Search - Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Fairy tale retelling, interesting reading and silly at times, but like the other Maguire book I've read before--Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister--I found it to be a bit slow and draggy in spots, and my attention wandered. Definitely not as good as all the hype had me hoping for. Still, I found the speculation as to the origins of Glinda and Elphaba--and her dead sister and the ruby (actually silver) slippers from L. Frank Baum's tale quite interesting and amusing, as were the political machinations that got the Wizard where was when Dorothy came on the scene a few years later. Maguire certainly has an imagination! I’d like to see the Broadway production of this, though--I bet that would be something!

Not at all like the musical. If this is why you want to read the book you will be disappointed.

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire begins decades before Dorothy falls into the scene, with the birth of a strangely green baby girl who has unusually sharp teeth. We follow Elphaba as she grows up, attends university, and falls into the political turmoil behind the scenes at the Emerald City. Maguire paints a detailed background of the realistic politics that shape Oz into the country it is when Dorothy arrives. The Wicked Witch of the West may be a tortured soul, but for different reasons than you had previously thought. The book is perfectly understandable even if you have never seen the movie or read the original book, but several parts are much funnier if you have. The end of the story can drag on if you are not interested in introspective psychological monologues, but flipping past a few pages of internal commentary can speed the story along.

Literary Quality: 8/10

Enjoyment: 8/10

This book is great. Be prepared that it will not follow your idea of "Oz" with respect to the movie. There are definate "religious" and political undertones. However it will capture your imagination and you won't be able to put it down.

A good, if rather long, read concerning the Wicked Witch of the West's side of the story. Dragged a bit here and there, but worth taking the time and reading.

Impossible for anyone who hasn't read the book to believe that they'd be able to suspend disbelief enough to accept the Wicked Witch of the West as the "good guy." My son-in-law nearly disowned me when I tried to describe the book to him.

Still, this book can and does make you believe it!

You'll never look at Oz the same way after reading this book. But don't worry, Judy Garland singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" will still sound good to you if it does now.

A fascinating look from another perspective of the characters from The Wizard of Oz. A little difficult to get into the language (some words that were supposedly 'common' but were never really explained) but other than that, really enjoyable.

Really a great book, and a lot darker than you're probably expecting.

This book was awful! Boring, boring, boring! AND HORRID!

A good book. Story drags on in some places.

Torture

I had a hard time getting in to the story with all the fictional names and places but it was worth sticking with it! I can't wait to read Son of a Witch next.

One of the best books i've read in a very long time. Captivating and a great read! I couldn't wait to read the sequel, son of a witch. This book totally changed my perspective on the movie the wizard of Oz. I recommend it to all my friends and family!

very engrossing. i liked the use of the original wizard of oz, and the way it put a different spin on our perception of the (fictional) truth.

Interesting slant. Sometimes slow, but not that bad. Makes me wonder how people come up with so many details.

An enchanted book that takes a close look at good and evil through the life of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West who lives out her days in the Land of Oz. A great read!

It was a difficult read but I couldn't wait to finish because it was such an interesting idea.

This is my second favorite Maguire book (right behind Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister); I loved how the Wicked Witch of the West grew up and had a heart for animal rights. The tale was intreguing and kept a good pace with lots of unexpected turns for me. Maguire's imagination was fantastic in this one.

I could not put it down.... and while it wasn't at all what I was expecting it was still a great story!

Not exactly what I was expecting. It doesn't hold the innocence of the Wizard of Oz.