The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale - by Virginia Kantra (Paperback)

About the Book

"After her mother's death, Dee and her sister Toni settled with Uncle Henry and Aunt Em in Kansas, and Dee attended the University of Kansas. But after falling in love with and subsequently being humiliated by an adjunct faculty member and novelist, Dee is unable to face him--and the rest of the school--and applies to the writing program at Trinity College Dublin. At Trinity, Dee finds solace in a new group of friends: Sam Clery, who dropped out of college and now runs a newsagents ('No brains,' his sister says); .... Tim Woodman, who refused to take back his ex-fiancâee ('You have no heart,' she accuses); ... and Reeti Kaur, who is kindhearted but too afraid to tell her parents she wants to teach underprivileged girls rather than obtain her MBA and work in the family business ('I basically have no courage,' she says). Throughout the semesters, the friends grow closer and encounter new opportunities, love, and heartbreak"

Book Synopsis

A woman learns to follow her own road in this heartwarming novel inspired by The Wizard of Oz by New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra.

Dorothy "Dee" Gale is searching for a place to belong. After their globe-trotting mother's death, Dee and her sister Toni settled with Uncle Henry and Aunt Em in Kansas, where Dee attends graduate school. But when Dee's relationship with a faculty member, a bestselling novelist, ends in heartbreak and humiliation, she's caught in a tornado of negative publicity. Unable to face her colleagues--or her former lover--Dee applies to the writing program at Trinity College Dublin.

Dee's journey to Ireland leads her to new companions: seemingly brainless Sam Clery--who dropped out of college and now runs a newsagent's shop--is charming and hot, in a dissolute, Irish poet kind of way; allegedly heartless Tim Woodman--who stiffly refused to take back his ex-fiancée--seems stuck in his past; and fiercely loyal Reeti Kaur, who longs for the courage to tell her parents she wants to teach underprivileged girls rather than work in the family business.

In a year of opportunities and changes, love and loss, Dee is mentored by powerful women in the writing program, challenging her to see herself and her work with new eyes. With her friends, Dee finds the confidence to confront her biggest fears--including her intimidating graduate advisor, who may not be so wicked after all.

Faced with a choice with far-reaching consequences, Dee must apply the lessons she's learned along the way about making a family, finding a home...and recognizing the power that's been inside her all along.

Review Quotes

"This might be my favorite Virginia Kantra book! Perfectly emotionally pitched and delicately fierce, I don't know how Kantra manages to capture the 'looking for home inside yourself' spirit of Wizard of Oz in such a contemporary way, but she does. I loved it!"--Sonali Dev, USA Today bestselling author of The Vibrant Years

"In this vivid reimagining of Dorothy's journey to the Emerald City, Kantra serves up a fresh, empowering tale of a young American in Dublin--out of her comfort zone and off on a quest to rebuild her life after a tornado of humiliation and heartbreak. The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale is a poignant novel about recovery from the deepest wounds, the true meaning of home, and the delicious satisfaction of regaining control of one's own story."--Amy Poeppel, award-winning author of The Sweet Spot

"Virginia Kantra excels at bringing fresh life to American classic heroines. Fans of Dorothy and her journey will adore the new Dee!"--New York Times bestselling author KJ Dell'Antonia

"Virginia Kantra takes on another beloved classic, bringing The Wizard of Oz into modern times and putting her own charming twist on it. Dee is a delightful heroine, and it's immensely satisfying to watch her make friends and rebuild her life after public humiliation destroyed her. The Dublin setting and the swoony-yet-surprising love story are the icing on the cake of this lovely homage to a classic."--Kerry Winfrey, author of Faking Christmas

"Both deliciously escapist and emotionally honest, this book is a rare gem. Kantra is a deft, wise writer at the top of her game."--Barbara O'Neal, author of The Starfish Sisters

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra is the author of almost thirty novels. She is married to her college sweetheart, a coffee shop owner who keeps her well supplied with caffeine and material. They make their home in North Carolina, where they raised three (mostly adult) children. She is a firm believer in the strength of family, the importance of storytelling, and the power of love.