Gregory Maguire is an American author best known for his novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, published in 1995. This book reimagines the story of the Wicked Witch of the West from L. Frank Baum's classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Maguire's work often explores themes of identity, morality, and the complexity of good and evil. In addition to Wicked, Maguire has written several other novels, including Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister and Lost. His storytelling often blends fantasy with social commentary, appealing to both young adults and older readers. Maguire's unique perspective has made him a prominent figure in contemporary literature.