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ISBN-13: 9780060987107 - ISBN-10: 0060987103 Publication Date: 11/6/1996 Pages: 406 |
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Book Reviews of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
363 Book Reviews submitted by our Members
sorted by voted most helpful
Cheryl R. (
32 member(s) found this review helpful.
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!
28 member(s) found this review helpful.
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
27 member(s) found this review helpful.
Not at all like the musical. If this is why you want to read the book you will be disappointed.
20 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was awful! Boring, boring, boring! AND HORRID!
19 member(s) found this review helpful.
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.
Jo Anne C. (
16 member(s) found this review helpful.
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.
Kim (
14 member(s) found this review helpful.
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.
12 member(s) found this review helpful.
Really a great book, and a lot darker than you're probably expecting.
10 member(s) found this review helpful.
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.
9 member(s) found this review helpful.
A good book. Story drags on in some places.
Vikki M. (
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
A highly overrated book. It wasn't awful, but fell far short of reaching the magical level of "The Wizard of Oz" and pales even further when you think about what the characters could be.
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
There are few books I've read in my lifetime I disliked more. The only one I can think of right off the top of my head is Catch-22 which I was never able to complete. This book is a thinly veiled attack on religion and anything remotely regarded by the author as constrictive. There are several times when plot developments occur without any reason other than trying to remain within the confines of L. Frank Baum's original stories. Outside of the fact that the names of characters and places are the same as the original story, the book bears little resemblance to the stories written some 100 years ago. It is vulgar, crude, and generally a very boring read.
I cannot in good conscience recommend this book to anyone. I hesitate to even list it to pawn it on anyone else, but I see little reason to keep it in my collection.
Melissa P. (
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Awful book! This is actually the first one that I cannot finish and the first one that gets a 1 star rating from me. I tried desperately to keep reading it because I love the idea behind the story but the plot drags and the character/place names are awful. I made it to page 125 and couldn't take it any more. I had such high hopes and this book fell flat.
Jennifer W. (
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Reviewed by K. Osborn Sullivan for TeensReadToo.com
Have you ever read a popular book and wondered why it was so popular? That's exactly how I felt as I worked my way through WICKED. Actually, that's not entirely true. I know why it's a New York Times Bestseller. Part of it has to do with the reason I picked the book up in the first place. I expected a light, fairy tale-like story. It's based on a children's book. There's a Broadway musical about it. Sounds like it should be fun, right? Uh, not quite. I get the feeling, though, that a lot of people thought as I did and bought WICKED looking for an easy-to-read lead-up to THE WIZARD OF OZ. I wonder how many of them finished reading the book when they figured out the truth?
Although to be fair, WICKED doubtless also owes some of its popularity to the fact that it's a well-written, literary novel that can be appreciated by well-read, literary-type people. Unfortunately, I'm really not one of those. Giving me a piece of deep, meaningful literature is like giving a copy of Hemingway's THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA to a manatee. In other words, I was disappointed. My disappointment was partly in the book for not fulfilling my expectations, and partly in myself for not being able to appreciate a quality literary effort.
In case you've been living in a hollowed out tree for the last couple of years and haven't heard about the play, WICKED is the story of the Wicked Witch of the West and how she became the Wicked Witch of the West. The book delves far deeper into the witch's life and times than any musical could in only two hours, however. In the book version of WICKED, readers are introduced to the witch, whose real name is Elphaba, when she is first born. She's green and has dangerous, pointy teeth. Needless to say, she's not too popular with the other children. Even her parents aren't too sure about her.
As the story progresses, we see Elphaba at college. She falls in with a number of fellow students, some of whom are more and others less accepting of the strange green girl. It's not just her skin color that's different, though. Elphaba thinks and acts differently than other people. And she has this aversion to water.... Well, we all know how that turns out for her.
The book is an interesting departure from the Oz books, including such details as why the Cowardly Lion is able to talk, and the fact that everyone in Oz thought Dorothy's dog, Toto, was the most irritating thing to ever draw breath. I wish, however, that I could have liked some of the characters. No one was particularly likeable, as far as I was concerned. Even Elphaba, who readers should have had some sympathy for, seemed odd to me, and I never understood her motivation for anything she did. In other words, I could have gotten over the fact that she was green, but it really bothered me that she didn't act normal. Also, a word of warning: Even though these are essentially fairy tale characters, this book treats them like adults, complete with sex, swearing, and the occasional murder. Younger readers should steer clear, and older readers should be aware of what's in store here.
In general, I recommend this book for OLDER readers who are huge fans of the Oz books or the Wicked play and want to go deeper. According to my husband, who is capable of appreciating fine literature, it also has literary merit. But for those of us who want to keep our memories of the Oz stories as sweet as the old Judy Garland film was, those readers might want to be careful around WICKED.
Elizabeth Z. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I just couldn't get into this book. While parts were interesting, and the idea of what happened in OZ before Dorothy intrigued me, a lot of the plot just dragged on and on and I couldn't finish the book. I found much of the book too far fetched (even for OZ) and the youthful characters seemed to be too imature and lacked any of the refined characteristics you get from L. Frank Baum (or maybe it's that the characters are too mature, as this is not a children's book). I think if you're looking for a good fantasy story you may enjoy this book, but other than names and places, do not expect this to be the OZ of the original books.
ROB L. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Im not sure what I was expecting prior to reading "Wicked", but whatever it was, I finished the book with a feeling of disappointment. Where the movie "Wizard of Oz" depicts The Wicked Witch of the West as a very wicked witch indeed, "Wicked" characterizes her as a lonely, confused person who isn't sure of herself or where she fits into the convoluted society of OZ.
The Wizard is portrayed as a despot, an unkind person from another world (Kansas, maybe?). A person of questionable morals who felt the laws of OZ didn't pertain to him.
All in all, I felt the author rambled on in many of the chapters, causing me to just put the book down in disgust, only to come back to it later. (I hate to start a book and not finish it. However, I have been known to do just that in some cases!)
In summary, I just don't agree with the reviews on the back cover of the book. I don't see myself reading any of Mr. Maguire's other books. All you members reading my review - remember, not everyone's taste falls along the same lines - take what I have to say with a grain of salt. :o)
Althea M. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I was a little reluctant to read this because it's a Wizard-of-Oz
related book, and I was afraid that I'd really object to what had been
done to L. Frank Baum's characters. But it didn't bother me, probably
because this book really is so entirely different. It's also really
more of a take-off from the movie, not the books, although there are a
few book-references in there as well.
Basically, it takes the character of the Wicked Witch of the West, and
treats her as if she were a real person, a woman named Elphaba, who
just happens to be green - and allergic to water.
The book is mostly a character study, and an exploration of what might
cause a person to be perceived as "wicked." Far from being an innocent
fantasyland, the Oz portrayed here is rife with political conniving,
exploitation, and a plethora of social issues. As she grows up, her
situation shapes Elphaba, but she's also an intelligent, self-aware
person... whose fate, we know, will eventually intersect with Dorothy
Gale.
