February 14, 2020

We're Off to See the Wizard

Despite cold temperatures, it's been a good day. I spent some time with a friend to celebrate her birthday, which is coming up on Sunday. We did some thrift shopping (I found a pretty angel, a ceramic Pug for my dog collection, and an old Home & Garden bean pot crock that will make a cute pot for plants) and enjoyed lunch at Red Lobster since we are both seafood lovers. She had linguini alfredo with clams, I coconut shrimp, and we shared the crab/artichoke dip. YUM! 

When I got home this afternoon I spent some time delivering Valentine's Day cards and gifts to my mom and step-father and to our daughter's family...which, of course, meant I had to stay and play with Colton and Leah a little bit. After that I parked myself on the sofa and started to watch The Wizard of Oz in 3D. I'm glad I got my copy in the bargain bin. Whatever is in the foreground really pops, but it really isn't all that much of a difference.

My sudden desire to visit OZ in 3D was due to the fact that I finished reading Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts. 

From the back cover:
Hollywood, 1938: As soon as she learns that M-G-M is adapting her late husband's masterpiece for the screen, Maud Gage Baum, now in her seventies, sets about trying to finagle her way onto the set. Nineteen years after Frank's passing, Maud is the only person who can help the producers stay true to the spirit of the book...she's the only one left who knows its secrets.
I like The Wizard of Oz and have seen it many, many times, but I'm not one of those who go crazy over all things related to Judy Garland or the movie. That said, I'm not really sure what made me purchase the book, but now that I've finished reading it, I am glad that I did.

I was in Letts' grip right from the start. The book takes the known facts of Maud and Frank's lives and of the making of the movie and then fleshes out a story by padding them with very plausible fiction. The book takes the reader back and forth between the last few decades of the 19th century and 1938-39 Hollywood.
It's a sweeping tale that takes the reader from Fayetteville, NY to the dorms of the first co-ed students at Cornell to life on the road with an acting troupe to the young Dakota territory and on to Chicago. It encompasses the history of the times with a bent toward the position of women as Maud's mother was Matilda Gage, a contemporary and close friend of Susan B. Anthony. She worked right alongside Anthony for women's rights.

I give this book 5 stars, 5 thumbs up, or 5 of whatever symbol you like. I found myself so caught up in the story and now I am planning to purchase a few more books on the Baums that I've seen. Letts made me care that much.

4 comments:

  1. So glad you had a nice day and got Valentines gifts and cards delivered to your family. I enjoyed the book review. Will have to look for that book. Have a good weekend!

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  2. When I was in school, the Wizard of Oz was my favorite, favorite, favorite movie. I stayed home from parties in high school when it was on TV (twice a year, usually). When I was in 8th grade, I saw it in color for the first time and was awe-struck. Now I need to look for that book. Thanks for the review!

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  3. I think I would like that book and I'll look for it in my local library or thrifting. Sounds like you have had a good Valentines Day! I, alas, have been around hundreds of young students doing the book fair and taking lots and lots of coins and wadded up bills from their little hands. I do not regret a minute of my time with them but I am paying a price....came home Thursday afternoon and went straight to bed which is where I will probably be until Monday!

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  4. OK - with my mom being the WOZ nut that she is & us being raised with all things WOZ - I feel like I gotta get this book!!!

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