Wicked: The Novel

First and foremost, this is not a children’s book. Profanity notwithstanding, there’s a lot that young readers may not understand or may find scary. Even reading it as an adult, it’s terrifying at times. Terrifying, and eerily familiar. At the same time, it’s amazing. There’s so much detail and depth that the play doesn’t even touch. To be fair, there’s only so much a playwright can fit into two hours (give or take), but it’s a loss all the same.

The characters’ names might not change across iterations of Wicked, but their personalities are definitely different. Book Elphaba is strong, sassy, and funny. She has some of the best dialogue.

Book Fiyero isn’t the party boy who thinks school doesn’t matter (although “Dancing Through Life” has deeper meaning — but that could be its own review and analysis). He’s quiet and shy, and he just happens to be a tribal prince from the Vinkus region of Oz.

On that note, can we take a break from characters and talk about world building for a second? Thanks! This isn’t just a story that takes place in Munchkinland. Shiz University is actually located in Gillikin, and Galinda (later Glinda) will be the first one to tell you that she is descended from the Arduennas of the Uplands. Fiyero is a prince of the Arjiki tribe, a nomadic people who, as mentioned earlier, live in the Vinkus. The Vinkus region is in the West of Oz, and hardly governed – if at all – by the Wizard or anyone else. As for Elphaba, she hails from the Nest Hardings region of Munchkinland, and her great grandfather or something is the Eminent Thropp.

There’s way more to it than that – it could probably take up the rest of this review, but that wouldn’t be any fun. However, all that to say that each state/region of Oz has its own customs and culture.

There’s one more character who’s just begging to be discussed. Or, really, two characters, as they were basically in cahoots with each other: Madame Morrible and the Wizard. Madame Morrible was the headmistress of Crage Hall when Elphaba and friends were at Shiz University. Behind her back, they called her “Madame Horrible”, and the moniker is definitely accurate.

She’s essentially Delores Umbridge from Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix on steroids. The right hand woman of the Wizard of Oz, loyal to him and his agenda to her last day. And, long story short and free of spoilers, the Wizard’s agenda is horrible – reminiscent of WWII sentiments.

Setting the political similarities aside, this is an excellent book. Gregory Maguire is a really good writer, definitely someone whose other books are worth checking out.