I enjoyed the book - but I neither thought it was as wonderful as some
reviewers claim - or as much of a "downer" as others have said it was.
Kathy G. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I tried reading this book about three years ago when a friend suggested it to me. I just couldn't get into then. I ordered it as my first book after joining PBS. Again, I really tried to get into this book. I got as far as page 166 before I finally just threw it down in disgust. It is just ridiculous and boring. There just doesn't seem to be any point to it. Too bad I can't get the time back that I wasted on reading it.
Christina B. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I read "Wicked" after I had seen (and loved) the musical. The two do not follow the same story line. I had a tough time getting through the book. Maguire's writing style was difficult for me to read.
Tracey C. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Wow. This book will really make you think.
In this amazing novel, we follow the life of Elphaba, later known as the Wicked Witch of the West, from birth to the bitter end. In between is a gripping tale that ponders the philosophy of good and evil, and makes you rethink your preconceptions of what you think you know.
The 'Wonderful Wizard of Oz' is anything but. More like a ruthless dictator without a shred of compassion or moral decency, let alone a conscience. The politics of Oz are complicated, but compelling, and all roads (including the Yellow Brick Road), lead straight back to the Wizard. Indirectly, as well as directly, his actions shape Elphaba into the person, or Witch, we know her as.
This book is a feast for the brain. I loved the words he used, even when i thought i would need a dictionary. It was a journey through a remarkable and vivid world, on the constant edge of political turmoil. I found the religious arguments on all sides deep and thoughtful. I found myself feeling deeply for the unfortunate girl who had the ill luck of being born with green skin, which in turn colored her life from start to finish (pun intended). Born into a family as screwed up as they come, her dysfunctions are as natural to her as the air we all breathe.
She fights for her entire life to be different, unique, and yes, to do good in the world. Animal rights is her passion, and she fights for justice and equality in Oz even as the odds are stacked against her, and even those who fought with her succumb to normal everyday lives, and forget the righteousness of their former campaigns against evil and tyranny.
Readers will be amazed at how Maguire can turn a story everyone knows into a complex and mesmerizing tale where more than one side lives to be told, and everything comes full circle.
I loved this book. Many people say it is hard to read or slow, but i did not find it to be either. I found it remarkable. The philosophies discussed within will turn you on your head.
My favorite quote from the book:
I don't comprehend religion, although conviction is a concept I'm beginning to get. In any case, someone with a real religious conviction is, I propose, a religious convict, and deserves locking up.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I was surprised by how much I disliked this book. I found it meandering and uninteresting, its characters unlikeable and not particularly compelling, and its point...obscure. Maguire takes pleasure in constantly referencing the complicated history and politics of Oz while rarely elaborating on the backstory he's created - eventually I found this unbearably tedious. One to avoid.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was so full of promise and I chomped my way through the first third of the book, only to really skip through the animals talking part. I wanted this to be be the other side of Oz, but I think it was more about "How thick can I make this book." I am in the book selling business,and definately do NOT recommend this. Our book club realy tanked this one.
Megan P. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I love love love this book! It tells the story of the wicked witch and all the people in her life. Good and evil? or just humans and nature's creature and the choices we make? Hmmm. Excellent intriguing read.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
The idea of this book really fascinated me. However, when I read it, I found it to be too dark for my personal taste. It has several interesting themes but, for me, it was hard to keep reading it. If you would like to explore the theme of the nature of evil, you may find this book a very interesting reach.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Long, barely-readable fanfiction from someone who obviously wanted desperately to write about Munchkin porn.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
The idea of the book seemed captivating and I really really wanted to like it, but there were adulterous and sexual themes and language that ruined it for me. Unable to finish the book with a clear conscience.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Personally, I found this book very difficult to read. I just finished it after about 10 months! (which is very unusual for me, I usually read about a book a week). My problem may have been that I saw the play first. The book drug on & on & I am sorry to say that I didn't find it so enjoyable. But that is why they make chocolate & vanilla, right?
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Was the Witch of the West Wicked? This is the question the prequel to the Wizard of Oz attempts to answer. The concept of the book was inventive but some parts of the story were predictable (or maybe I just didn't like where the story went). I think it must be very hard to grow up green or for that matter in "anyway" that is different from the "norm". In this way it was a fairy tale not unlike the original. All in all, Im glad I read it.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Entertaining for a while, but not meant for people with short attention spans, like me.
J H. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Interesting twist on the story of the wicked witch. Definitely not a children's book. You actually find yourself rooting for her.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was one of the toughest books I've ever read, with unusual names and places making it hard to comprehend. But overall it was a fantastic book and I'm glad I read it! Now looking forward to the Broadway play...
Kristie B. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Loved it! The first Gregory Maguire book I've read, I had to go out and get all the rest!
Sherry L. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Take the wild ride where you see the side of Oz before Dorothy planted her house there. This book is about the lives of the witches of Oz. From birth the little green baby would be known as Elphaba, she would have a very interesting, but difficult path in life. In college she would be roomates with The bubbly, popular, and blonde Galinda, (later to be changed to Glinda). The friendships, the love lifes, the amazing world that Gregory Maguire wrote is magical and keeps you spellbound. Come visit the Witches of Oz!
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I ordered this book because a lot of my friends have read it and liked it. I was warned by another PBS participant that it was hard to get into. It WAS hard to get into. The storyline was good and it was interesting to get the other side of the story... but it was so detail oriented that it felt like a lot of filler. I ended up skipping many paragraphs just to get to the meat of the story. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I have to say, I thought this book was really stupid.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I read this, and then saw the musical. I think if I'd done the opposite, I would have been disappointed. It's not a bad book. It gives you a new perspective on The Wizard of Oz. However it's a little weird and a little bit slow in spots. Some of the things had me going "huh?" a few times.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great in theory, but I found it lacking. The book seemed to build characters and plot lines and then didn't follow through with any result. Overall I was bored with it at the end.
Chelle B. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I liked this book. I thought the entire idea of giving perspective on the behavior on the Wicked Witch and the Good Witch for the Wizard of Oz was quite creative. This seems to be one of those books that will either have you on the edge of your seat or disinterested from the beginning, so it's pretty much a draw. In any case, the story itself will forever change your views of the original Oz books.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I'm a huge wizard of oz fan and i simply hated where the author's imagination took me.
Dana (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was such a creative book. I loved the thought of having the story from the witch's perspective and it was so well-written, my view of Oz will probably stick with this one instead of the original. I just loved it!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Ugh. I could barely get through this book. It took itself way too seriously and was overflowing with hundreds of unnecessary pages of existential meandering.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I'n not the type to abandon a book but I just couldn't finish reading this one. BORING!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Disappointing. :^(
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was very hard to read. I started it at least three times before I could get into it. It was nothing like I expected.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I WAS KIND OF DISAPPOINTED IN THIS BOOK, WITH ALL THE HYPE I EXPECTED SOMETHING FAST PACED, AND COULD KEEP MY INTEREST BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN
Lynn S. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book just didn't cut it for me. I was really looking forward to reading it and it took me a month to get 1/3 of the way into it.
