death. Abusive mental health treatment.

In the small Kansas town of Sunbonnet, on the night of a catastrophic tornado, eleven year old Dorothy Gale goes missing. When she is found, days later in a neighbours pumpkin patch, she tells a tale of a fantastical land of witches, cowardly lions and talking scarecrows. When she talks of killing a witch, the dreamy, sensitive child is treated as an evil being by the God-fearing townsfolk; doubly so when the town recluse turns up dead. Did the child kill the old woman?

Sentenced to an insane asylum by a hearing more witch-hunt than trial, Dorothy is doomed. Or is she? Psychologist Dr Evelyn Grace Wilford, who has heard of the case from the newspapers, is determined to get justice for Dorothy and set her free. But at what cost?

Told in alternating chapters from an eyewitness unnamed member of the town and Dr Wilford's notes and letters, After Oz tells a tale of a hostile, uncompromising town in a hostile, unforgiving landscape, turn of the century mental health treatment and hypocrisy in the name of Christianity. Religion is a strong element here, as a small-town America in the 1890s is ruled by the Reverend and those who are not "believers" are shunned. Judgements are cast based on status and pillars of the community can do no wrong while the poor, the different, the *women* are judged to be wanting before being given a chance to speak.

It is in this toxic environment, where the ranks close against outsiders, we go in search of a killer.
This was a gripping read, full of twists and turns, and the final outcome was a surprise.

I *did* find the letters of Dr Wilford to be overly verbose, and references to her own past did not necessarily require inclusion. And the smug self-aggrandizing voice of the townsperson was infuriating.

All in all a gripping read, and an interesting twist on a much-loved tale.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

What did happen when the tornado left town? I had never thought about that concept, but Gordon McAlpine sure did and I loved what he dreamed of. I hate to give away any plot lines, because I hate spoilers, but think about a mental instruction, a murder and a twister of a different sort.

I found this book interesting, creative and fast paced. I will recommend to anyone that adores the movie and Oz books.

The story of what happens after Dorothy returns from Oz. Dorothy is from a small town that is highly religious. When she comes back talking about witches and witchcraft, most of the city turns against her and she is given mental help that force her process her return and explain her bizarre claims.

Her retelling of what happened to her for those few days she was missing is quickly connected to an actual murder in their town and she is considered dangerous. The story takes us through the trial of Dorothy as she is raked across the coals for her “pagan adventure” and grasping for parallels between her retelling and the mysterious murder in their town.

She does have one person out to prove she is innocent. She digs into the mystery and theory that someone took advantage of Dorothy’s situation to prove an old murder and place the blame on poor Dorothy. The reverend, the sheriff, the doctor, all are acting suspicious as you get major corruption small town vibes !

How scared everyone was of talk of witches gave a historical fiction feel to the mystery as well. A fun twist on a classic story and perspective not talked about much - what did Dorothy go through when she did click her heels and go home ?

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I read that this book is about what happens when Dorothy returns home after her trip to Oz, it sounded really interesting. I'm happy I read it. It was entertaining enough, but Dorothy wasn't in the story too much which I was thinking she would be.
Dorothy is blamed for a murder in the town after she described how she got rid of the witch in Oz, and it seems similar. A Dr shows up to investigate and help Dorothy out of this situation, after Dorothy is put in an asylum. The religious townspeople think Dorothy is crazy and want her locked up. This was quite a unique read. It was much darker than I was expecting but I still enjoyed it.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

After Oz by Gordon McAlpine is a book about Dorothy after returning home from Oz and the little town of SunnyDale, Kansas response to her fanciful tales. After the tornado swept through the town and ruined Uncle Henry’s farm they were devastated but then they couldn’t find 11-year-old Dorothy Gale and this is why all the townsfolk came to help. Uncle Henry was despondent and of course they thought it was due to his missing niece but that couldn’t be further from the truth. His farmhouse was in tatters and he felt he was too old to rebuild and was swept up in despair and despite the Reverend trying to console him he responded with blasphemy something the townsfolk was shocked at. When Dorothy finally returns and tells the great story of Oz and talks about witches and wizards and killing a witch with a bucket of water the good people and sunny Dale don’t know what to make of it, but when they find the cranky mis Geneva at her kitchen table with her face melted they think they know how it happened and blame it on Dorothy. She sent to the asylum and this is how she comes to meet the New York psychiatrist Evelyn Grace will Ford, she will become her friend and just may be her savior. I really was looking so forward to this book and I thought Dorothy would talk more about her time in Oz, I did think the author did a great job describing the era this happened in and how things were at the time I found him to be absolutely historically accurate which is something I love when authors do the do diligence in this author definitely did that 100%. I liked his writing style I did find it weird that uncle Henry acted as if he could care less about Dorothy because from the movies I thought he loved Dorothy but either way this was still a pretty good read in one I definitely recommend. I wish we would’ve saw more of Dorothy I thought the twist with Miss Geneva was definitely a wow moment. So yeah I would still definitely recommend the book but don’t go into it thinking it is about Oz because it’s not it’s about afterwards.#NetGalley, #CrookedLaneBooks, #AfterOz,#GordonMcAlpine,

