An alternative telling of Dorothy's story after her trip to Oz, this book will be perfect for those who love alternative histories or the Wizard of Oz. Dark and brooding, the book is a great dive into the time period, as well as Dorothy's story.

The audiobook version of **After Oz** offers a fresh and engaging experience. The narrator's performance is excellent, bringing the characters to life with distinct voices and emotions. The story is a unique take on the classic Oz tale, filled with intriguing plot twists and new perspectives. The pacing is well-managed, maintaining a good balance between action and quieter moments. While some aspects of the plot may feel familiar, the creative approach and strong narration make it an enjoyable listen. The production quality is top-notch, adding to the overall immersive experience. A solid 4/5 stars for its inventive storytelling and compelling narration.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for making this audiobook available to me. I enjoyed a completely different view and idea of what happens to young Dorothy after the tornado. The book was interesting and suspenseful and the end left me thinking about the story long after I had finished reading it.

This is a great “sequel” of sorts that continues to tell the story of what happens to Dorothy Gale after she returns from Oz.
I really liked how the author dealt with the subject and her strong character.

This was a very interesting take on the Wizard of Oz and I liked it. It was rage-inducing with how they were treating her but at least she had someone in her corner trying to help her! This was my 1st book by Gordon McAlpine but will not be my last!

#AfterOz
#NetGalley

Thank you for thr ARC! This one failed to capture my interest unfortunately. I will perhaps pick it back up another time to complete it

Great narrator who did an excellent job with the material.



I thought this was a clever idea and it started really strong. Then, for me at least, it fizzled out. Part of the issue is that Dorothy is the most interesting character – and a great job was done with her – but we spend very little time with her. No one else is that interesting and this small town small minds style mystery loses steam fast. It would have been better to tell the story independent of L Frank Baum’s classic since at least then the reader wouldn’t have been distracted by all the charm and magic being leached out of that story. One narrator was unlikeable and boring – bad combo. The other narrator was more engaging but had little to engage about. Over all this just didn’t land for me.

Kansas, 1896. After a tornado, eleven-year-old Dorothy goes missing. Four days later, she returns unharmed, and describes a fantastical land and its magical inhabitants: a scarecrow, a tin man, a cowardly lion, a wizard, a witch in vivid details. When a body is found matching Dorothy's description of a witch she claims to have killed, authorities sentence Dorothy to the Topeka Insane Asylum. Twenty-eight-year-old psychologist Dr. Evelyn Grace Wilford arrives at the asylum to interview Dorothy and find out the truth.

I can see why this book might not be for everyone, especially for readers expecting the same whimsical adventurous fantasy as The Wizard of Oz. I came in prepared, and ended up really enjoying this slow-paced psychological suspense which analysed the mystery of Dorothy’s temporary disappearance during a storm in Kansas.

I must say the audiobook narration was really enjoyable. The voice and intonation were easy to listen to, and definitely helped me finishing the book in no time.

Given my obsession with The Wizard of Oz, I knew "After Oz", was just meant for me.

I wasn't wrong.

If you are a fan of the yellow brick road, try taking a walk on the dark side in, "After Oz" . I chose the audio over a physical book as I was looking to have a "story being told" type of experience with excited narration.

I got all of that and more.

This is a twisted and dark spin on a classic but done with such execution you will be equally as impressed. I would highly recommend After Oz.

Check out this teaser :

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.

After Oz by Gordon McAlpine is a refreshing and inventive twist on the beloved world of Oz. The novel seamlessly blends elements of mystery, adventure, and psychological intrigue, creating a compelling thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. McAlpine's prose is sharp and engaging, drawing readers into a dark yet fascinating post-Oz universe. The characters are well-developed, and the plot moves at a perfect pace, filled with surprising twists that leave you guessing until the very end. A must-read for fans of both classic fantasy and contemporary thrillers!

A unique take on the Wizard of Oz story that we all know and love. Dorothy returns to Kansas only to be accused of a murder and being insane. A young doctor must prove her innocent while facing her own demons from the past. I loved this interpretation. The writing was good and the story captivating. The narrator did an excellent job and the narration was well-paced and easy to listen to. A good fit for book clubs.

AFTER OZ review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

🌪️I definitely judged AFTER OZ by its cover and requested it on NetGalley simply based on the cover. The story inside didn’t disappoint either. 😌

🌪️Here’s a summary of the plot:👇
After a tragic tornado sweeps through Kansas, a young girl named Dorothy is missing. She’s found days later with crazy stories about a magical land called Oz. Her delusions, coupled with her admittance to killing a “witch” land her in an asylum. When the body of a local woman is found, Dorothy is the main suspect. But did she actually go to this fantastical land? Or did she commit this horrific crime?

🌪️This novel was such a unique take on The Wizard of Oz. I was invested in the story immediately and flewwww through the audiobook. I loved how the story wrapped up. I really liked this author’s writing style and was saddened to learn from the note at the end that this was his final novel before his passing. I will definitely check out his backlist!

🌪️If you want a quick, unique retelling I’d 100% recommend this one! Thanks to @dreamscape_media for my digital copy!