I found it just dragged. Good idea but a very slow and draining read IMHO.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I read this in 2001 after finding it in a book shop in Los Angeles. This was a year or so before the musical debuted. I was a little disappointed. It's dense, more a political drama than a whimsical adventure. When I was in New York the year Wicked debuted on Broadway I was almost reluctant to see the play. If you loved the play, you will be disappointed by the book. It's good, very smartly written, but dense and plodding and really tough to get through. Luckily I read this before I saw the play.
Erica C. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoyed this book so much that I finished it in a single day! Which is no small accomplishment in my life.
It is wonderfully well written and exciting to take a behind-the-scenes look at some old literary characters. Who could have known that even the wicked witch has a story worth hearing!
Dianne S. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great book, although I did come to a point that I thought it dragged on a bit redundantly. Otherwise, I enjoyed it very much and recommend it!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I liked this book it was really strange but also held your attention.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Read the true story of the Wicked Witch of the West. This is hard to put down
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is full of rich detail that immerses you in the world of OZ decades before the time of Dorothy's arrival. Maguire makes us question the nature of good and evil and the human psyche. I picked up this book and lost myself in its pages, not wanting to stop until the last page was turned.
Stacie F. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I wasn't horribly impressed by this, though I did like the story itself. The beginning just dragged a bit too much for my taste and the ending seemed like a cop-out. I liked the middle so much that I've got the rest of his books on my TBR pile though!
Debi H. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Upon its arrival I held it in my hands and stared at the cover for what seemed an eternity. Finally I gently opened the cover, staring down at the image before me for several minutes,I then began my journey into this new world created by Gregory Maguire.
I was mesmerized immediately and couldn't wait to snuggle up with it every free moment and step into the magic once again. Over and over I found myself gasping at vivid descriptions of events , or of what one of the characters was feeling as they lived or recalled in their memories. Lying within the pages,the few illustrations included and the authors imagination you will fall inside a world you would never have imagined as a child reading or watching "The Wizard of Oz".
I can't wait to read the next two in this trilogy and see where it will take me. I hope you too will enjoy this one. Blessings Bright & Dark...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoyed this book. Maguire addresses a lot of interesting issues brought up by the original story. Remember, this is based on the novel, not the movie. Certain details will be different if you're only familiar with the movie. This is a deep read, but not difficult. If you like debating the origins, and even the very definition, of things like evil, this is the book for you!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoyed the book and the story. The background details are a little long and heavy, but it's a good story.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I had a hard time reading this book. The storyline was great, but the way it was written made it difficult to keep my attention. Hopefully one day I'll be able to see the play and enjoy it much more. I will say it is a must read - if you can make yourself plow thru it - because some times it did feel like work to keep on reading.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
i was not impressed at all with this book. i waited so long to finally read it that i was very excited to recieve it in the mail. i normally will only take a few days to read a book, sometimes devouring books in mere hours, but this book took me 2 weeks to read. there was so much hype about this book, especially since it had been made into a broadway musical, and it had been very highly recommended by several friends, but it left me wanting. i understood the premise alright, a reworking of frank l baum's wizard of oz, a prequel if you will, only told from the perspective of the wicked witch of the west. i anticipated humor, wit, tongue-in-cheek parody. what i got was a book about politics. on top of that it was the politics of a made up society that i have nothing invested in. for the life of me, i just couldn't make myself care about this book, its characters or the politics. the characters were superficial to me, lacking any depth or personality at all. The main character, elphaba, was vague with her thoughts and emotions, even with the reader, and left me wondering what her thinking was behind her actions and that made it very hard to care about her at all. the time frame of the book seemed off to me too. about the time i'd start to immerse myself in the story line the time frame would jump ahead, several years ahead in fact, and just pick up like you are of aware of what took place between where it stopped and now. it was distracting, i found myself asking,"what happened next?". Anyway, i do not think i will be reading any more of mr. maguire's books. i do not care to read another story that makes no sense and leaves me frustrated that i just wasted time on a story that didnt take me anywhere or teach me anything. that makes me truly sad...how i wanted to be able to say that this was one of the best books id ever read, but alas, it was not. not even close.
Deborah W. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A lot different from the Musical, but still a good read... Deals with a lot of i]perception issues
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book started off slow, but once I got into I couldn't stop reading. I've heard you either love it or hate, and I liked it enough to want to read the next two books in the series!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is one of my favorite books. It gives you another perspective on the characters of the Wizard of Oz. Elphaba, the witch and heroine of the story is really not so bad. She was desperately misunderstood by society and circumstances made her out to be so evil. There are a lot of political undertones in the book and it was much more serious than the musical or the movie. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series- Son of a Witch.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This one didn't impress me much. The author had a very interesting idea, but got so tied up with the desire to comment on society and human nature that he left holes in the story. Hopefully "Son of a Witch" is better, though I haven't picked that one up yet.
Katrina S. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
not the easiest read, but well worth it. It is very dark and political, but good. maquire can get mixed up in the details like tolkein but it just takes a little more effort and patience to get through. Back in 1998, this was first time I had seen of re-telling a classic story from the so called villians perspective and it blew me away.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book changed my life.
I re-read it like once a year.
This book is everything a novel should be and more - it's attention to detail is amazing but it never feels small. Everything that I've read by Gregory Maquire has been great and this is my personal favorite of his.
You should read it.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book. It was great.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
The author's elaboration of the classic, the Wizard of Oz, particularly from the Wicked Witch of the West's perspective, was very well written. Where does evil come from? Are some born to it? Or, are they, possibly, just doing the best they can in the circumstances they are in and are misinterpreted by others? What is morality? The author takes on these kinds of questions from the Witch's perspective. I found it fascinating, and ordered the sequel, Son of a Witch.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Wow!
This novel is so much more than a mere novel. Let me start by stating two things: 1) I have read many Maguire novels in the past, and this is by far the best, and 2) I love the "other side" of the story novels.
Wicked is about Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, from The Oz novels, or for most of us, from the Wizard of Oz film. I am fascinated when authors give us the "other side" of these novels. By playing with classics, these authors actually corrupt our prior knowledge of characters that are almost historic. By this I mean, that when you play with the Wizard of Oz, and make Dorothy the sub-plot and the Witch the main plot, it makes one realize the layers of all stories....like for instance, what we think of as history. Isn't history subjective also? We learn historic events through authors, and their bias and subjectivity are naturally captured in their writings, and Maguire puts his own spin on the wonderful world of Oz. Anyway, I digress.
