Book Review: Elphie by Gregory Maguire
Cover of Elphie: A Wicked Childhood by Gregory Maguire.
I have not read Wicked or other works by Gregory Maguire, though I have seen the musical on Broadway and the new film adaptation in theaters. I enjoyed both, though the film had some minor character development moments that felt confusing. Still, it soared in its classic, high-impact scenes—moments that were deeply satisfying and heart-pounding. I even cried at the end, wanting to know more about Elphie and Glinda’s stories. So, when I received the opportunity to review an early copy of Elphie, I was thrilled and grateful.
I struggled with writing this review. As a professional writer completing my MFA and finishing my debut novel, I asked myself: What could I possibly have to say about a book by Gregory Maguire, the very author who embedded Wicked into our collective imagination? But as a reader and writer, I have the right—and responsibility—to offer an honest critique, rooted in my understanding of craft.
Where Elphie Stumbles
The fundamental flaw of Elphie boils down to a core principle of commercial (genre) storytelling: show, don’t tell.
While I have no doubt Maguire had deep artistic intent behind his stylistic choices, that intent does not successfully translate into the reader’s experience. The novel leans heavily on exposition—telling rather than showing—which disrupts immersion and dulls the narrative’s emotional impact. The issue isn’t the plot; it’s the execution.
Maguire’s effort to craft a unique vernacular for Oz is ambitious, but it significantly slows comprehension. The prose feels dense, and the pacing suffers for it. Reading Elphie often felt like running a marathon with weights strapped to my legs—exhausting rather than exhilarating.
On a second read, I tried skimming past the heavy exposition and focusing on the scenes where the narrative unfolds in real time. These moments were far more engaging, and I found myself yearning for more of them. However, even in these scenes, authorial intrusion frequently disrupts the story. The voice strays, digresses, and reminds the reader that they are being told a story rather than experiencing one.
This breaks verisimilitude—the immersive illusion that makes fiction feel real. It’s akin to breaking the fourth wall, but not in a deliberate or effective way. There are rare occasions where an author can successfully insert themselves into a story, but here, it only distances the reader further.
The Verdict
Even if Elphie was intended as a literary experiment, the result is more frustrating than thought-provoking. The experience is often confusing and laborious, making it difficult to appreciate whatever artistic point Maguire hoped to convey. And when the reader cannot connect with the story, that artistic intent is lost.
I appreciate the opportunity to have read Elphie, and I respect Maguire’s ambition. But in the end, this novel left me wishing for the magic I felt at the end of Wicked—the musical and the film, not this book. 2/5 stars. ⭐️⭐️☆ ☆ ☆
Purchase Elphie via Harper Collins Publishers.
Thank you to Harper Collins, William Morrow, and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest and professional review.
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