West End Musicals

Gregory Maguire flips Oz upside down, giving the Wicked Witch a backstory full of politics, friendship, and very questionable wizarding leadership. The novel is sharper, denser, and far more subversive than the musical — think fairy tale meets political satire. Maguire builds a fully realized world where nothing is as simple as good versus evil. It’s perfect for readers who love moral grey areas and reimagined classics with bite.

Dive into Victor Hugo’s sprawling, dramatic tale of justice, love, revolution, and very determined policemen. It’s a big book with an even bigger heart, full of unforgettable characters whose lives tangle together in thrilling — and occasionally tear-jerking — ways. Reading it feels like walking the streets of 19th-century Paris with the orchestra swelling behind you. Far richer and stranger than the musical alone, the novel rewards every curious page-turn. A true epic for readers who want to feel absolutely everything, all at once.

This semi-autobiographical classic paints 1930s Berlin with smoky, cabaret-lit vibrancy. Isherwood’s snapshots are sharp, stylish, and strangely intimate, capturing a city on the brink with elegance and wit. Fans of the musical Cabaret will relish seeing where it all began. The book feels like leafing through a moodily glamorous photo album of a world about to change forever.

As the world’s longest-running play, The Mousetrap began as a perfectly crafted Christie mystery. The script is brisk, clever, and full of the classic misdirection Christie fans adore. Reading it feels like solving a puzzle in real time, with each line a tiny clue (or a trap). It's compact, fun, and endlessly re-readable — the theatrical equivalent of a warm cup of tea and a riddle.

Leroux’s gothic mystery introduces the Phantom long before he became a musical icon. The novel is deliciously atmospheric — chandeliers, secret tunnels, masked strangers, and more melodrama than you can shake a cape at. It’s part detective story, part romance, part ghost tale, and entirely captivating. The book plays with rumor and legend, making you wonder what’s real and what’s mere theatre whisper. A perfect read for fans who want a darker, twistier version of the legend.

The novel behind the stylish, snarky sensation is even more deliciously sharp. Weisberger’s satire of fashion-world excess is fast, funny, and packed with outrageous moments that somehow still ring true. Andrea’s chaotic journey through haute couture servitude is both relatable and ridiculous. Perfect for readers who love big personalities, bigger wardrobes, and stories with a wink.

Told from the perspective of a horse, this novel is tender, adventurous, and surprisingly uplifting given its wartime setting. Morpurgo’s writing is gentle but powerful, capturing the bond between Joey and Albert with sincerity. The story moves quickly and is filled with vivid scenes that later inspired the technical wizardry of the stage show. A moving and accessible read for all ages.

Roald Dahl’s beloved story is just as mischievous and magical as the musical — perhaps even more so. Matilda’s cleverness, courage, and quiet rebellion burst off the page with Dahl’s signature wit. The villains are delightfully terrible, the jokes are wonderfully absurd, and the ending is satisfyingly triumphant. It’s short, sharp, and full of charm. A joyful read for anyone who likes their hero small but mighty.

Told as a play script, this story returns to the wizarding world with grown-up Harry, a complicated son, and a time-bending twist that pulls at both nostalgia and nerves. It’s fast, theatrical, and filled with magical set-pieces you can practically see unfolding. The format makes it a breezy, behind-the-scenes-feeling read. Perfect for readers who enjoy alternate timelines, unlikely friendships, and a dash of stage magic.

Fitzgerald’s shimmering portrait of wealth, longing, and bad decisions needs no introduction — but reading it before seeing the musical adds a delicious extra layer of glamour and melancholy. The prose is crisp, witty, and glittering with 1920s decadence. It’s a quick read but lingers long after, especially the messy, magnetic characters. A classic that practically begs for jazz accompaniment.

Paddington’s stories are as charming and gently hilarious as the bear himself. The original book is full of small misadventures, kind strangers, and the irresistible optimism of a marmalade-loving hero. It’s the sort of read that warms you from the inside out. Sweet without being saccharine, it’s perfect for anyone who wants a little joy and silliness in their day.

This eerie little novel is wonderfully old-fashioned in all the right ways: creeping tension, lonely marshes, and just enough ghostly dread to raise goosebumps. Hill’s pacing is tight, her atmosphere deliciously spooky. It’s a quick read that leaves a lingering chill — the perfect prelude to the famously terrifying stage production. Ideal for readers who enjoy scares delivered with subtlety.

Dickens’ tale of pickpockets, found families, and improbable coincidences is as lively and dramatic as any musical adaptation. The novel’s characters — from the Artful Dodger to Fagin — leap off the page with theatrical flair. It’s surprisingly humorous, delightfully twisty, and filled with Victorian charm. A great read for anyone who enjoys a good underdog story with plenty of personality.