Not only is this novel about the Witch, or Elphaba, but it is also about the fictional world of Oz. Again, what is reality and what is fiction? I cannot help but ponder these ideas because Maguire makes us think about society, prejudice, and oppression throughout this wonderful novel, and he presents his ideas so eloquently. I do not know what genre this novel gets classified into, probably fiction, but I think it is more of a science fiction novel. Not the Star Trek kind of sience fiction, but the Ursula Leguin's Left Hand of Darkness type of science fiction. Wicked makes us think of utopian societies, and dysfunctional ones.
Maguire creates a fictional world for us in this novel. Or, does he? It is eerily reminiscent of the same oppressions and power struggles in our world......if you keep the Nazi's rise to power in the back of your mind, this novel is downright frightening at times. I could not help but compare the oppression of Maguire's Animals with the oppression of Jews in Hitler's Germany.
But again, I digress. Elphaba, the wicked witch, is not wicked at all in this tale. She is the "misunderstood rebel" fighting against the oppression of the...well, the oppressed. This is truly her story: how she was conceived, her childhood, her student years and her adulthood. She is not the carciture of evil presented in the famous film: I must confess here that I have never read Braum's novels, but I think I may have to. I have a feeling the film did to his novels, what Disney did to Lewis Carroll's Looking Glass.
Please, Please please read Wicked. Even if you have read Mirror, Mirror and not enjoyed it (which I didn't), give this one a try. There are so many statements about society, family, and power relations throughout this novel, that it should be taught as a college course somewhere. It is incredibly insightful, but more importantly, it makes the reader think and wonder. Isn't that what our novels should be doing? So few novels do this anymore that it almost comes as a shock when one does.
So think and wonder and read Wicked. If only to read the sequel, A Son of a Witch. With a title like that, how can you not read it?
Shanan O. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Super fun reading. The Wizard of Oz from the witch's point of view, with lots of political themes and undertones. The play is fantastic - the book is much more affecting.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a great book that delves into the political machinations of Oz. It is an adult book and the musical made from this book was fabulous! This presented a whole new perspective on the beloved "candy coated" land of Oz that we all grew up with- terrific book that requires some in-depth thinking on the reader’s behalf.
Roxy F. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really wanted to like this book. It was getting rave reviews as a musical, but wasn't coming to Los Angeles for quite a while. The concept sounded great: Tell the story of the antagonist. Not just the story from the point of view of the antagonist, like Jon Scieszka's Wolf version of "The Three Little Pigs," but a real meaty story that has almost nothing to do with Dorothy. I really wanted to like it...
Unfortunately, I just couldn't get around Gregory Maguire's style. The first few chapters were interesting, but then it became much more verbose and, at the same time, vague and distant from the events. I guess a good analogy would be a movie that starts off looking good, but then the image starts getting fuzzy around the edges. And then the camera starts shooting from a distance so you aren't exactly sure what you're supposed to be paying attention to. And the image gets even fuzzier so you're not exactly sure what you're looking at.
I really wanted to like it. It was a good concept with an interesting, but poorly executed, plot. I don't think I will read another of his books any time soon.
Stacie G. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
The book was not what I was expecting. It stayed with me well after I had read it, but only because I was left wondering about a lot of things. Nothing was written as though Elphaba was speaking for herself. It could have been more interesting. Some parts dragged.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I read "Confessions" first and I loved it, so I decided to read the best sold of all of Maguire's book to follow and I have to say I was throughly disappointed. Wicked was not my cup of tea. Full of political, and religious points of view and lacking in the magical department. It certainly is not a book to enjoy as a summer reading and leaves a bad taste on what you thought was a fantastic idea- to dwell on the history of the infamous witch. He mentions elements that are never throughly explained (color of skin, aversion to water, unloved son) but leaves the reader looking for answers-not enough of an explanation. It just lacks creativity in the punch line department. Also the dialogue of good and evil is very uninteresting and gives the reader no real sense of purpose. I wouldn't recommend this book. It was not only boring, but forgettable and I think I prefer to stick to the original fairy tale of the Wizard of Oz, at least that was completely and utterly magical.
Perla A. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
OMG the 1st chapter dragged on for too long. I found it engaging at times, but overall I felt I had to force myself to finish because I dislike starting a book and not finishing it. I read it because of all the rave reviews for the play, which I haven't seen, and ended up stumped over how they could turn this book into a musical!
Elphaba was an interesting yet likable character. It truly gives the life story of Elphaba from when she was born through to the end. Dorothy and her sidekicks are mentioned on occasion which was neat to remember the movie and see how The Wicked Witch tied in and understanding where she was coming from. Like another reviewer mentioned, there are many political and religious undertones if you don't mind that sort of stuff. Please note that the chapters were often too long.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was extremely difficult for me to get through and I am not entirely sure why I stuck it out and read the entire story. I put it down three times to read other books that I consumed quite fast. The author spends a lot of time on detail and is thorough in explanation, but the writing style was hard for me to become engaged by the story.
Paula B. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was a pleasant surprise. I don't like musicals or the Wizard of Oz movie very much, but I was intrigued about the back story of the Wicked Witch of the West. You don't have to be a fan of either to really enjoy this book, although familiarity with the story helps add to the fun of this book. The book makes some good points about faith, religion and our perception of good and evil. Overall a very satisfying read.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
If you loved the musical, you may be disappointed by this book as I've been told it is nothing like the musical. However, I have never seen the musical, so approached the book with no preconceived notions. The characters were interesting and quirky, and the setting was fascinating, but the plot moves slowly and didn't integrated the story of Dorothy and the Wizard more as an after thought. Overall, though, it was an enjoyable book.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really loved this book, and am so glad that the author has chosen to continue the story. He addressed the concept of evil from all perspectives and angles, through smart dialogue and an audience's view of the Witch's life and things that shaped her - outside influences, as well as personal decisions. There were some unanswered questions at the end, and I wasn't completely sure if were supposed to assume the answer, or if they are answered in the next books. I'm only a chapter or two into Son of a Witch as I write this, but am already enjoying it immensely.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is a must for fantasy buffs. Throw out all you know about Oz and prepare to delve into a magnificent retelling of a childhood fav. If you expect it to be nice and sweet, it is not. It's an adult version of the Wizard of Oz.
Tera A. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
this is a twist on the wizrd of oz story. this is told from the wicked witch side of the story. Showing you how and why she becomes what she is. Almost feel sorry for the wicked witch with the side of the story, because she didn't have an easy life. I almost think if certain things hadn't happened she might have been a good witch too. But of course then we wouldn't have the Wizard of OZ.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
The author was hard to follow. He just kept talking about things that did not even matter. Not a quick easy read. The only reason I finished the book was to see his version of the end where the Witch and Dorothy meet. If not for that, I would have stopped reading and not finished it. After you read so much and try to follow all of his blah... blah... blah..., you want to see what happens in the end. It was nice to hear and see about Oz before Dorothy, where the Witch came from and all. I believe it could have been better, with a completely different storyline.
