Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked, is set to release a prequel focussing on the early days of Galinda’s life. ‘Galinda: A Charmed Childhood‘, which is due to be published in 2026 will reportedly be a companion piece to the novelist’s other ‘childhood prequel’ ‘Elphie: A Wicked Childhood’ which published in 2025.
Maguire’s novel ‘Wicked’ (1995) is a dark fantasy that revises the characters of L. Frank Baum’s ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ children’s series, giving a backstory to the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba Thropp. The novel was used as the basis for the Tony Award-winning musical, Wicked, which first opened on Broadway in 2003. More recently, the musical has in-turn been adapted into a two-part feature film, the second part of which, ‘Wicked: For Good’, was released in November this year.
This new prequel novel will tell the origin story of Galinda, though plot details are being kept mostly under wraps. Details of the new book shared by the publisher, William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins explain:
“In this sister volume to Elphie, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Gregory Maguire shares the eagerly awaited origin story of Galinda, the pink-clad, effervescent, and popular favorite character.
“Who was Glinda the Good Witch before she floated down in her bubble to greet Dorothy? Who was Glinda before she became Elphaba Thropp’s magnetic and popular roommate at Shiz University? Well, before then, she was Galinda. With a ‘ga.’
“The youngest of four children in a high-born family down on their luck, Galinda is both pampered and ignored. Her natural grace promises to elevate her in the district dance competitions—but these efforts distract her from seeing the growing resentments of local merchants who disapprove of her family’s business strategies. Enmired in the self-satisfactions and unnamed timidities of childhood, Galinda finds in herself neither canniness nor the need to cultivate it. However, as her father deftly pivots around the snares and nets laid for him by his competitors, Galinda begins to dance toward a life that might lift her above her proud, if hardscrabble, childhood.
“Galinda reveals the girl behind the bubbly, shallow cliché—offering fans of Wicked their first richer glimpse into the life of a beloved and iconic character.”
The novel will likely be a bestselling hit, following the excitement surrounding the film adaptations of Wicked starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Ethan Slater as Boq, and Marissa Bode as Nessarose. ‘Galinda: A Charmed Childhood’ will reportedly total 256 pages, with an initial release of deluxe limited editions with stencilled edges and special endpapers. Publishing in September 2026, the book is available for pre-order now for U.S. readers.
