artsDec 24, 20257:59pending

'Hiddensee' is a 'Nutcracker'-inspired novel from the author of 'Wicked'

About this episode

In 2017, Wicked author Gregory Maguire set out to tell the backstory of another classic fairytale. His novel Hiddensee focuses on Herr Drosselmeyer, the powerful toymaker in The Nutcracker. In today’s episode, we revisit a conversation between Maguire and then-NPR host Lulu Garcia-Navarro. Maguire tells Garcia-Navarro about his interest in writing a Nutcracker prequel, giving people “consolation” through literature, and his personal collection of nutcrackers.

To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Get every episode summarized

Each time NPR's Book of the Day publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.

Email me new episodes

Free for 3 shows. No card needed.

Hosts & guests

No transcript yet

This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.

More episodes

'Hiddensee' is a 'Nutcracker'-inspired novel from the author of 'Wicked'

About this episode

Get every episode summarized

Hosts & guests

More from NPR's Book of the Day

To combat the 'Artificial State,' Jill Lepore says to look to science fiction

Author Liane Moriarty on her long-awaited sequel to 'Big Little Lies'

New music books take on Paul Simon's 'Graceland' and the history of music and pr...

New book evaluates President Biden's legacy as midterm elections approach