Liz F. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I cannot recommend this book for anything other than burning. I am sorry to even have it listed here. It's a very good thing that I did not spend the $15.00 on this paperback that someone did. I apologize in advance for passing it along through the system.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is one of my all-time favorite books - definitely Maquire's best. The musical is just a small piece of the story. Its incredibly creative and actually made me feel sorry for the Wicked Witch.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I'd read and enjoyed Confessions of an Ugly Step Sister, so picked this up too. The beginning was engrossing, but the more I read, the more I had to force myself to continue. After a while it begins to feel too long, too slow and pointless. I did finally finish it, but more because I'm stubborn than because I wanted to.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
The first 2/3s of this book were awesome. It's like Maguire got bored writing it toward the end. It just kinda fizzled out.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Can be quite confusing even when you know the Wizard of Oz story well. If you're not familiar with Munchkinland and the Emerald City, don't bother reading this until you at least watch the movie. But the book is a must read before you see the Broadway show or you'll never get what's going on.
Nweisha D. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is one of my favorite. It is very political in nature, makes you feel every emotion that is written. Yes, it is a little tough to get through if you aneed to have your books tell you what to think. Very intricately woven tale that has you loving and hating the characters simultaneously.
Glue this book to your hands, you wont regret it!
Dena W. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I had read one of Maguire's earlier books, and really had to trudge through it. It was painful, but I tried to finish it for my book club.
When this one was chosen years later, I was not thrilled; however, I was pleasantly surprised. It was so much better. He has drastically improved. This was a great read, and you really forget it is fiction about a land that never did exist. In discussion, several of us would refer to the story as "back when things were...." And then we'd realize that things never were that way because it was fiction. I say that just to let you know that you totally immerse yourself in it.
If you've read Maguire before and not been impressed, give this one a try. It is refreshing.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is not the glossed over MGM version of events. It gives an in depth look at what it was like to be GREEN. All of these books tie together. Wicked, Son of a Witch, Mirror Mirror, and Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. They prove the fact that there are indeed two sides to every story.
If you have read the original versions of Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz,or the Return to Oz books, you would realize the book version is very dark and one sided. I loved all of these books. I see some of the characters in a new light. Mirror, Mirror explains how the Cowardly Lion became so cowardly. How Glenda is more like Kinsella's Shopaholic than a sugar coated fairy.
Just read the books with an open mind and they are thought provoking.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I wish the author didn't feel compelled to write all about sex. It was disgusting. The storylines were good, however. I hope the musical is way different.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I continued reading this book, hoping it would get better. It never did. The idea of the story is good, but the telling of it was boring, almost pointless. The Witch seemed powerless and clueless. There was nothing really special about Elphaba. I don't think Elphaba's character very well developed. I was hoping to see her bloom throughout the book into some awesome witch, whom everyone claimed to be wicked. In hindsight, I liked the idea of the Wizard as the bad guy, instead of Elphaba.
Brooke K. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved the point of view of this book. It was interesting to see this story told complete with back story and how things came to be in Oz. It is very political but only helps to develop the characters into a more adult genre than expected.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Started out interesting but then got weird. Long-winded.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book started out very good, but then I had a hard time finishing it. It lost me about 1/2 thru, I did hear though that the play was fantastic.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Pretty interesting read! Learned a lot about the land of OZ that you don't think about when you watch The Wizard of Oz. You find out what make the wicked witch tick.
Brandon J. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Don't go into this book expecting anything. And I don't mean that in a bad way! This book is really one of the most unique, unclassifiable things I have ever had the pleasure to read. We all know the familiar story of Dorothy Gale's adventures in the magical land of Oz, and how, in the initial novel, a wicked old green witch tries to kill her for some shoes. But we never got to hear the story from the witch's perspective, did we? Don't miss this book, and don't think it's merely a gimmick to make money. It's far more than that. It's highly literary and mixes such opposite genres like fantasy, politics, drama, romance, and character study. Very interesting stuff, highly recommended!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
It was just OK for me. It did drag on at times, but I tried to perserveer. I unfortunately could not get thru the whole book. Not because I couldn't stand it; it was just too slow for me.
The author definately has a great imagination though.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I had no idea what to expect of this book. It was the most bizarre, intruiging book I have ever read! The imagination of Mr. Maguire knows no bounds. The book was interesting and keep me interested to the end. I can't wait to read "The Ugly Stepsister"!
LUCAS V. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I HIGHLY ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THAT THEY CANT KEEP UP WITH IT AND NEVER FINISH IT. I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. I THOUGHT IT WAS HILARIOUS. ITS DEFINATLY AIMED AT ADULTS THOUGH. SO MAYBE THATS THE PROBLEM.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
OK, I'll admit, I could not finish this book. The language is not easy to read and the story is ver convoluted. I saw the musical while reading this book and laughed as they made it a G version of an R rated book. Be warned, parts of this book are VERY risque. Gave it 2 stars.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
If you really like long-winded books, you'll love this one. I couldn't wait for it to end.
Brandy H. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Definately one of the best books I've ever read. I fell in love with Elphaba (aka Wicked Witch of the West). It wasn't an easy book to read. I really had to devote time and attention to it to stay on track. But it was soo worth it. You'll never look at the Wizard of Oz the same way again.
I've not read any other books by this author because this one was so difficult to read and I wanted to wait and find out what people thought about his other books before choosing another title to tackle. I will say that I've heard nothing but terrible things about the sequal to Wicked, Son of a Witch.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book will turn your preconceived notions of who is good and evil upside down. It was thoughtful, dark, and funny all at the same time. If you grew up on the yearly Wizard of Oz movie on TV, you may find yourself enraptured again with this grown-up, "rest of the story" version.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Loved this book and since I am a fan of the Wizard of Oz, it really was interesting to see the background of the witches.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
What a different view of the wicked witch! I loved this book and pretty much any book that twists the old standard fairy tales. You really feel for the poor thing! From the first page I was hooked...this is a must read!
Debra J. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I must say that I really liked this book. It did drag a bit in places but overall I enjoyed it. Very thought provoking on many different levels. I was disappointed with the ending even though that is the way the story goes. I felt the author could have done a better job of it. I would recommend this book to anyone who is open to new ideas and is not easily shocked.
Matt B. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Maguire's novel is not like Oz books, or the movie, or the musical, so readers on the look-out for the wistfully pretty should look to the originals. But it’ll interest readers who are impatient with jewelry souped up with magic, heroes of obscure origin, crusty masters with hearts of gold, trusty sidekicks, etc. etc. Maguire assumes that we’re carrying baggage from previous excursions to Oz and he forces presumptuous readers - like me - that are assuming a predictable brand to be more open-minded, liable to surprise. It’s a prequel to the first Oz novel (i.e., the 1939 movie), with an interesting takes on the title character, who is hard to like but ultimately sympathetic, and the Wizard, a nowhere-man out of his depth who does terrible things. The discussions of evil are a challenge. I found sobering his portrait of Oz as a Stalinist-Maoist state, that is, an authoritarian system where power is held by a military-bureaucratic class. Not at all what I was expecting. I couldn’t put this engrossing novel down.
