Love, Life, & Beyond

People who claim that they’re evil are usually no worse than the rest of us… It’s people who claim that they’re good, or any way better than the rest of us, that you have to be wary of.

-Wicked, Gregory Maguire

I remember reading the Wizard of Oz as a kid. There’s something timeless about the magical world of Oz. I watched the Judy Garland movie years later and some of the other versions of it over the years. This enchanting universe continues to capture our imagination. From L. Frank Baum’s classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to Gregory Maguire’s darkly reimagined Wicked and its spectacular Broadway and movie adaptations, Oz has evolved into a cultural phenomenon that spans generations. 

I had never heard of the Wicked book series and had heard of the Broadway show only in passing. But with the recent movie release, I saw that the book was available for free on Audible, so I grabbed it immediately. I also wanted to revisit the original book on my reading journey to find new meaning in classic books. 

In this post, read my book review of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the novel that started it all, alongside a book and movie review of Wicked written by Gregory Maguire and adapted for the big screen based on the Broadway show. 

Even though both the books are the first of a series of books, I chose to not read the whole set. I felt that each book was complete on its own. And, honestly, Ain’t nobody got time for that!

Baum’s whimsical storytelling is a good springboard for Maguire’s complex exploration of morality and power. Whether you’re a fan of classic literature, modern fantasy, or musical magic, read on for your ultimate guide to Oz.

Evil is an act, not an appetite. How many haven’t wanted to slash the throat of some boor across the dining room table? Present company excepted of course. Everyone has the appetite. If you give in to it, it, that act is evil. The appetite is normal.

-Wicked, Gregory Maguire

Author L. Frank Baum

Lyman Frank Baum (1856–1919) was an American author best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. He started writing at an early age. His father bought him a cheap printing press; which, with the help of his younger brother, he used to produce The Rose Lawn Home Journal. Baum had German, Scots-Irish and English ancestry and was the seventh of nine children born to Cynthia and Benjamin Baum. Benjamin Baum was a wealthy businessman who had made his fortune in the oil fields of Pennsylvania. Baum grew up on his parents’ expansive estate, Rose Lawn. His Oz series, spanning 14 books, introduced readers to a magical world filled with memorable characters and imaginative landscapes. Baum’s work continues to inspire adaptations in film, theater, and literature, solidifying his legacy as a pioneer in children’s fantasy fiction.

All you need is confidence in yourself. There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.

-L. Frank Baum

Author Gregory Maguire

Gregory Maguire (1954) is an American author best known for reimagining classic stories with a dark, thought-provoking twist. Maguire earned a Ph.D. in English and American Literature from Tufts University and has worked extensively as an educator and literary scholar. He gained international fame with his 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which offers a complex, humanising backstory to the Wicked Witch from L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The novel spawned a wildly successful Broadway musical adaptation, cementing its place in pop culture.

Maguire has authored numerous other works, including Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister and Mirror Mirror, which similarly explore the untold perspectives of well-known fairy tale characters. Maguire’s stories often grapple with themes of morality, identity, and the nature of good and evil. He resides in Massachusetts with his husband, painter Andy Newman, and their three adopted children.

Where I’m from, we believe in all sorts of things that aren’t true… we call it history.

-Wicked, Gregory Maguire

Book Review: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic that takes readers on an unforgettable journey to the magical land of Oz. The story follows Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas, who is swept away by a cyclone to a fantastical world filled with talking animals, witches, and magical creatures.

Accompanied by her dog Toto, Dorothy meets memorable characters along the way, including the Scarecrow, who wishes for a brain, the Tin Woodman, who desires a heart, and the Cowardly Lion, who dreams of courage. Together, they embark on a quest to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz, who they believe can grant their wishes.

This book is not only a thrilling adventure but also teaches valuable lessons about friendship, bravery, and self-discovery. The colorful descriptions of Oz and its inhabitants spark the imagination, while the characters’ growth throughout the story inspires readers to believe in their own inner strengths.

Perfect for readers of all ages, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz remains one of the most beloved children’s books of all time. Its themes of kindness, perseverance, and the importance of home make it a must-read.

Book Review—Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

There may be no city in the clouds, but dreaming of it can enliven the spirit.

-Wicked, Gregory Maguire

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West is a reimagining of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It explores themes of morality, power, and identity. Wicked is the first book in a series of four, each doing a deep dive on one of the characters. A new book was released this year (almost 30 years after Wicked) detailing Elphaba’s childhood years, called Elphie.

This is NOT a book for younger audiences as it is filled with sexual innuendos and references. This layered novel looks at the Wicked Witch we thought we knew, turning her from a one-dimensional villain into a deeply complex, misunderstood antihero named Elphaba. Through her story, we learn about other characters and the political situation in the land where the Wizard of Oz has declared himself the emperor.

Maguire’s Oz is dark, filled with political corruption, social inequality, and religious tensions—far from the whimsical world depicted in L. Frank Baum’s original.

Against this backdrop, we get to know Elphaba’s story, from her tumultuous childhood, her time at Shiz University, to her eventual transformation into the infamous Wicked Witch of the West.

Elphaba is intelligent, fiercely principled, and painfully human. Her green skin sets her apart as an outsider from birth, and Maguire uses her otherness as a lens to explore issues of prejudice, power, and what it means to be good or evil. 

The supporting characters are equally compelling. Galinda with her bubbly exterior that masks a more complex inner world, Fiyero adds tragedy to the story, while Madame Morrible and the Wizard represent the oppressive forces that shape Elphaba’s destiny.

I listened to the audio book on my evening walks, but if I were to read it, I imagine it would be too dense. There are many philosophical diversions, political intricacies, and long-winded story-telling that can get tedious at times. 

I loved the complex characters and rich world-building. It’s not a light read, but it’s an unforgettable one, offering a new perspective on a classic tale that will linger with you long after the final page.

There was much to hate in this world and too much to love.

-Wicked, Gregory Maguire

Wicked Movie Review

The best way to bring folks together is to give them a real good enemy.

The 2-part movie (Wicked and Wicked: For Good) is based on the Broadway show, which in turn is based on the book by Gregory Maguire. The movie focuses on Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship and how they are divided by conflicting opinions on the Wizard of Oz. 

I watched the movie after I had read the book. Many character and story arcs have been altered to make it more appealing for the screen, which is a bit disappointing. For instance, I wish they had preserved the unique visual distinctions between characters—Fiyero, for example, was meant to have dark skin and striking tribal markings. Additionally, the way relationships develop in the adaptation deviates significantly from the book, losing some of the depth and complexity.

That said, the production is visually stunning, with breathtaking scenes and captivating performances. The story and songs are beautifully crafted, holding your interest throughout. Despite its departures from the source material, it remains highly entertaining and a feast for the senses.

Something is very wrong, I didn’t get my way… I need to lay down. -Glinda

The actors bring fresh life to these iconic roles. Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo) is portrayed with raw emotion and complexity. Glinda’s (played by Ariana Grande) evolution from a self-absorbed socialite to an empathetic figure is also well done. Their friendship is the emotional core of the story, and the chemistry between the leads shines throughout.

Being a musical, the music has to be top-notch, and it delivers on that front. My favourite song is the soaring anthem Defying Gravity, performed brilliantly by the actors. 

For fans of musicals and fantasy tales, Wicked delivers a heartfelt and visually stunning experience, and is a good watch on the big screen.

The truth isn’t a thing of fact or reason. It is simply what everyone agrees on.

-Wicked, Gregory Maguire

Verdict: Watch and Read

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