Parent's warning over 'Wicked' book ahead of movie’s release

"They’re going to go home and read this, and they’re going to have a lot of questions for their parents."

Ahead of the release of the highly anticipated Wicked movie, fans of the original book are giving a warning to parents about its contents.

Whilst the new release, like the musical, is child-friendly and will be PG-rated, the book features a host of mature themes, with Tori Calamito from @theozvlog on TikTok, among a host of other creators, deeming it inappropriate for readers under the age of 18.

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Are you familiar with the original Wicked book? Image: TikTok / @theozvlog

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The Wicked truth

‘Wicked’ is most popularly known as a musical prequel to The Wizard of Oz, premiering on Broadway back in 2003. However, it’s loosely based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.

In the lead-up to the upcoming movie adaptation starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, some copies of the book being sold in retailers like BIG W have received a cinematic makeover featuring the duo.

But, as Wicked quickly grows in popularity, ‘The Oz Vlog’ has shared some timely advice to parents of young fans around just how kid-friendly the book really is.

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The book says WHAT?

Although what most fans know of Wicked is family-friendly, Maguire’s novel is a lot more mature, featuring a range of adult themes.

Calamito, a Wizard of Oz historian and collector, shared her own experience of reading it for the first time at age 11 on her TikTok page, advising fellow parents that it may not be entirely appropriate for young readers.

“They’re going to go home and read this, and they’re going to have a lot of questions for their parents,” she said in the video.

Though she didn’t discourage young readers entirely, adding that if asked, she would let her own daughter read the novel with the added ability to ask her questions when necessary, Calamito said it’s important that parents are aware of its contents before making the purchase.

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire is a life-changing, incredible novel, and when your children are of age, I would strongly suggest reading this,” she said.

“If you are parents who maybe don’t want your kids to know about certain topics until they’re a little bit older, maybe wait.”

‘Holy smokes, it’s so adult!’

Commenters on the original video shared their own personal anecdotes of reading the book at too young an age.

“Reading Wicked too young is a canon event for theatre kids,” one said.

“I was 14 when my parents got it for me after I became obsessed with the Broadway musical,” said another.

“14-year-old me was not prepared!”

The book’s contents have been considered jarring, even by adults.

“I started reading ‘Wicked’ this month in prep of the movie and holy smokes it’s so adult,” a commenter said.

However, others shared more positive experiences.

“I read it when I was 13-14 and loved it,” one commenter said.

“My mum had read it first, funnily enough she’d been telling me all about it as she was reading it and I was really excited to read it.”

Originally published as Parent's warning over 'Wicked' book ahead of movie’s release