Anyone familiar with the world of Broadway will know of the hit musical "Wicked." This retelling of L. Frank Baum's classic "The Wizard of Oz" features lovable characters, memorable music numbers and dazzling visuals that you're not soon to forget. I've yet to meet a fan of musical theatre who has not loved "Wicked" at some point in their life.

Even more impressive, I would argue, is the book on which the musical is based.

Broadway's "Wicked" is heavily inspired by Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" (from here on, I'll be referring to the novel when I say Wicked, because that title is a mouthful).

Let me tell you, this "Wicked" is nowhere near as glitzy as its onstage counterpart. It's been about two or three years since I last read "Wicked," but whenever I'm asked to recommend a book to someone, my mind always goes to this one. For those familiar with neither the book nor the musical, "Wicked" is a retelling of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" that centers around the Wicked Witch of the West, also known as Elphaba. It follows her through five stages of her life, and delves into the nuances of her character and how a villain is created. Additionally, Oz is explored as a functioning society that faces conflict at multiple levels, many of which being similar to issues we experience in the real world.

This book is special in that it flips all of the perspectives we have of the classic characters in the original stories. Baum's story thoroughly relied on the importance of one's intentions, and how they can shape who you are (such as the Scarecrow becoming smart, the Cowardly Lion becoming brave, etc.). Maguire expounds on this message, but stresses the idea that intentions alone are not enough to win the acceptance of others. If they were, the Wicked Witch of the West would undoubtedly be a hero to Oz.

The reason that I always suggest this book (as my favorite novel) is because of how much it frustrated me. I could suggest a feel-good book, but I like the ones that linger and make you seriously think. I think no other has done more so (for me, at least) than "Wicked." It broke down something within me that has since allowed me to more thoroughly understand what exactly social injustice is. It's messy, and seldom is it fixed just by one's good intentions.

To keep it simple, "Wicked" is so powerful in how relevant it is to the world we live in. I think that even though it was written in 1995, the book encapsulates how difficult it is for an ordinary person (especially one that faces societal prejudice) to make the difference they want to make in the world without outside help in this day and age. Ultimately, the novel shows how trying to help others can help us see the limitations that society places on our own selves, and how frustrating those limitations can be. It's definitely a "Go break the glass ceiling, but don't be surprised if it doesn't work out" type of book.

So if you see Gregory Maguire's "Wicked" in your local "Barnes & Noble" or library, I highly encourage you to pick up a copy and experience it for yourself. It really is a gem, and will leave you questioning more things than you may expect.