Moviegoers across the globe are unbelievably excited about the upcoming Wicked films, based on the smash hit Broadway musical of the same name. Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba, the famed "Wicked Witch of the West," and global pop sensation Ariana Grande costars as Galinda, later known as "Glinda the Good Witch." Audiences are buzzing about these two powerhouse performers, Crazy Rich Asians directorJon Chu’s vision, and the wider principal cast, which includes the likes of Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Peter Dinklage.
These movies have been so highly anticipated for such a long time, and now we're finally getting the first part of the film on November 22, 2024. Meanwhile, Wicked: Part Two will be out in November 2025. As we get hyped for the first movie and wait eagerly for the second film to drop, now seems like the perfect time to dive into the audiobooks where it all began: Gregory Maguire's Wicked Years book series. Want to learn more about Elphaba's story and the wider world of Oz? You'll have to check these out.
Hear Elphaba’s story in series
At this point, Gregory Maguire's Wicked is a story that's nearly as famed as L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz. So if you haven't listened yet, you need to start here. This is the story of Elphaba, a girl who was born with green skin. Despite her intelligence and magical gifts, her unorthodox skin color immediately makes her an outcast in Munchkinland. When she sets off to attend Shiz University, Elphaba thinks this is finally her chance to be around likeminded people, hone her skills, and find her place in the world. But Oz is a land that isn't kind to everyone, and when Elphaba tries to stand up against injustice, she's deemed a wicked witch. John McDonough narrates this contemporary classic, truly evoking the pure magic of a fan favorite.
In the aftermath of the Wizard of Oz's fall from power and Elphaba's death, Elphaba's son Liir rises from the shadows. Son of a Witch is his story. Badly bruised and on the brink of death, Liir is brought to the Cloister of Saint Glinda, where he meets Candle. Candle is a young Quadling girl who heals him with the power of music. But how did Liir end up this way in the first place? And will he be able to find his half-sister Nor? This is the only book in the series that is narrated by the author himself, Gregory Maguire.
John McDonough is back to narrate the next two books in the Wicked Years series. In the third installment in the series, listeners see the land of Oz from the perspective of Brrr, better known as the Cowardly Lion. This book takes place eight years after the events of the second novel, Son of a Witch. With the oppressive laws in Oz that restrict animal rights, Brrr seeks safety through working for the Emperor of Oz. Maguire's third Wicked book is a unique, heartfelt story that reimagines a familiar, beloved character while also questioning the morality of war.
From the very first chapter of Out of Oz, Munchkinland is a world at war. All the characters we know and love are in danger or on the run, and there's only one person who can save them. Is it Dorothy, who has just returned to Oz to stand trial for the murder of Elphaba? Or is it Elphaba's granddaughter Rain? Rain has been hiding in the shadows for many years, but now that she's all grown up, it's her turn to take up her grandmother's broom and save Oz.
Can't get enough of the Wicked Years? You're in luck. In March 2025, we're getting a prequel narrated by multi-award-winning actor Edoardo Ballerini. If you've ever wondered what Elphaba's life was like before the events of Wicked, this is the book for you. This is the story of young Elphie, a girl who grew up acutely aware of the mistreatment of animals in Oz, the difficulties of finding friendship, and the pressures of sibling rivalries. We got a taste of Elphaba's childhood in Wicked, but this expands the story, showing us new depths of this beloved character.
The magic continues with the series
Elphaba's granddaughter Rain was such a beloved character in the Wicked Years series, which is why Gregory Maguire decided to give listeners more! In the Another Day series, we follow the continuing story of Rain, beginning with The Brides of Maracoor. Rain washes ashore on a strange island called Maracoor Spot. There, she is brought into a community of single women who practice strange devotional rituals and must figure out what to do with the green-skinned newcomer. Is she an omen of terrible things to come? Or will she bring about peace and happiness? The entire Another Day series is narrated by Debra Wise, whose theater experience makes her the perfect voice to bring a large, dynamic cast of characters to life.
In the second novel in the Another Day series, Maracoor is under siege. With the help of the flying monkeys, Rain is making a break for it with Cossy, a child felon. Looking for guidance, Rain and Cossy seek out the Oracle of Maracoor, and in the process, they learn the truth of why Rain ended up on the island in the first place.
In the final chapter of the Another Day series, Rain's memories return to her, and she looks back to her homeland of Oz. But before she returns home, she has debts to settle and wrongs to right. With everything Rain has learned during her journeys, she is more powerful than ever and ready to deliver on all the promises she has made.
More stories from
If you love Gregory Maguire's imaginative take on Oz and the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, you should give his other fairy tale reinventions a listen. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister gives listeners a fresh look at the classic story of Cinderella, following the story of Iris, one of Cinderella's "ugly stepsisters." This audiobook, which also includes an interview with the author, has been commended by Audible listeners for its strong narration from performer Jenny Sterlin.
Mirror Mirror, as you might have guessed, is a new perspective on the beloved tale of Snow White. But here's a fresh twist: This one also mixes in history with the fairy tale. Set in 1502, this is the story of Bianca de Nevada, a young girl who lives a simple life with her father in Montefiore, Italy. Then, Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia visit the family one day. When the Borgias send Bianca's father on a quest, Bianca is left in the hands of the beautiful but vain Lucrezia. John McDonough returns to narrate this novel alongside a talented cast including Kate Forbes, Barbara Rosenblat, and Richard Ferrone.
Hiddensee is a retelling of holiday masterwork The Nutcracker, but it's also so much more. This novel explores the world of early 19th-century German Romanticism as it unpacks the enigma of toymaker Drosselmeier, Clara's godfather, and the Nutcracker's origin story. Multi-time Earphones Award-winning narrator Steven Crossley brings the story to life with distinct and memorable voices for each character.