Kathy H. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I couldn't make it through the book. I saw the musical and thought, hmmm maybe I'll read the book.
I couldn't get into it. Its slow, and uninteresting. I found my mind wandering while reading it, and so I just put it down.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I ran out and bought this book after having seen the stage show in Atlanta, and to be fair to the book, my best friend warned me that the book is much darker than the stage show. The book is, indeed, darker. But, it is also overly complicated and tedious, especially the beginning. I felt that it was almost supposed to be some sort of riddle that the reader should have had the knowledge to decipher. It did get better as it went. There are a lot of more adult themes in this fairytale retelling. Teenagers who like the stage should probably are too young to read this one. Overall, I was disappointed, but that's just a personal opinion.
Karee L. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I was disappointed with this book. I love to see the other side of a story which this shows but the author tried too hard to be subversive for me to be able to enjoy the story.
Yvonne
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
i totally enjoyed this book...couldnt put it down...
(
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is really a quirky story that flips the Wizard of Oz story on its head... I wanted to read it before I went to see the musical Wicked, although I understand it is pretty different from this book. All about the Wicked Witch of the West... birth to death. She isn't really as wicked as she appears... just unappreciated by her family, tormented by injustice, conflicted in love, and searching for meaning (aren't we all?!?). I liked it and recommend it. I agree with others who have reviewed it here who say the story moved slowly in parts... this is true, but all in all it is interesting and worth the read.
Kimberly G. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I think it is over written. I was hoping for a book that would bring you back to the fascination of the original characters and Land of Oz, give some depth into the Wicked Witch and yes make you see a different side to her. But you have to read through so much political and religious views that there were many times I was cursing the author and wishing I never picked up the book. I don't know that I will read another book by this author. They take way too long to get into and then have you struggling to hold on and finish the book.
You do however come away with a new view of the wicked witch and it's one that she isn't wicked at all.
I do still want to see the musical and would hope that the time constraint would not allow for the story to be dragged out as horribly as it was in this book.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
After reading this book I now feel sorry for the Wicked Witch of the West. You must have an open mind to read this.
Brenna B. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
All in all, this was a very interesting story on perspective and how things aren't always as they seem or as we believe them to be. It did drag in spots, but I am curious to read the other 2 books in the series. I think the author did a wonderful job of fleshing out Oz as a possible place rather than making it too good to be real (the characters have flaws, for instance, even those who are the "good guys"). He presents the "Wicked Witch of the West" as a sympathetic character without making her a "goodie-goodie."
April K. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really liked this book. The alternate story of the wicked witch gives a new perspective on the Wizard Of Oz. I have since read other books by Maguire. And I think out of all of them this one here is this best.
Michelle M. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
From Publishers Weekly
Born with green skin and huge teeth, like a dragon, the free-spirited Elphaba grows up to be an anti-totalitarian agitator, an animal-rights activist, a nun, then a nurse who tends the dying and, ultimately, the headstrong Wicked Witch of the West in the land of Oz. Maguire's strange and imaginative postmodernist fable uses L. Frank Baum's Wonderful Wizard of Oz as a springboard to create a tense realm inhabited by humans, talking animals (a rhino librarian, a goat physician), Munchkinlanders, dwarves and various tribes. The Wizard of Oz, emperor of this dystopian dictatorship, promotes Industrial Modern architecture and restricts animals' right to freedom of travel; his holy book is an ancient manuscript of magic that was clairvoyantly located by Madam Blavatsky 40 years earlier. Much of the narrative concerns Elphaba's troubled youth (she is raised by a giddy alcoholic mother and a hermitlike minister father who transmits to her his habits of loathing and self-hatred) and with her student years. Dorothy appears only near novel's end, as her house crash-lands on Elphaba's sister, the Wicked Witch of the East, in an accident that sets Elphaba on the trail of the girl from Kansasas well as the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman and the Lion and her fabulous new shoes. Maguire combines puckish humor and bracing pessimism in this fantastical meditation on good and evil, God and free will, which should, despite being far removed in spirit from the Baum books, captivate devotees of fantasy.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
If you're a fan of The Wizard of Oz, you will probably be thoroughly amused by this book. It's a cute retelling of the story of Oz from the wicked witch of the west's point of view, from the time she was a green, sharp-toothed baby. Adventure, intrigue, and (gasp!) even witch sex. I thought it was awfully cute and clever. Well done.
Jennifer B. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was the best book I have read in a while It was so great that I ran to the store just after reading it and got the second one 'Son of a Witch' SUCH a good book run out and read it today!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
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.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really enjoyed this book. It's quite different from the play, but quite interesting to get the whole story. It's very detailed, and political.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I purchased this book when it was first released in paperback, I attempted to read it then, became bored and placed it on a bookshelf to try at a later time. Three or Four years later I tried again. I am VERY pleased that I did. This book was fantastic! It provided such an insight into the life of the Wicked Witch of the West that even though it is entirely fiction you begin to think differently about the book and movie, "The Wizard of Oz". Simply fantastic!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoyed this book so much that I went and read the original "Wizard of Oz".
Gregory Maguire rendition of OZ in it's early beginnings pre-Dorothy is fantastic.
Kristin T. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
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!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
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.
Darlene S. - PA reviewed on 5/11/2008...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Interesting slant. Sometimes slow, but not that bad. Makes me wonder how people come up with so many details.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
An interesting, sort of philosophical look at evil and its various guises. An overly-rosy viewpoint of kindheartedness is assaigned to the wicked witch of the west, but it is a look at who writes history and how it is shaded. I found Oz more believable in this story than in the original cultural myth...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
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!
Bonnie (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
It was a difficult read but I couldn't wait to finish because it was such an interesting idea.
Charlene P. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
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.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I could not put it down.... and while it wasn't at all what I was expecting it was still a great story!
Stacey P. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Not exactly what I was expecting. It doesn't hold the innocence of the Wizard of Oz.
Kay (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
While the imaginative details describing how the wicked witch came to be who she was were amazing, I found this book to be very dark and had to drag myself through it. We bought tickets to the musical before I started reading, and two chapters into it I was much afraid to take my daughters to see it. BE AWARE: the musical and book share the same tag line and basic characters, but the similarity stops there. The family loved the light hearted musical but I won't let my daughters near the book until they are adults.
Cassandra S. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
An interesting take on the story of Oz. It took me a little while to get into this book, but I'm glad I stuck with it.
Rachel C. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was so captivating I could hardly put it down! Definitely a great new way to look at the classic story of The Wizard of Oz.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I have to admit that I could not get through this book. I found it extremely tiresome. It sat on my shelf for a year, and them I decided to get rid of it.
