is wicked the musical also a book?

Answer 1

Yes, although the musical is a radical departure from the book. The book is more philosophical and debates the idea of wickedness. The only time the musical gets close to the book is at the very beginning when they ask "Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them."

The book really challenges the reader to think about their perceptions of people in the world, question the information we're fed, re-examine how those in power manipulate our perceptions for their own gain. Oh, and the book doesn't cheat at the end like the musical does. I hated that about the show. Great show, fun, loved it, not as good as the book, but that ending really blew it.

Answer 2

Wicked was a book before it was a musical....written by Gregory Maguire. Mr. Maguire has written several books based on fairytales, but told from the opposite perspective...Wicked gives you the background of the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz...there is also its sequel, Son of a Witch, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (Cinderella), Mirror Mirror (Snow White), and Lost (not sure what it's about). I've read Wicked and it's very good, makes you look at the witch in a whole new light...I own Son of a Witch, but have not gotten to read it yet.

Answer 3

I saw the musical and then read the book ... since things end up connecting differently at the end for each, I don't believe there a right way to go about it ... I was able to follow along with the musical perfectly fine without knowing what was going to happen next. Of coarse the book goes into greater detail about certain things but as with all books, only certain parts make it into the play ... Whatever decision you make will be alright ... you won't loose out on the experience that each offer. Just look at them as separate entities.

Answer 4

Why yes!

From School Library Journal
YA?Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, has gotten a bum rap. Her mother is embarrassed and repulsed by her bright-green baby with shark's teeth and an aversion to water. At college, the coed experiences disapproval and rejection by her roommate, Glinda, a silly girl interested only in clothes, money, and popularity. Elphaba is a serious and inquisitive student. When she learns that the Wizard of Oz is politically corrupt and causing economic ruin, Elphaba finds a sense of purpose to her life?to stop him and to restore harmony and prosperity to the land. A Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and an unknown species called a "Dorothy" appear in very small roles... The story presents Elphaba in a sympathetic and empathetic manner-readers will want her to triumph! The conclusion, however, is the same as L. Frank Baum's. The book has both idealism and cynicism in its discussion of social, religious, educational, and political issues present in Oz, and, more pointedly, present in our day and time. The idealism is whimsical and engaging; the cynicism is biting. Sometimes the earthy language seems appropriate and adds to the sense of place; sometimes the four-letter words and sexual explicitness distract from the charm of the tale. The multiple threads to the plot proceed unevenly, so that the pace of the story jumps rather than moves steadily forward. Wicked is not an easy rereading of The Wizard of Oz. It is for good readers who like satire, and love exceedingly imaginative and clever fantasy.?Judy Sokoll, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Paperback: 406 pages
Publisher: Regan Books; Reprint edition (November 6, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060987103
ISBN-13: 978-0060987107
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches

Answer 5

Yes it is, it's called Wicked -The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

There is also another book called Son of a Witch. It's a sequel


http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Life-Times-Witch-West/dp/0060987103/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-5771592-5710567?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181183679&sr=1-2

Answer 6

yes it is i am reading it right now Wicked or Wicked:The Life and Times of The Wicked Witch of the West byGregory Macguire there is a sequel the son of a witch 3rd wicked cycle a cowardly war

Answer 7

It was a book first and the book is excellent.

The book deals with themes not in the musical. The show was more "mainstreamed" than the book.

You get a true understanding about Elphaba's past and her relationship with the characters in the book.

I highly recomed it and it's sequel.

Answer 8

Yes it was a book first, although the book doesnt resemble the musical at all. The musical is much better. Pax - C

Answer 9

Yes, it was first published as a novel, then was turned into a musical. I prefered the musical to the book.

Answer 10

There is a book but I never could get thru it. Friends have tried and some can and some cant