Before Dorothy

Hazel Gaynor is an award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, Irish Times and internationally bestselling author known for her historical novels which explore the defining events of the 20th century. A debut author recipient of the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year award, her work has since been shortlisted for the 2019 HWA Gold Crown Award, the 2020 RNA Awards, and the Irish Book Awards in 2017, 2020 and 2023. THE BIRD IN THE BAMBOO CAGE was a bestseller in the USA and her most recent novel, THE LAST LIFEBOAT, was a Times of London historical novel of the month and a 2024 Audie winner for Best Fiction Narrator. Hazel's next novel, BEFORE DOROTHY, will be published in June 2025. Her co-written historical novels with Heather Webb have all been published to critical acclaim. Their latest collaboration, CHRISTMAS WITH THE QUEEN, will be published in November 2024. Her work has been translated into 20 languages in 27 territories to date. She lives in Ireland with her family.

‘An imaginative tour-de-force! […] Gaynor takes an ingenious idea and transforms it into a book that will enchant readers everywhere’ Natasha Lester‘Em and the Kansas prairies come alive in this utterly immersive, genuinely moving and beautifully written novel’ Catherine Ryan Howard'A story as glimmering as the Emerald City and as hopeful as Dorothy herself, Hazel Gaynor's latest is an important and enchanting addition to the canon of Oz' Kristin Harmel'What a sublime achievement! Before Dorothy is loaded with imagination…this epic novel will grip you from page one' Jennifer Ryan'Like Dorothy stepping into Oz, Hazel Gaynor’s new novel pulls Auntie Em out of a black and white background and into a full-color world all her own' Sarah Miller'A brilliant idea, superbly executed…Auntie Em and Dorothy are brought fully to life in this memorable tale of hardship and love in America’s dust bowl' Maggie Brookes'Exquisitely written […] the themes of home, family and belonging are acutely and tenderly observed […] an absolute triumph and in contention for my book of 2025!' Louise Fein'It is impossible not to become lost in this tender, heartbreaking reimagining of the story of Auntie Em…a beautiful book' Julia Kelly'I was so intrigued by the brilliant premise of Before Dorothy, and the story I found waiting blew me away…A truly wondrous tale' Jenny Ashcroft'Clever, original, and immersive' Carmel Harrington'Just wonderful – warm and immersive like all Hazel's books and with that easy-to-read quality that draws you right in' Tracy Rees'Lush, immersive, spellbinding' Kate Thompson'Hazel Gaynor does a Wicked on Auntie Em,' RTE Guide'A heartfelt work of fiction that brings to life the gritty reality of Depression-era hardships upon one family. It weaves a tale of complex family struggles, personal endurance through devastating trials, and opening of the heart to discover unexpected joys in everyday life.' Historical Novel Society