About
An Evening with Hazel Gaynor Prolific author Hazel Gaynor joins us at EPIC for our November edition of Éire to Everywhere: Stories Without Borders. Her newest novel, Before Dorothy, comes amid the huge revival in alternative storytelling surrounding one of the oldest stories around – The Wizard of Oz. Before…
An Evening with Hazel Gaynor
Prolific author Hazel Gaynor joins us at EPIC for our November edition of Éire to Everywhere: Stories Without Borders. Her newest novel, Before Dorothy, comes amid the huge revival in alternative storytelling surrounding one of the oldest stories around – The Wizard of Oz. Before Dorothy doesn’t deal with the coming-of-age stories of witches Elphaba and Glinda however, as we’re watching play out on screen with the two-part movie adaptation of Wicked; this retelling is instead from the perspective of a much smaller character – Dorothy’s Aunt Em (or Emily).
Attendees will have the chance to hear about Hazel’s personal journey as a writer, the real-life moments that inspired her work, and how her experiences have informed her narratives. The talk will culminate in a Q&A session, giving the audience the opportunity to engage directly with Hazel.
Copies of Before Dorothy will be available to purchase on the night, with a book signing following the event.
This will be a free but ticketed event.
About the Book
When news reaches Kansas that her beloved sister has tragically died, Emily Gale must do the impossible and become a mother overnight; her sister’s orphaned child, Dorothy, desperately needs a home. But Emily doubts her ability to fill her sister’s shoes; her life on the barren Kansas prairies is no place for a child. On the unforgiving plains, Emily’s courage is endlessly tested. The prolonged drought and relentless dust storms threaten to destroy everything – including her home and her marriage. Can Emily overcome her grief and let Dorothy heal her heart?
About the Author
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. Her work has been translated into 20 languages in 27 territories to date.
Hazel lives in Ireland with her family.
Endorsements:
“This Depression-era origin story peels back the intriguing layers of Auntie Em, the woman who raised Dorothy […] An important and enchanting addition to the canon of Oz.” Kristin Harmel
“Pulls Auntie Em out of a black and white background and into a full-colour world all her own.” Sarah Miller
