Elphie: A Wicked Childhood

Gregory Maguire’s Elphie: A Wicked Childhood serves as an interquel to the Wicked Years, taking place between Elphaba’s birth as depicted in Wicked and her time at Shiz. The story focuses on Elphie’s time with her parents, Melena and Frex, as they live in Quadling Country as part of Frex’s missionary work. Melena’s promiscuity and her Frex’s guilt over the death of Turtle Heart, a glassblower and the possible father of Elphie’s sister Nessarose with whom both parents shared a deep connection, plays a key role in Elphie’s childhood. Her mother’s death in childbirth coupled with her father only giving her attention as her skills may assist in his desire to assuage his guilt and build his ministry shapes Elphie’s show more interests. She and Nessa each feel their unique physical qualities, from Elphie’s green coloring to Nessa’s armlessness, mark them out as failures. Their younger brother Shell, seemingly the perfect child their parents wanted, turns out to lack a conscience. As Elphie grows up in this world, she comes to learn about talking Animals, wonder at their innate souls, and be surrounded by various signs including wise people predicting her future power. The story will entertain fans of Wicked and nicely fits within between sections of that original book, though it is not strictly necessary for a full enjoyment of The Wicked Years. Maguire has crafted a treat for fans. Edoardo Ballerini does a great job reading this text, injecting drama into Maguire’s words and distinguishing each character’s voice even as they age and their voices change. show less

Really enjoyed this creative backstory to the character, Elphaba, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. It is an engaging coming-of-age story in itself, about a young girl who finds her identity amid the chaos of her dysfunctional family. Some of the quirks of the Wicked Witch are addressed in their infancy, like her obsession with talking animals and wings. Ballerini always a great narrator.

Maguire is the author of the books upon which the play and movie Wicked are based. He has chosen here to tell the back story of Elphaba growing up. Her mother dies when she is young and her dad (a missionary) much of the time is physically and mentally absent. Her sister (with no arms) and brother (a troublemaker) flesh out the family. Elphie feels restricted and goes about carving herself some independence. She is smart and a theme is about how she goes about educating herself to fuel her independent streak.

It was interesting through at points it seemed drag on it is an interesting way to try "humanize" the wicked witch. The point would be her childhood brought about how she ended up it also makes an explanation why water "melted" her.

Elphie: A Wicked Childhood
The Wicked Years, Book 0

I Picked Up This Book Because: #14Books14Weeks

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: S Public Library
Dates Read: 8/17/25 - 8/19/25
Rating: No Rating
Narrator(s): Eldorado Ballerini

The Characters:

Elphaba:
NessaRose:
Nanny, Father, Mother, Other various characters

The Story:

There is nothing wrong with this book, I am just bored. 66% in and in danger of a reading slump I am calling it quits.