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Finding Dorothy A Novel Elizabeth Letts Books

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Finding Dorothy A Novel Elizabeth Letts Books

I have given this book a 5, really the story should have been Finding Maude, I loved the story when the author was telling Maude's story, for me it lacked info on the Judy Garland story. There were little tidbits, and yes she did try & watch over Judy, but it was Maude's story that was the best part of the book. I know one reviewer said she didn't like Maude, I found her quite interesting. I didn't know anything about Maude Baum, until this book. I didn't know her Mother was one of the woman's advocates, I know of Susan B Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Its too bad Matilda Gage's story got lost over time, with this book it brings her story to the fore front. It was interesting the author's take on the symbolisms of the Wizard of Oa, I agreed with a lot of it, gives a whole new meaning to the movie. I am so glad the song Over the Rainbow wasn't taken out of the movie, another lost tidbit, how Maude fought to keep the song in. Frank was such a dreamer, in most marriages, the wife would have left. He had such a vision, and there were times that Maude got frustrated with him, but they both complimented each other in their marriage.


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Finding Dorothy A Novel Elizabeth Letts Books Reviews

Thoroughly charming, historically fascinating, and abundantly heartfelt addition to the copious arena of both Baum and Oz works gaining a well-earned distinction by being told from the viewpoint of L. Frank's widow Maud

The "inside" view of the making of the classic 1939 film would be enough on its own to be a must-read; and the stories behind the creation of the books and characters are equally so

To be sure, whether through plan or simple coincidence, the spirit of "Saving Mr Banks" does tend to haver over the proceedings, but Ms Letts work stands firmly and proudly on it's own
This is a lovely historical novel about the efforts of Maud Baum, the widow of Wizard of Oz author Frank Baum, to influence the production of the smash hit classic movie by that name, with a 15-year-old Judy Garland playing Dorothy.

Of course some of the dialogue is clearly fictionalized, as it could not possibly have all been recorded as it is in this novel.

But readers learn about the young life of Maud Gage, her meeting of Frank Baum through a college friend, their life together, and of course, her influence on the movie, for which she fought as hard as her mother had fought for women's suffrage.

It is not the best historical novel that I have ever read, but it is pretty darn good and everyone who loves the original Frank Baum novel about the wonderful wizard, or the movie with Judy Garland, will love the book.

Highly recommended
If you’re like me and fascinated with the story behind the story of The Wizard of Oz you’ll surely find this book fascinating. It’s about the widow of Frank Baum, Maud. She started life as a feisty tomboy, daughter of a suffragette and remained feisty her whole life. The book starts with Maud’s pleas to MGM studios to allow her to help keep her husband’s vision of the story going unheeded. In her suffragette mind set she sets up an appointment with Louis B Mayer and confronts him personally.

The book then reverses chronology and tells the wonderful story of her childhood, her entrance into Cornell and her meeting her future husband Frank through a college friend. At the time Frank was an actor and not much of a breadwinner. The couple has four sons and as the tale unfolds it tells of their life as Frank pursues a writing career. You will see portions of Baum’s famous tale as the story unfolds in their real life.

The real reason for reading this book, though, is the insight the author shares about the actual filming of the movie. It describes how Maud tried to protect Judy Garland from her overbearing stage mother. It describes how Garland was given speed to keep her weight in check. Was Maud really that involved with the filming? I don’t know but it makes a good story. We do know that she was influential in keeping the song “Somewhere over the Rainbow” in the film by persuading LB Mayer personally after it was to be cut. She did attend the premier. The rest may be true or it may be darn good fiction.
I will probably be alone on this rating because it's a perfectly sweet and interesting story. It tells the tale of Maud Gage Baum, the wife of author of "The Wizard of Oz", L. Frank Baum. It alternates between her life growing up, marrying, having kids, etc. and the filming of the movie based on her husband's book when she is 78. She was the daughter of a famed suffragette who called Susan B. Anthony, Auntie. She attended college before marrying Baum, a struggling theater company owner and actor.

As his famed book is being made into a movie in 1939 by Louis B. Mayer, she takes it upon herself to go to the set to offer advice and background information. She meets Judy Garland and several movie executives who must have been Harvey Weinstein's role models. 80 years later and life hasn't changed much for female actresses, still being starved and subject to sexual harassment. The back story to the book is interesting but I am not certain how much is factual although the author has done a great deal of research.

So my problem? I didn't like Maud. I never warmed up to her. I didn't like the opportunities she had that she carelessly didn't pursue. I didn't like the promises she made to people and didn't keep. I didn't like how little she encouraged her husband. I didn't like her rigidity. She just wasn't someone I liked spending time with. So the book was a struggle for me. The story was interesting. The main character wasn't.
I have given this book a 5, really the story should have been Finding Maude, I loved the story when the author was telling Maude's story, for me it lacked info on the Judy Garland story. There were little tidbits, and yes she did try & watch over Judy, but it was Maude's story that was the best part of the book. I know one reviewer said she didn't like Maude, I found her quite interesting. I didn't know anything about Maude Baum, until this book. I didn't know her Mother was one of the woman's advocates, I know of Susan B Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Its too bad Matilda Gage's story got lost over time, with this book it brings her story to the fore front. It was interesting the author's take on the symbolisms of the Wizard of Oa, I agreed with a lot of it, gives a whole new meaning to the movie. I am so glad the song Over the Rainbow wasn't taken out of the movie, another lost tidbit, how Maude fought to keep the song in. Frank was such a dreamer, in most marriages, the wife would have left. He had such a vision, and there were times that Maude got frustrated with him, but they both complimented each other in their marriage.