Gregory Maguire Debuts A Wild Winter Swan

BY CYNTHIA BAUDENDISTEL

Concord, Massachusetts can claim many famous sons and daughters, including writers, philosophers, revolutionaries, and educators. Among that august group stands Gregory Maguire – author, educator, philanthropist, and champion for literacy and literature education.

He is best known as the author of more than 40 children’s books, short stories, novels for adults, and non-fiction works. From the international best-seller and Broadway hit Wicked, to Egg and Spoon, Gregory’s works have captured the imagination of readers around the world.

His newest book, A Wild Winter Swan, takes us into the world of Laura, a lonely young girl whose brother’s death and mother’s emotional breakdown have left her living with her grandparents in Manhattan. When a swan boy lands on her roof with a broken wing, Laura is determined to keep him hidden as she builds a new wing so he can fly home. As with many of Gregory’s books, A Wild Winter Swan explores themes common to us all, including loneliness, family, and the magic – and pain – of growing up.

Gregory and his husband, the celebrated artist Andy Newman, make their home in Concord and it is here that they’ve raised their three children, creating a safe, secure, and magical place for them all. We sat down with Gregory and Andy last year to talk about their lives, their family, and what makes Concord so special to them.

Gregory Maguire

©Helen Newman

You can read more about them in the Winter 2019 issue of Discover Concord available online at discoverconcordma.com.

A Wild Winter Swan can be found at The Concord Bookshop and at the Concord Free Public Library.