With the Wicked movie adaptation just around the corner, there’s no better time to revisit—or perhaps experience for the first time—the original Oz story. Whether you pick up a physical copy or choose the audiobook version for a more immersive experience, diving into L. Frank Baum’s classic before watching will add a new layer of magic and meaning to your journey through Oz. Here’s why The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is essential reading (or listening) for anyone excited about Wicked whether you’re new to Oz or returning to this beloved world.

1. The Original Characters of Oz: Meeting the Inspirations Behind Wicked

The Wicked musical and movie are beloved for their nuanced portrayal of characters like Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda the Good, but these iconic figures started out in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. By reading or listening to Baum’s book, you’ll meet these characters as they were originally envisioned, getting to know the classic versions before Wicked flips the story.

Baum’s original Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion each carry distinctive qualities that Wicked builds upon. Listening to the audiobook can bring their voices to life, giving you a sense of the personalities that Wicked later adapts with darker twists and greater depth. You’ll enjoy seeing where these iconic figures came from and how Gregory Maguire’s Wicked turns them into complex characters with their own motives and backstories.

2. Seeing Good and Evil Through a New Lens

In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is a straightforward villain: ruthless, power-hungry, and determined to capture Dorothy. But Wicked tells a very different story. By reading Baum’s version first, you get the full contrast when Wicked introduces Elphaba as a misunderstood, compassionate, and morally complex character rather than the “wicked” figure she’s made out to be.

The original story’s clear-cut battle between good (Glinda, Dorothy) and evil (the Wicked Witch) lays the groundwork for the layered portrayal of Oz in. Experiencing Baum’s classic tale first makes Wicked’s exploration of morality and prejudice feel even richer, as it challenges what we thought we knew about “good” and “evil.” The audiobook is a perfect option here, immersing you in Baum’s storytelling style and tone so that you can fully appreciate the moral complexity Wicked adds to Oz.

3. Exploring Oz’s Magical Landscape

Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz introduces readers to an enchanting world, from the fields of poppies and the glimmering Emerald City to the land of the Munchkins and the haunting Wicked Witch’s castle. This lush landscape provides the foundation for Maguire’s interpretation in Wicked, where Oz takes on new depths and even darker corners.

By experiencing Oz as Baum imagined it, you’ll have a richer appreciation for Wicked’s creative adaptation of these settings. Imagine listening to the audiobook and picturing these iconic locations; it’ll set the stage for the way Wicked fills them with political intrigue, personal stakes, and complex relationships. When you watch the Wicked movie, you’ll see how the story you know has been reimagined, and Oz will feel both familiar and transformed.

4. Understanding the World That Inspired Wicked

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz doesn’t just introduce iconic characters; it also explores themes of friendship, courage, and self-discovery. Dorothy’s journey to find her way home is a classic tale of overcoming adversity with the help of friends, and it’s Baum’s portrayal of Oz’s unique inhabitants that makes these themes so resonant.

Listening to Baum’s original in audiobook form can highlight these themes through the narrator’s voice, capturing the charm and heart of Dorothy’s journey. Wicked builds upon these themes, bringing deeper, sometimes darker motivations to familiar faces. Glinda’s friendship with Elphaba, for instance, gains emotional weight when you’re aware of her original portrayal as Dorothy’s bubbly, unwaveringly “good” friend. Experiencing Baum’s book first enriches your understanding of the friendships and alliances in Wicked, adding emotional layers to the story.

5. A New Perspective on Oz’s Most Powerful Figures

In Baum’s Oz, the Wizard is a mysterious, revered figure who eventually reveals himself to be a humbug—an ordinary man from Omaha hiding behind a grand illusion. In Wicked, Maguire takes this revelation further, exploring the Wizard’s impact on the world of Oz and its inhabitants. Understanding the Wizard’s origins from Baum’s book gives context to his more ominous portrayal in Wicked, as his rule and motives are explored in detail.

Listening to the audiobook’s narration of the Wizard’s deceptive rise to power provides a classic foundation for Maguire’s darker, more politically charged adaptation. You’ll appreciate Wicked’s exploration of Oz’s political struggles and its portrayal of the Wizard as a controversial leader, themes that only deepen after experiencing Baum’s version of the character.

6. The Perfect Read (or Listen) Before Watching Wicked

Whether you’re diving into the book or the audiobook, reading The Wonderful Wizard of Oz before seeing Wicked will add a rich layer of enjoyment. You’ll enter the Wicked movie with insights into the original characters, settings, and themes that inspired Maguire’s reinterpretation, enhancing your appreciation of the creative liberties taken in Wicked.

Listening to the audiobook is especially enjoyable for anyone on the go, allowing you to explore Oz’s classic world and characters with vivid narration. The audiobook adds a new level of immersion, bringing Baum’s words to life in a way that’s perfect for today’s readers who want a classic story before stepping into Wicked’s morally complex and captivating world.

If you’re excited about the Wicked movie, don’t miss the chance to experienceThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz first. By revisiting the classic characters and settings that inspired Wicked, you’ll see Oz with new eyes and deepen your appreciation for the world Baum created over a century ago. Whether you choose to read the book or enjoy the audiobook version, this classic tale will make your journey to Wicked even more magical, reminding you that every great story has layers just waiting to be uncovered.

Ready to dive into the magic of Oz? Download the Fabuly app today and listen or read to for free!

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

L. Frank Baum

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