Was

Was blends three interconnected narratives centered around The Wizard of Oz, spanning from 1870s Kansas to 1980s California. The novel follows Dorothy Gael, a troubled child in nineteenth-century Kansas; Judy Garland during the filming of the 1939 movie; and Jonathan, an actor with AIDS who searches for Dorothy's real-life origins. Each storyline stands alone while forming part of a complex pattern linking the historical Dorothy, the fictional Dorothy, and those shaped by both versions of the tale. The structure moves between time periods and characters, gradually revealing connections that transcend chronological boundaries. Reality and fantasy interweave as the book explores childhood trauma, the creation of art, and the power of stories to both heal and harm. L. Frank Baum appears as a character whose encounter with young Dorothy Gael influences his later work, while Jonathan's quest leads him to confront both historical fact and cherished cultural myth. The novel examines how imagination and storytelling can transform suffering into meaning, while questioning the boundaries between truth and fiction. Through its layered narrative, Was contemplates the lasting impact of both documented history and invented stories on human consciousness and culture.

Readers describe Was as an emotionally intense and psychologically complex novel that weaves together multiple narratives connected to The Wizard of Oz. Readers appreciate: - The creative reimagining of Oz's real-world impacts - Strong character development, particularly Dorothy Gael's story - The skilled handling of difficult themes like trauma and AIDS - The seamless integration of historical and fictional elements Common criticisms: - The dark, depressing tone throughout - Multiple storylines can be confusing to follow - Some find the AIDS subplot disconnected from the main narrative - The slow pacing in certain sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (50+ ratings) Review quotes: "Haunting and heartbreaking" - common sentiment across multiple reviews "Not an easy read but worth the emotional investment" - Goodreads reviewer "The Dorothy sections were almost unbearable in their intensity" - Amazon reviewer

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🌟 The novel was groundbreaking in LGBTQ+ literature, being one of the first major works to address the AIDS crisis through the lens of fantasy and memory. 🌟 Dorothy Gale's character in L. Frank Baum's original book was inspired by his niece, Dorothy Louise Gage, who died in infancy in 1898. 🌟 The book won the World Fantasy Award in 1993, cementing its place as a landmark work in speculative fiction. 🌟 Ryman spent years researching Kansas history and interviewed numerous residents to accurately capture the historical details of frontier life. 🌟 Frances Gumm (Judy Garland) suffered severe emotional trauma during the filming of The Wizard of Oz, including being put on a strict diet of chicken soup and cigarettes by the studio.