--- product_id: 50117323 title: "Wicked: the bestselling book that inspired the movie: 1" price: "VT11984" currency: VUV in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/50117323-wicked-the-bestselling-book-that-inspired-the-movie-1 store_origin: VU region: Vanuatu --- # 4.2/5 star average rating Inspired the hit movie & musical Bestselling novel with 11,376 reviews Wicked: the bestselling book that inspired the movie: 1 **Price:** VT11984 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Unlock the magic behind the movie—read Wicked before everyone else does! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Wicked: the bestselling book that inspired the movie: 1 - **How much does it cost?** VT11984 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/50117323-wicked-the-bestselling-book-that-inspired-the-movie-1) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Reimagine a Classic:** Dive into the untold story behind the Wizard of Oz, flipping the narrative like never before. - • **Critically Acclaimed:** Join over 11,000 readers who rated it 4.2 stars—proof it’s a must-read for discerning book lovers. - • **Cinematic Inspiration:** Experience the original tale that sparked a blockbuster movie and beloved musical phenomenon. - • **Top-Ranked Bestseller:** Ranked #29 in Film & Television Tie-Ins, this book is a cultural touchstone you can’t miss. - • **Unputdownable Storytelling:** Readers rave about its gripping plot and fresh perspective—perfect for your next book club pick. ## Overview Wicked by Gregory Maguire is a bestselling novel that reimagines the Wizard of Oz from a fresh perspective. With over 11,000 reviews averaging 4.2 stars, it inspired a major film and musical adaptation. Ranked highly in film tie-in categories, this book offers a compelling, unputdownable story that has captivated a global audience. ## Description Wicked: the bestselling book that inspired the movie: 1 : Maguire, Gregory: desertcart.co.uk: Books Review: This is not the movie. It's much better - Better than the film. Don't be fooled. This is not the exactly the same story. This is much more interesting and more adult. Love the backstory of Elphaba. Heartbreaking at times too. Review: A wickedly good read - This book proved to be a long read for me. Admittedly It took me a year to finish this book but I'm so glad I persevered with it in the end. To begin with it is very slow going and I did struggle but eventually the story got better and proved to be worth the read in the end. Very different from the movies but don't give up. This book is a good read. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | 0755331605 | | Best Sellers Rank | 234,736 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 55 in Film & Television Tie-In 62 in TV, Movie, Game Adaptations 87 in Myths & Fairy Tales | | Book 1 of 4 | The Wicked Years | | Customer reviews | 4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (11,660) | | Dimensions | 12.8 x 3.4 x 19.6 cm | | Edition | 1st | | ISBN-10 | 9780755331604 | | ISBN-13 | 978-0755331604 | | Item weight | 1.05 kg | | Language | English | | Print length | 512 pages | | Publication date | 11 Sept. 2006 | | Publisher | Headline Review | | Reading age | 18 years and up | ## Images ![Wicked: the bestselling book that inspired the movie: 1 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71e0YnC2qwL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is not the movie. It's much better *by T***Y on 19 February 2026* Better than the film. Don't be fooled. This is not the exactly the same story. This is much more interesting and more adult. Love the backstory of Elphaba. Heartbreaking at times too. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A wickedly good read *by M***Y on 11 February 2026* This book proved to be a long read for me. Admittedly It took me a year to finish this book but I'm so glad I persevered with it in the end. To begin with it is very slow going and I did struggle but eventually the story got better and proved to be worth the read in the end. Very different from the movies but don't give up. This book is a good read. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Not for kids *by K***R on 16 July 2025* I cannot stress enough how this book is not for children – there is content that is deeply unsuitable for youngsters, and I am kind of mad at the publishers for using the film images as it really appeals to kids. Be aware there are some spoilers ahead: As prequels go this is a pretty good one. Here we meet the Wicked Witch Of The West before a house was dropped on her sister and Dorothy merrily waltzed off with the Ruby slippers. In Munchkinland, Frex and Melena are awaiting the birth of their baby. Frex is a minister and wanders the land preaching to the Munchkinlanders. Melena is a noble who married to escape her fate. Frex has left the house that morning to visit a nearby township to warn them of the dangers of the ‘The Time Dragon’ – a mechanical device that appears to tell fortunes. ‘The Time Dragon’ tells Frex’s fortune – his hidden wealth and his punishment. Soon after Elphaba is born – a beautiful baby who just happens to be bright green. Frex and Melena are disinterested in the baby and alarmed by her needle-sharp teeth, so Melena sends for her old Nanny. In an effort to get to the bottom of Elphaba’s greenness, Nanny speaks at length with Melena, and we learn that she hasn’t been faithful to Frex on numerous occasions including times that she can’t quite remember. Fast forward a few years and we meet Galinda on her way to Shiz university. She is travelling alone due to an accident to Ama Clutch, her attendant. On arriving at Shiz, Galinda is alarmed to find that due to the absence of her Ama she has been left without a roomie – and that is when Madam Morrible puts Elphaba and Galinda together. If you want to read the story from the movie or the stage play, then this isn’t that. This is political, multi-layered, consumed with right and wrong and how perception can cause someone to be viewed as good or evil. Elphaba struggles to find her place in the world – a world that seems intent on demonizing things that are considered ‘other’. We already know how the story of Elphaba ends but her journey there is interesting and absorbing. Yes, there are time jumps, we frequently move forward by chunks of years but it moves the story along well and we always get a little thumbnail sketch of what has happened in the intervening years. I was really enjoying the book until I got to the last 10% or so when Elphaba’s behaviour becomes more erratic and we can see the ‘Wickedness’ in her and that seems to have come from nowhere. Other than that, I really enjoyed it. Galinda is as vapid and silly as she is in the play, more obsessed with her own vanity than in being genuinely good, Nessarose is a good foil for Elphaba as she leans into the wicked witch idea, and the Wizard is a bitter tyrant (who appears to be Elphaba’s father through some twisted drugging of Melena) - it leaves one pondering who the really Wicked are. If you read this expecting the movie or stage play then you will be disappointed because it is very different, however, if you are coming to it with an open mind and are prepared to forget what you know about the films then you will find it is well worth a trip down the yellow brick road. ## Frequently Bought Together - Wicked (Wicked Years 1): the bestselling book that inspired the movie - Funko Pop! Keychain: Wicked - Elphaba - Novelty Keyring - Collectable Mini Figure - Stocking Filler - Gift Idea - Official Merchandise - Movies Fans - Backpack Decor - Funko Pop! Movies: Wicked - Glinda in Bubble Gown - Collectable Vinyl Figure - Gift Idea - Official Merchandise - Toys for Kids & Adults - Movies Fans - Model Figure for Collectors and Display --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/50117323-wicked-the-bestselling-book-that-inspired-the-movie-1](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/50117323-wicked-the-bestselling-book-that-inspired-the-movie-1) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu* *Store origin: VU* *Last updated: 2026-05-08*