This was heartbreaking, both in the story and in the author's note at the end. I think it did a great job of showing how, as a society, we jump to conclusions and hide behind religion. It also highlights the lack of rights and autonomy of women during the time period. I also love the twist in how L F Baum might have gotten the idea to write The Wizard of Oz.

I was interested to read a take on what happened to Dorothy when she returned to Kansas. After the tornado, Dorothy is missing for 4 days. When she is found, she relates the tale of what happened while she was at the enchanted place with witches and flying monkeys. People were not happy with her tawdry story. She mentioned killing a witch and when there was a murder, Dorothy is blamed. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting and is much darker. I thought there would be more Dorothy. Overall, it was an OK read for me. If you don’t mind darker stories, this might be a good book for you.

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Thank you to Gordon McAlpine, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have mixed feelings about this one. It did start off a little boring, and then as it went on got more interesting. But at times, I often found it to be repetitive.

I did like the two different POVs and the perspectives from both of them.

While an interesting idea and a realistic approach to how a small town would respond to Dorothy's sudden return after the tornado and her stories of Oz, this novel was hard to stay invested in and was a little rough in its approach. It is a worthwhile read for a different take on Oz, but that's about it. .

Be careful what you wish for. In the beloved tale, The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy tries tirelessly to return home. After Oz is the story of what happens when she gets there. Do the townspeople rush to receive her? Or does her tale seem not only delusional but even satanic to the religious and isolated townspeople? Sometimes ignorance is not bliss.

The book is a dark look into both the prejudices and mob mentality of small town life. After a local woman is found dead, the town accuses Dorothy of murder and sends her to an insane asylum. A psychiatrist takes an interest in Dorothy’s story and tries to prove that Dorothy is innocent.

While I enjoyed the idea of After Oz, I didn’t enjoy the obvious prejudices of the author against religious people. The entire book seems too heavy handed with hatred. The characters themselves are paper thin and mostly interchangeable. Even Dorothy herself is barely included. 3 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a review copy.

After Oz by Gordon McAlpine was super intriguing.
The book's storyline was excellent, keeping me engaged and very entertained.
Gordon McAlpine had me glued to the page right from the start and was the perfect mix of slow burn and suspense.
The author comes up with an extremely intriguing plot that keeps you so hooked throughout.

After Oz is a story of what happened to Dorothy after she got back from Oz. Its a dark retelling in a way. It ended up being a lot better than I thought it would be. Who actually thought how Dorothy's life would be after she went back to Kansas. I really enjoyed it. What a story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the chance to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Kansas, 1896 - A tornado has hit a small town in Kansas and 11-year-old Dorothy Gale is missing. When she's finally found after 4 days of searching, she tells a fantastical tale of a beautiful land, where witches and wizards and talking animals abound. Her small town is horrified, especially after the body of a local spinster is found and Dorothy is blamed for the murder; which looks to be the way she claimed to have killed a "witch" in Oz.
After learning of Dorothy's predicament, Dr. Evelyn Grace Wilford comes to Kansas from NY to see if she can discern the truth of her claim (and maybe solve the murder). But the townspeople are tight-lipped and staunch in their faith and secrets will have to come out if Evelyn wants to help Dorothy.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for this e-arc.*

I think this was a super interesting take on a well-known story. Wish there was less religious aspects, I understand the role of the reverend and I get where the book takes place just didn't feel that was part of the original story.

Is there no place like home? What happened to Dorothy Gale when she arriaved back home from Oz. What the small god fearing town accepting of her adventure story? No…she ends up in Topeka Insane Asylum accused of murder!

