Elphie

About the book

Before her witchy powers emerged in Wicked, what happened to young Elphaba? It took almost 30 years after the original novel for Gregory Maguire to reveal the story of the prickly young Elphie, who would eventually become the Wicked Witch of the West. This sets the stage for the beloved international sensation that is Wicked: The Musical.

Elphaba, known as the Wicked Witch of the West, will develop a strong and somewhat uncompromising personality in adulthood. However, even from a young age, she stands out as a unique individual. Elphie's story is a captivating tale of a very peculiar and relatable young girl.

Young Elphie's character is shaped by her mother, Melena, who is promiscuous, and her father, Frex, who is pious. She experiences typical childhood jealousies when her saintly sister, Nessarose, and troublemaking brother, Shell, enter the picture. Elphie witnesses the mistreatment of the animals in Oz, who live separately from humans but nearby, with a Monkey and Dwarf Bears as companions. She struggles through her first attempts at forming friendships, which could offer her solace from her complex family life. Despite her education being somewhat haphazard, she eventually finds herself at Shiz University, where she meets the enchanting Galinda.

Elphie's destiny as a witch is evident from her childhood, with her green skin being the most visible sign. However, her cunning and sometimes morally ambiguous actions also hint at her future as she navigates through challenges, seeks to survive, and aspires for more.