---
product_id: 50117323
title: "Wicked: the bestselling book that inspired the movie: 1"
price: "¥6302"
currency: JPY
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.jp/products/50117323-wicked-the-bestselling-book-that-inspired-the-movie-1
store_origin: JP
region: Japan
---

# 4.2/5 from 12,000+ readers Inspires major film & musical Top 30 Contemporary Fantasy Wicked: the bestselling book that inspired the movie: 1

**Price:** ¥6302
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 📚 Unlock the magic behind the legend — don’t miss the story everyone’s talking about!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Wicked: the bestselling book that inspired the movie: 1
- **How much does it cost?** ¥6302 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.jp](https://www.desertcart.jp/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

- • **Not your typical fantasy:** Perfect for discerning readers craving a sophisticated, thought-provoking twist on a classic tale.
- • **Dive into the untold story:** Experience the iconic Wicked Witch’s origin like never before, with a fresh, complex perspective.
- • **From page to stage to screen:** Join the cultural phenomenon that sparked a hit musical and a star-studded movie this November.
- • **Masterclass in moral complexity:** Explore a profound narrative where good and evil blur, crafted by Gregory Maguire’s brilliant storytelling.
- • **Critically acclaimed and beloved:** Join over 12,000 readers who rated this bestseller 4.2 stars for its gripping, dark, and immersive plot.

## Overview

Wicked is a bestselling contemporary fantasy novel by Gregory Maguire that reimagines the Wicked Witch of the West’s origin story. Ranked top 30 in its genre and inspiring a blockbuster musical and upcoming film, it offers a dark, nuanced exploration of good and evil, praised by over 12,000 readers with a 4.2-star average.

## Description

The global bestseller that inspired the hit musical phenomenon Major, much-anticipated movie starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande coming to the big screen this November In this classic tale of good and evil, what if we weren't told the whole story? Long before Dorothy follows the yellow brick road and triumphs over the Wicked Witch of the West, a little girl with emerald-green skin is born in the land of Oz. Elphaba grows up to be smart and prickly, a lonely outsider with an extraordinary talent for magic. Arriving at university, she dares to believe she might finally fit in. But Oz isn't the haven she'd dreamed of. Some of its citizens are in grave danger, and Elphaba is determined to protect them from the Wizard's power. And when the world declares her a wicked witch, Elphaba takes matters into her own hands... Fall under the WICKED spell this year.

Review: Masterclass in character study - Obviously I picked this up because of the current hype about the Wicked film (which by the way is incredible) and expected a light hearted retelling from the Wicked Witch’s point of view. Instead I got a beautifully profound novel about good and evil. The way Maguire has written these well loved characters is seriously superb; we are never in any doubt of their motivations, each has a clear moral standard of their own which is thoughtfully explored throughout the book. The plot is equally charming and disturbing, the political landscape is well developed, and the tension oozes off every page. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone be they a Wicked fan or not. Dazzling and surprising, I plan to continue the series and immerse myself in Gregory Maguire’s beautiful writing once again. PS. It is NOT a children’s book
Review: Cracking read! - This was a very cleverly written book. Quite dark in places, and so much more involved and involving than either the stage show or the films. I loved this book!

## Features

- HEADLINE REVIEW

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | 284,597 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 8 in Film & Television Tie-In 22 in TV, Movie, Game Adaptations 30 in Contemporary Fantasy (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.2 out of 5 stars 12,019 Reviews |

## Images

![Wicked: the bestselling book that inspired the movie: 1 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71e0YnC2qwL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Media Language, Media Format** options.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Masterclass in character study
*by E***Y on 9 December 2024*

Obviously I picked this up because of the current hype about the Wicked film (which by the way is incredible) and expected a light hearted retelling from the Wicked Witch’s point of view. Instead I got a beautifully profound novel about good and evil. The way Maguire has written these well loved characters is seriously superb; we are never in any doubt of their motivations, each has a clear moral standard of their own which is thoughtfully explored throughout the book. The plot is equally charming and disturbing, the political landscape is well developed, and the tension oozes off every page. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone be they a Wicked fan or not. Dazzling and surprising, I plan to continue the series and immerse myself in Gregory Maguire’s beautiful writing once again. PS. It is NOT a children’s book

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cracking read!
*by M***R on 24 March 2026*

This was a very cleverly written book. Quite dark in places, and so much more involved and involving than either the stage show or the films. I loved this book!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Not for kids
*by A***B 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

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*Product available on Desertcart Japan*
*Store origin: JP*
*Last updated: 2026-11-13*