This was a fantastic, dark and enraging telling of Dorothy’s life after Oz.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books book an advanced copy.

This book is the point of view of Dorothy and her story after everything that happened with OZ. It was very quick and engaging easy to read. It could almost be set up as a sequel? I wonder if they will have another book. If you’re looking for a unique retelling from Dorothy’s point of view this is the book for you. It’s filled with diverse character that will keep you engaged throughout the storyline.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an advance reader copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this one! A more logical story about what would have really happened if a delusional missing girl showed up with unbelievable claims about a mystical land & the wicked witch she slew! During Dorothy's "time away" a town woman is found dead and her manner of death seems to coincide with the fanatical story she is weaving about her disappearance! Good for readers of many genres!!!

Description
This gripping and emotionally riveting tale is a dark and timely retelling of The Wizard of Oz, where one little girl is forced to face head on the prejudices of the Midwest in the late nineteenth century.

Kansas, 1896. After a tornado destroys the Gale family farm, eleven-year-old Dorothy goes missing. As the days pass, the Gales are increasingly terrified the worst has happened. But when the girl turns up unharmed four days later, the townsfolk breathe a sigh of relief. That is, until Dorothy herself relates her account of the events that took place during her disappearance.

In vivid detail, Dorothy describes a fantastical land and its magical inhabitants: a scarecrow, a tin man, a cowardly lion, a wizard, a witch. Her recollections are not only regarded as delusional, but also as pagan and diabolical in nature, especially when the body of a local spinster is found matching Dorothy's description of a witch she claims to have killed. Authorities find incriminating evidence tying Dorothy to the real murder, and they sentence Dorothy to the Topeka Insane Asylum.

When twenty-eight-year-old psychologist Dr. Evelyn Grace Wilford arrives at the asylum to interview Dorothy, she begins to wonder if Dorothy truly committed the crime or if something unfathomable has really occurred.

In a small town full of insidious secrets, Evelyn sets out to save Dorothy from her terrible circumstances, but can't help but fear whether something menacing may be lurking just out of sight.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy!
As a lover of all things Oz, this book was actually ingenious. It also brought home to me once again how crazy conservative Christians actually are.

Great, clever premise. Dorothy vanished for four days after a tornado destroyed the Gale farm, and the Gales lived in their shed while the house was being rebuilt. Search parties failed to find Dorothy, who was eventually discovered in a pumpkin patch. She related her adventures in the Emerald City of OZ with mention of talking animals, flying monkeys, and her friends, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the cowardly lion, a Wizard, and the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch. She destroyed the Wicked Witch by throwing a bucket of water on her. She was reported to have declared, " There is no place like home," but did she say instead, "There is no place that's home.?" The small Kansas town eleven-year-old Dorothy lived in and returned to after her Oz adventure is an example of religious bigotry and pious small-town prejudice in 1896.

Her fantastic tale, which included witches, was considered blasphemous and heretical. Her adventures were declared to be an example of pagan belief. A voice for the townspeople quotes Bible verses to emphasize the disdain and hostility many feel for her story. A disliked spinster, Alvina, who kept herself isolated from the townspeople, was called a witch and taunted by children. She was murdered during Dorothy's absence by lye, which destroyed her face. Dorothy's story of dissolving the Evil Oz witch by tossing water on her is taken as a confession or bragging by legal authorities. Dorothy is blamed for Alvina's actual murder. The girl is considered delusional and sentenced to the Topeka Insane Asylum.

A psychologist, Dr. Evelyn Wilford, has taken an interest in the case and travels to Kansas to interview Dorothy. There are hints that Dorothy has been drugged and kept in solitary in the Asylum.
The interviews were very dry and failed to engage me. We learn little about the case, but Dr. Wilford begins to suspect there may be some truth behind Dorothy's imagination. To save Dorothy, the psychologist must become an amateur detective to try to solve Alvia's murder and free the girl from the blame. This will be difficult as Dorothy was the primary beneficiary of Alvina's will. There was no evidence that the two had ever met, but this gives her a motive for killing the woman.

Dorothy is rarely present in the story, which is disappointing. I wanted to learn more about her ordeal in the asylum. There is a surprising twist along the way. Will Dorothy be freed from the asylum, and the guilty verdict be reversed?
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early electronic version of the story. The book is due to be published August 06, 2024,