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

episode

NPR's Book of the Day not yet transcribed

▲ 0

Transcript

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet Upvotes decide what gets transcribed next — 0 so far. Sign in to upvote

More from NPR's Book of the Day

Marking 25 years since Sept. 11 with 'All the Presidents' Wars' and 'Scattered Steel' 19 min · 11 Sep 2026

Sen. Ted Cruz's new book 'Going Further' praises Justice Clarence Thomas 9 min · 10 Sep 2026

Author Jade Chang on the books she's reading to keep summer going 9 min · 09 Sep 2026

To combat the 'Artificial State,' Jill Lepore says to look to science fiction 8 min · 08 Sep 2026

Author Liane Moriarty on her long-awaited sequel to 'Big Little Lies' 11 min · 07 Sep 2026

New music books take on Paul Simon's 'Graceland' and the history of music and prison 19 min · 04 Sep 2026

All episodes from NPR's Book of the Day →

Report any issue

Source

Recorded24 Dec 2025

Publisherfeeds.npr.org ↗

Handlerec:14895246

Show notes

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/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Sign in