This book was a bit hard for me to get into. But I did end up liking it once I finished. It was a fun take of the wizard of oz trope and kept me guessing. I didn’t love the audio narration. I think I would have enjoyed it more in print.

I've been a diehard Oz fan since I was a kid back in the 90s. I've read all the original books, some of the other spin offs, the entire Wicked series, etc. Plus, I love a good retelling of a classic tale. I went into this book with probably higher-than-average hopes. Even though murder mystery type of books are not usually what I gravitate to, integrating it with the Oz universe so many of us know an love was an interesting premise. I was surprised at how little Dorothy was actually in this, though. I found that aspect a little disappointing. Overall it was a fun read with decent narration, and I'm grateful I was given a chance to listen to this advanced copy of the audiobook.

Definitely a different concept for a book, looking at what happened when Dorothy got home from Oz and the town that she lived in. The book starts with the tornado and that Dorothy is missing once it’s passed. They find her several days later and that’s when things take a bit of a turn. No one believes her story of what happened to her and then they find one of the townspeople dead and her face has been melted off. Dorothy is blamed and sent to an Asylum. A doctor gets involved and decides to solve the murder that she doesn’t believe Dorothy committed.

I liked the idea of this and the mystery surrounding her disappearance and return. The ending felt a little rushed to me and kind of lost me a bit. However I still enjoyed the book.

Both frustrating and deeply satisfying, a look into a dark time in history and into the hearts of a small town. A story in which nothing is as it seems and only one person is telling the whole truth, maybe.

I really loved the inventive extension of the classic tale and the deep character development in even such a large cast. So many wonderful choices made here. You’ll fall in love with Dorothy all over and question everything about how you believe stories from now on.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

“After Oz” by Gordon McAlpine is a compelling reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” set against the stark backdrop of late 19th-century Midwest America. This novel is not merely a retelling but an exploration of the societal prejudices that were prevalent during that era. Through the eyes of its young protagonist, Dorothy Gale, and the analytical perspective of Dr. Evelyn Grace Wilford, McAlpine weaves a narrative that is both whimsical and deeply thought-provoking.

The story begins with a familiar premise—a tornado ravages Kansas in 1896, leaving the Gale family farm in ruins and their daughter, Dorothy, missing. The community’s relief at her safe return is short-lived as Dorothy recounts her journey to a fantastical land filled with magical beings. Her tale, however, is met with skepticism and fear, leading to her confinement in the Topeka Insane Asylum under the accusation of being involved in the death of a local woman.

McAlpine’s choice to present the story through letters and the musings of a mystery narrator from the town adds layers of intrigue and depth to the narrative. This format effectively captures the reader’s attention, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy. However, one cannot help but wish for more direct insights from Dorothy herself. Her voice, though central to the plot, seems somewhat overshadowed by the other characters’ perspectives.
The enigma surrounding the identity of the town’s narrator serves as a tantalizing thread throughout the book, keeping readers guessing and engaged. While the revelation of this character’s identity would have provided a satisfying resolution, its omission also invites readers to draw their own conclusions and perhaps reflects on the nature of storytelling itself—where not all threads are neatly tied.

“After Oz” excels in its portrayal of small-town life, capturing the intricacies of community dynamics and the insidious nature of prejudice. McAlpine does not shy away from depicting the harsh realities faced by those who dare to challenge societal norms. The novel’s setting acts as a microcosm for the broader issues of the time, making it relevant to contemporary discussions about acceptance and diversity.

The narration is another strong point of the book, with McAlpine’s prose striking a balance between descriptive imagery and concise storytelling. The pacing is well-managed, ensuring that the mystery unfolds steadily, keeping readers invested in the outcome.

In conclusion, “After Oz” is a novel that succeeds in rekindling the magic of a beloved story while simultaneously challenging its readers to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature and society. It is a testament to the power of narrative to both enchant and enlighten. Though there are elements that leave us yearning for more, the overall experience of reading “After Oz” is undeniably enriching and leaves a lasting impression.

After Oz was a thrilling read. I liked the character exploration and the writing was propulsive. I would read more from this author.

After Oz takes a look at how Dorothy might actually fare in the real world after her experience in Oz. It sounded like an intriguing concept, but it ended up feeling a bit like taking the magic out of The Wizard of Oz. And for me, that fell a bit flat in the end. It may just be me- but when it comes to Oz, I prefer the magic- or even the darker magic of Return to Oz. After Oz is still a well-written thought experiment, just perhaps not for me.

Maria Ru-Djen did a good job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Gordon McAlpine, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I had a bit of a rough go with this one. The blurb sounded promising. The cover was phenomenal. Just the whole premise sounded amazing. I was a bit disappointed with the actual storyline. The narrator was fine. It was the book itself that I struggled a bit with. Dorothy, first off, did not sound her age. And I get that she was supposed to be very mature for her age. But she almost seemed psychic. The doctor could say a very simple phrase and the amount of inferring that Dorothy did from that one phrase was way past her age in maturity. Which left it difficult for her character to grow. In general, it was so depressing.

Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me. Just my taste and preference. A 3 star for me indicates that it was still enjoyable in parts, but there wasn't enough Wow moments for me. I liked it, but I was short of loving it.