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A Hundred Magical Reasons
Description:
Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one? After all, Mrs. Charlotte Rose Gordon is eighty-eight.
This disgruntled town recluse has grown weary of fighting the dragons of her past—including the desire to clear her husband’s name of a 1918 crime.
Dragons of a different kind pursue Carrie Kruisselbrink.
In 1980, during the summer of her private rebellion, Carrie defies parental expectations and pursues her café dream. While waiting for funding, she takes a job with Mrs. Gordon.
As Mrs. Gordon unfolds the story of her oppressive childhood and delightful friendship with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, Carrie never expects to encounter her own fears and soul-searching.
In this modern-day fairy tale that weaves between 1980 and the early 1900s, Mr. Baum’s influence impacts each woman’s personal quests on a hero’s journey neither anticipates. Can Carrie and Mrs. Gordon find common ground in battling their respective dragons?
Book Takeaway:
The value of imagination with courage to face fears and pursue dreams. The importance of taking risks, being yourself, and finding your true home.
Why the author wrote this book:
After reading a biography of L. Frank Baum, I was smitten. Baum was a larger-than-life guy with an unstoppable imagination. He was also a family man with a keen understanding of children and a high regard for women. (His mother-in-law was a suffragist!) His humor and creativity gave him the capacity to bounce back from failure many times.
From 1898 to 1910, Baum, his wife Maud, and their 4 sons spent summers at Macatawa Resort near Holland, Michigan. This happens to be the same lake where my family vacations annually. Learning that sparked additional interest in his life
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