Published in 1900, L. Frank Baum’s THE WIZARD OF OZ not only has stood the test of time but has become one of the most beloved books ever written. The legendary film adaptation nearly 40 years later featured, among its countless characters, Glinda the Good Witch.

Gregory Maguire penned WICKED, a classic of his own that was inspired by THE WIZARD OF OZ. It was turned into a Tony Award-winning musical that has since been followed up by a two-part film version. Maguire has continued to bring us stories from the world of Oz that pay wonderful homage to the source material while also showing off his fertile imagination in building upon it.

"GALINDA is a memorable read that provides more background to a beloved character who remains an important part of the story in the minds of readers worldwide. The entire experience is an eye-opening delight."

This time, Maguire gives us the never-before-seen childhood of Galinda prior to her evolving into Glinda the Good Witch. At the beginning of GALINDA, the eight-year-old is living on a ranch with her father, grandmother, three brothers, members of the household staff, and an imaginary friend she calls Robbery. The only person absent is her mother, who spends more time on the road than at home for reasons that are mostly kept under wraps and is the subject of much conjecture.

Papa is a well-known supplier of building materials who recently has been down on his luck and is quickly accruing new enemies who want to see him fail. Grandmama rules with an iron fist, and Galinda suspects that she may be a witch. Her brothers, each of whom bears a nickname more akin to swine, mostly stay out of her hair. However, she always has been particularly close to Ham, who often takes her to dance class. Galinda never really was told the full story about why her family was downgraded from their stately home. All she knows is that Chrysanthemum Hall was victimized by an earthquake.

Bad luck continues to follow the family when their barn is set ablaze, most likely by Papa’s enemies, and some of their animals perish. When Mama does show up, Galinda voices her desire to go to school. Her father fears for her safety, so they agree to an in-home tutor. The first one does not last long and is quickly replaced by Pint Montaubade, who stays with her through her mid-teens.

We watch as Galinda begins to show signs of the adult character we know so well. Along the way, she must deal not only with family hardship but also a mystery that is dropped in her lap just prior to Grandmama’s passing. Grandmama tells Galinda that she must make a pilgrimage back to their old home, which is now just a bunch of rubble, and search for an oversized amulet or totem in the form of a golden owl that may possess magical powers responsible for cursing the family. This mission will have quite an impact in shaping Galinda and potentially leading her down the road to witchcraft.

GALINDA is a memorable read that provides more background to a beloved character who remains an important part of the story in the minds of readers worldwide. The entire experience is an eye-opening delight.