Brandy S. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Didn't know if I would enjoy this as I'm not a big sci-fi/fantasy fan, but I loved the Wizard of Oz and the concept of the story was interesting. His introductions of side characters (the future Tinman) were subtle, and I ended up enjoying this book. I will definitely read his other stories!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Unreadable - was unable to finish it.
Liza B. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is absolutely awesome. His best in my opinion. You start to feel for the green witch, root for her. Now I have to read the sequel.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Good book, if you're interested in fantasy stuff. Good, though, I liked it.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I was a bit bored of this book after about the first third, and stopped reading it.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I didn't like this book.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
The Wicked Witch of the West as you've never imagined.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
wonderfully creative... interesting creating an entire back story of the wicked witch's childhood and upbringing... not my cup of tea exactly; but very worth the read... the first 30 pages are a slow start - but it picks up...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A must read for any adult who read the Oz books as a child. I LOVED it. There's a bit of sex, but my library has it in the "Older Teen" section.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this story!! I felt so bad for Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) She really wasn't wicked, just different, and amazingly lonely.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Not as good as all the hype made it sound.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Pretty good. Read it a long time ago but remembered enjoying it. Much better than his later books.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I liked it but it was kind of tedious in parts. So much detail without a lot of action. Not exactly what I expected.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Wow, if you want intrigue and politics and dark humour, here's your book.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
The reviews on the back of the book includes "Save a place on the shelf between Alice and The Hobbit - that spot is well deserved." I have to disagree. While I enjoyed the book, it was very dark.. and fairly adult in nature.
Reviews on the book and the idea of The Wicked Witch of the West can easily lead someone to believe that this would be a fun book for younger readers.. perhaps something to read to the kids.. an extension of an all-time children's classic. WRONG. This is NOT for the children.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
It was ok, but it was not really my cup of tea. I am glad that I read it, especially since it's gotten so much attention recently. But I don't think it is a book I would read again, and it did not inspire me to check out any of his other fairy-tale based books. Worth reading, but only once.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
You have to be twisted to read this book about the wicked witch of oz.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I adore fantasy, but before I even got to page 15, I had been introduced to topics that were not acceptable to me as a Christian. I decided to put it down rather than fill my mind with more. I may be offended more easily than most, but I couldn't justify reading what may have been great fiction if it meant sacrificing mental purity that I work very hard to maintain. Maybe I already read the worst and it would be nothing after that--but I decided not to risk it. There are other things just as wonderful that I can spend my time reading.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Ok, ok. I know I'm going to get flamed on this one, but I just can not get into this story whatsoeve. It's really strange since these types of stories are right down my alley. Everyone I know has read and praised this book to no end. I'm sorry guys, I just can't get into Maguire's writing style. It felt like he was trying too hard to be clever. Don't listen to me though; everyone else seems to love it.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
If you have seen the musical, then this book will be a disappointment, since the book is NOTHING like the play. It is sometimes challenging to read, but it offers a very unique perspective into the lives of the characters of the "Wizard of Oz" series by Frank Baum. I liked the book, but I know of several people who saw the musical and then read the book and were very disappointed.
My mother loved the musical and looked forward to reading the book (she, like me, is an avid reader, and generally prefers the book to movies and plays) and then hated it and passed the book onto me. I actually liked the book, but also read it knowing that it was very different from the musical that I really liked.
I did end up skipping several paragraphs because the language of the book was long-winded and convoluted, but I was interested in the "other side of the story" that this novel offered. I grew up adoring the Land of Oz that Dorothy traveled to and it was fun to visit this land again, but from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West. I almsot liked this version better, since it was so sickly sweet as Dorothy tended to be.
I am looking forward to reading "Son of the Witch," so if anyone has that one -- post it!
Valerie P. (
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I really enjoyed this book. It was a "slow" read though...you can't just breeze through it and totally understand it all. It's more of a thinking-outside-of-the-box type book. I will never ever think of anything dealing with the Wizard of Oz the same again. I was so intrigued by the characters, and didn't have any trouble confusing them as some readers have mentioned. I did have to flip to the map in the first few pages a million times though haha! I recommend this book.
Raquel G. (
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I couldn't finish this book. I even tried listening to it on tape. I didn't like any character which made it difficult to get thru the unpleasant parts. Wanted to like it but.....
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I did not like this book at all. It just drug on and on, in fact I could not even finish this book, which is rare for me. I think this is a book you either love or hate, there is no middle ground.
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I raved about this book to everyone I met for the first hundred pages or so. After that, I realized my attention span was waning. The characters are so hard to keep straight and the story seemed to drone on forever. Despite my waning interest, I really wanted to finish the book before I saw the Broadway show. Alas, it didn't happen. I realize that life wasn't over and that I enjoyed the play without having finished the book.
The idea is phenomenal. How creative. The execution and the actual story, however, is one I could not get into.
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this book wasnt really my cup of tea, but i have heard a lot of rave reviews about it.
Marci S. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A great concept, but unfortunately, I tried, but I just couldn't get into this book. The politics of Oz bored me and they took up a substantial amount of this novel. I was delighted to reach the point where Dororthy arrives in Oz, but it seemed the book was rushed to completion. My favourite section of the novel was Elphaba and Galinda's school years together - who'd have thought they would be roommates and friends!
This book definitely sucked - while you come to care for the "wicked witch" she still makes incredibly stupid choices and doesn't stand up for the people in her life... by the end I was just hoping everyone would die and I wouldn't have to think about them anymore.
What an interesting story. I wish I could think up stuff like this. I really enjoyed the book though would have preferred a different ending.
Donna G. (
Colleen T. Beautiful writing and great story on many levels...
absolutely fascinating; absolutely riveting -- the Wizard of Oz had it all wrong!
very good story, a version of Oz from the so called bad gal.
Excellent novel ~ the story of Oz as told by the Wicked Which of the West. If you have seen the play, you will still be captivated by the ending...
Great for the Wizard of Oz lovers, the author's style definitely shines here. A fabulous tale, very imaginative.
Not an easy read, but interesting and intriguing. Gave unique insight into the Witch. I loved, loved, loved the characters.
If you ever wondered about the politics of OZ, this book is for you. Also, if you love the musical, this will give you the insiders track as to what it was all about.
I really liked this book--Gregory Maguire has an innate talent for retelling tales that we all know and love, giving us empathy for characters we might have never felt for before.
Slow moving, especially the 2nd half. I was disappointed that the end seemed rushed and a bit unexplained.
Stephanie M. (
Jenny J. (A good story, but it seemed a little sloooow in the beginning.
I CAN SAY THAT I NEVER KNEW THIS MUCH ABOUT THE "POLITICS" OF OZ. IT WAS AN INTERESTING READ. IT TAKES SOME CONCENTRATION- BUT IN THE END YOU CAN SAY- "YES- I HAVE BEEN TO THE WORLD OF OZ AND SURVIVED." I FOUND MYSELF FEELING SORRY FOR THE WITCH- READ AND SEE WHY!!! :}
I read this book and it's sequel for a Modern Literature class. This is one of my favorite college textbooks!
