Wicked — Gregory Maguire (Ukrainian edition, 512 pages, Darina Berezina translation)

Step into a darker, deeper Oz with Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, a novel by Gregory Maguire, now in Ukrainian translation by Darina Berezina and published by Artbooks on February 4, 2025. Across 512 pages, this hardcover edition expands the familiar world of L. Frank Baum, offering a nuanced origin tale for Elphaba — the green‑skinned woman who becomes the “Wicked Witch.” In Maguire’s retelling, Elphaba is born into a harsh, unjust world, struggling with prejudice, political manipulation, and conflicting loyalties.

This edition dives into themes of good vs. evil, the moral ambiguity of revolution, and how labels like “wicked” are often assigned by those in power. It challenges readers to question who is vilified and why — sympathy lies not in perfection, but in pain, resistance, and choices. With lush world‑building, morally complex characters, dark humor, and heartbreak, Wicked is ideal for readers who enjoy literary fantasy with weight — fans of alternate history, myth reimaginings, or anything that pushes beyond the black‑and‑white.

If you’re drawn to stories that explore outsiders, power structures, identity, and redemption, this Ukrainian edition is a powerful add to your collection — both as a compelling read and a work that redefines what it means to be “wicked.”