48 pages • 1 hour read
Finding Dorothy
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Book Brief
365
Novel • Fiction
Hollywood, California • 1930s
2019
Ballantine Books
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts is a dual timeline novel following Maud Gage Baum, wife of L. Frank Baum. In the 1800s timeline, Maud pursues education at Cornell, navigates societal challenges, marries Frank, and faces hardships before he publishes The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In the 1939 timeline, Maud is on the set of the movie adaptation, striving to preserve Frank's legacy and protect Judy Garland, ultimately learning that people matter more than story accuracy.
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Heartwarming
Mysterious
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
34,932 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts receives praise for its compelling blend of historical fiction and behind-the-scenes look at the creation of The Wizard of Oz. Readers appreciate the strong character portrayal of Maud Gage Baum. Some critiques focus on pacing issues and an overabundance of historical detail. Overall, it offers an engaging and insightful narrative.
Who Should Read Finding Dorothy?
A reader who enjoys Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts likely has a passion for historical fiction and a love for classic cinema, particularly The Wizard of Oz. Fans of The Paris Wife by Paula McLain and Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler will appreciate the blend of fact and fiction, as well as the strong female perspective.
34,932 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Frank Baum
Frank Baum
Maud's husband and the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, known for his creative passion and as a dream-chaser whose outlook contrasts with Maud's practical nature.
Matilda Gage
Matilda Gage
Maud's mother, a prominent activist for women's suffrage, whose ideals cast a long shadow over her daughters, influencing Maud's internal struggles.
Judy Garland
Judy Garland
The actress portraying Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, whose youthful spirit and sense of wonder inspire Maud to reconnect with the magical aspects valued by Frank.
Louis Mayer
Louis Mayer
The head of MGM Studios overseeing The Wizard of Oz production who focuses on the studio's financial success, occasionally clashing with Maud over the integrity of the film's narrative.
The author Elizabeth Letts was inspired to write Finding Dorothy after learning about the friendship between Maud Gage Baum and Judy Garland on the set of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.
Finding Dorothy interweaves historical facts with fiction, exploring the real-life marriage of L. Frank Baum and Maud Gage Baum and their ties to women's suffrage in early 20th century America.
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An interesting fact about Elizabeth Letts is that she is also a former certified nurse-midwife, and her experience in the medical field adds depth to her character portrayals and storytelling.
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365
Novel • Fiction
Hollywood, California • 1930s
2019
Ballantine Books
Adult
18+ years
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