January Meeting: Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (1995) is a dark fantasy by American author Gregory Maguire. The novel is a cynical, adult-oriented revision of the characters and setting of L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Maguire's story is presented as a biography of the Wicked Witch of the West, here given the name Elphaba Thropp. Maguire shows the traditionally villainous character in a sympathetic light, using her journey to explore the problem of evil and the nature versus nurture debate, as well as themes of terrorism, propaganda, and existential purpose.

Reasons for Challenges/Bans:
Wicked was banned in 17 U.S. school districts in the 2024-25 school year, usually for its mature and complex themes, which are distinct from the more family-friendly musical and movie adaptations. Reasons for bans often cite content such as sexual assault, prostitution, crime, drinking, and drug use. Challenges also include the book's "mature themes" such as morality, power, and corruption.

Hope to see you there!