Oh god, there are tons of differences...obvious spoilers ahead.
Elphaba's dad isn't the govenor, just a preacher/minister.
Nessarose doesn't have arms but has fully functual legs.
Elphaba doesn't like magic and isn't very good at it in the novel.
Fieyro dies in Elphaba's apartment by being beaten to death by some of the Wizard's followers. Near the middle of the book too...and even so he gets WAY more developed than the one in the musical.
Dr. Dillamond gets his throat slit (I think) he dies, obviously.
There is a lot of time spent with Elphaba's family and her upbringing.
Boq is a friend of Elphabas from childhood, Elphaba helps Boq meet Glinda.
Glinda doesn't really hate Elphaba and doesn't try outwardly to insult of embarrass her. Once Dr. Dillamond is murdered Glinda realizes all her friends are mean losers and disregards them for Elphie.
There is a sub-plot with Fieyro's wife and Elphaba.
Nessarose and Boq don't have a relationship.
Elphaba is a very harsh person is the novel...not evil or anything just a bit mean.
There are a few for now. I'll put up some more later.
Updated On: 9/20/04 at 06:52 PM