kids encyclopedia robot

Was (novel) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Was
Was-novel.jpg
First edition
Author Geoff Ryman
Cover artist Thomi Wroblewski
Country UK
Language English
Publisher Harper Collins
Publication date
01 May 1992
Media type Print (hardback & paperback)
Pages 352 pp (hardcover edition) & 368 pp (paperback edition)
ISBN 978-0-00-223931-8 (hardcover edition)
OCLC 26301503

Was (or Was... in the UK edition) is a WFA nominated 1992 novel by Canadian author Geoff Ryman, focusing on themes of L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and the 1939 musical film version, ranging across time and space from 1860s Kansas to late 1980s California.

Was is an adult parallel to the magical Land of Oz that never existed as a real place. The novel explores the tragic but very moving life of "Dorothy Gael" in 1800s Kansas, whose traumatic experiences with Aunt Emily and Uncle Henry after her mother's death leads her to create an imaginary and idealized world in her mind based on some of her real-life experiences as a way of coping with her bleak reality.

The book goes into depth about the importance of a healthy, stable childhood, and explores the life of Judy Garland as she plays Dorothy Gale in the 1939 movie. The novel tells the stories of the characters and how they are connected to one another without realizing it.

Plot summary

The novel is separated into three parts, "Winter Kitchen", "Summer Kitchen", and "Oz Circle". The primary focus is on Jonathan, a gay actor with AIDS who goes on a pilgrimage of sorts to Manhattan, Kansas, and on the "real" (in the novel) Dorothy.

Other characters include Baum, who makes an appearance as a substitute teacher in Kansas. Millie, a makeup girl on the set of the original film version film narrates an encounter with Judy Garland.

Awards and nominations

  • Finalist for the World Fantasy Award, 1993
  • Shortlisted for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, 1993
  • Inducted into the Gaylactic Spectrum Awards Hall of Fame, 2002

Musical adaptation

A musical production of the book, sponsored by the American Musical Theatre Project, premiered at the Ethel M. Barber Theatre at Northwestern University in October 2005. It was directed by Tina Landau, with libretto and lyrics by Barry Kleinbort, and music by Joseph Thalken. An earlier version of the musical appeared at the Human Race Theatre in Dayton, Ohio.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Was (novela) para niños

kids search engine
Was (novel) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.