The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra
4 Stars
The Book At A Glance
After a scandal ends her graduate studies in Kansas, Dorothy “Dee” Gale escapes to Ireland to join a writing program at Trinity College Dublin. There, new friends and mentors help her rebuild her confidence, confront her past, and realize that home and strength come from within.
Bookish Thoughts
I’ve always loved The Wizard of Oz—it was a childhood favorite for my mom and me, so I’m constantly on the lookout for creative retellings. This novel absolutely delivered. With its Wizard of Oz–inspired cover and clever modern-day twist, it captured the heart of the original story while adding fresh layers of romance and self-discovery. Perfect for fans who enjoy contemporary spins on classic tales, a touch of love-triangle drama, and a heroine finding the courage and strength within herself.
Book Review
The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale follows Dorothy “Dee” Gale as she runs away from a scandal in Kansas to start anew in Ireland. While pursuing her degree at Trinity College Dublin, Dee meets new friends and a love interest who help her discover herself and her passions.
I absolutely loved all of the characters in this novel. Dee grows from a timid, uncertain young woman into someone confident and self-assured, and it was incredibly satisfying to see her stand up to her ex-boyfriend professor in the final scenes. Her best friend and roommate, Reeti, was a joy to read—her journey to embrace her true passion was inspiring. I also felt for Sam, torn between family duty and his own dreams, and I absolutely adored Tim—I rooted for him the entire time and thought he was so sweet and deserving of happiness.
Although the novel features a slight love triangle, it was perfectly handled and didn’t distract from the story; I was rooting for Dee and Tim to be together the whole time. I also appreciated the strong theme of reclaiming what’s yours, seen through Dee’s family, her mentors, her writing group, and her friends.
The novel beautifully weaves elements of the classic Wizard of Oz, from character personalities to references like the good and bad witches, into a modern, fresh story. Overall, I adored this novel. If you’re a fan of The Wizard of Oz, I highly recommend giving it a read.
“It was not the certain happy ending I’d dreamed of. It was something better–a beginning , the start of an adventure into the magical unknown. “
Virginia Kantra
Shelf To Table
The perfect food pairing for this novel is Banana Bread Muffins. Warm, golden-brown banana bread muffins, soft and tender on the inside with a slightly crisp top. Bursting with the sweet, comforting flavor of ripe bananas and a hint of vanilla, these muffins are cozy, homey, and perfect for snacking while following Dorothy—or Dee—on her journey. Sprinkle a few chocolate chips or chopped walnuts on top for extra richness and texture.
Banana Bread Muffins
Warm, golden-brown banana bread muffins, soft and tender on the inside with a slightly crisp top. Bursting with the sweet, comforting flavor of ripe bananas and a hint of vanilla
Book Club Bite
Miniature desserts like lemon bars and cherry cheesecake bites make the perfect book club treats, offering sweet, easy-to-share indulgence. Themed nods to the story—yellow Brick Road–inspired lemon bars and ruby Red Slippers cupcakes—add a playful, whimsical touch that ties directly to the Wizard of Oz elements in the novel.
“Over the course of her year in Dublin, Sam finds wisdom, Tim finds his heart and Reeti finds her courage. And Dee rewrites her unfinished historical literary novel set in the dustbowl of Kansas, reimagining it as a story for children.”
Virginia Kantra