Kylee P. (Really terrific. Extremely creative. A bit disturbing, but a new favorite.
I enjoyed this, just a touch less than Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, can't wait to read the rest of his books!
This book was a little hard to get into at first, but overall a very good book.
I loved this book, I've read the books from the Wizard of Oz..this is a great behind the scenes read.
The back cover of the book states, "Save a place on the shelf between Alice and the Hobbit..." I would have to disagree. This is not the fairy tale that I had imagined, although I did like the tie-ins with the Wizard of Oz. This is a rather dark story and is definitely an adult book. At times I found it hard to follow. I am glad I read it since I plan to see the musical but I don't plan to read the sequel.
While my book club loved it, I was not impressed. I thought it was a long and tedious read.
I always wondered what kind of life the Wicked Witch experienced. A great read you will not be able to put down!
With a husky voice and a gentle, dramatic manner that will call to mind the image of a patient grandfather reading to an excited gaggle of children, McDonough leisurely narrates this fantastical tale of good and evil, of choice and responsibility. In Maguire's Oz, Elphaba, better known as the Wicked Witch of the West, is not wicked; nor is she a formally schooled witch. Instead, she's an insecure, unfortunately green Munchkinlander who's willing to take radical steps to unseat the tyrannical Wizard of Oz. Using an appropriately brusque voice for the always blunt Elphaba, McDonough relates her tumultuous childhood (spent with an alcoholic mother and a minister father) and eye-opening school years (when she befriends her roommate, Glinda). McDonough's pacing remains frustratingly slow even after the plot picks up, and Elphaba's protracted ruminations on the nature of evil will have some listeners longing for an abridgement. Still, McDonough's excellent portrayals of Elphaba's outspoken, gravel-voiced nanny, Glinda's snobbish friends and the wide-eyed, soft-spoken Dorothy make this excursion to Oz worthwhile.
A different sort of book than I usually read.. but it was very good and I liked the twist ..looking at OZ from a different point of view than Dorothy's.
Maguire tells the story of Oz from the perspective of the villianous Wicked Witch of the West. A good story which questions, "What is 'evil'?". It was difficult to read at times, but worth the effort.
A wonderful read, I couldn't put it down. An interesting view of a story everyone thinks they know. A look into evil and how it is viewed.
Jessica M. (For some reason, I just never got into this book. I read about half of it, but lost interest.
Carolyn F. (Nothing like the Broadway musical - no happy ending here - very strange book, which I did enjoy, but full of philosophical ramblings about the nature of good and evil - have never really read anything else like it -
Fabulous book! Macguire is a great author to make the Wicked Witch of the West an endearing character.
Smart, witty and thought-provoking, Wicked is much more than a fairytale. It's politically charged and entertaining.
The story of the wizard of Oz from the point of view of the Wicked Witch of the West. It was unlike what I was expecting - with truly rounded characters and a complicated, intricate literary universe. Not quite light reading, but definitely easy-to-read, I highly recommend.
One of the best books I've ever read, and the basis of the Broadway play.
It's a very different take from the Wizard of Oz witch I knew as a child.
Jackie T. (Very imaginative and interesting. Be sure to read till the very end.
Bobbie L. (I really liked this book. When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil?
when I was a little girl I absolutely loved the Oz books. I still do...however I am not sure Frank L. Baum would like this book. I tried and I didn't. I think I would just like to keep the memories like they were and not mess them up with this book.
I loved this book. A bit of a long read, but worth it. It's about the backstory to the Wizard of Oz, focusing on the Wicked Witch of the West. Also a major Broadway production.
Very humorous twist on what went on behind the scenes of Oz. A long read for me, but I loved it!
Very interesting, although it does get preachy at points.
About the Wicked Witch of the East, and how she came to be that way..
I refuse to believe this book needs a review, but to sum it up - it's fantastic!
If you are going to see the play, you will want to read this book.
This book was a very interesting take on the young life of the Wicked Witch of the West. I enjoyed it.
Good book! To really enjoy it, you need to watch "The Wizard of Oz" before hand.
Penny A. (Great, great book. The story is a really great twist on the traditional Wizard of OZ and Maguire does a wonderful job of making such one dimensional characters (good which, and other Oz figures) look like people- and not the ones you thought you knew! The only down side to this book is that he goes a little overboard fleshing out the politics of the land...a little boring at those parts.
I really didn't care for this author, so I thought that I would try to find it a new home.
Stephanie S. (An interesting twist on the typical story that everyone knows, about Dorothy and the Wicked Witch of the West. However, we see that Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) is neither as wicked nor as witchy as the one in E. L. Baum's tale. Instead, she has vulnerabilities and heartaches, and must survive against a prejudiced, cold world.
This is an excellent take on what may have made the Wicked Witch of the West so wicked. The author does a great job of weaving a story that leads up to the famous turn of events in The Wizard of Oz. An interesting look at nature vs. nurture and society's role in development. Very entertaining, funny at times and well worth the time to read it.
Cindy B. (An interesting read, to say the least. It's a rather draining book, honestly. A LONG read. I'm undecided whether or not I enjoyed it as much as I thought I would.
A fun, dark and political satire based on the story of the Wicked Witch of the West.
I could NOT get into this book at all. Very disappointing.
The acclaimed "prequel" to THE WIZARD OF OZ-- as you've never thought of it all before!
I'm a real fan of fantasy and I love the Wizard of Oz. WICKED tells the story of the Wizard of Oz from the Wicked Witch of the West's perspective. I think I was expecting something whimsical. WICKED isn't. With this title, I don't know why I was surprised! I didn't particularly like it, probably for this reason, however, I do know people who do. Besides, it's a successful play now, isn't it?
I wanted to love this, but I found myself losing the thread about halfway through and just giving up. This is a fun premise, but the delivery wasn't much fun.
An imaginative, insightful look into the "wicked witch's" side of events in the Land of Oz. It is a kind of a prequel to the Wizard of Oz. Although it was a well written book and excellent story, it left me with a sense of depression.
Imaginative and creative--a twist on the Wizard of Oz story that shows how everyone's perceptions differ.
Much better than I expected. I so totally felt differently about the witches of Oz after reading this book and look forward to reading the book about Elphaba's son.
R B. (This was much better than any of his other books. It is very much a political roadmap to Oz.
Renee C. (Interesting look at the nature of good and evil as we learn the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. You'll not look at the story of the Wizard of Oz quite the same way afterwards.
Entertaining read that gives a twist to the Wizard of Oz. It took me about a month to read it, because it did not capture me the way some novels do.
A wonderful and surprising tale of the 'real' story behind Dorothy's adventure! Definitely surprising. Very good. Not intended for children by any means!
I really miss it on this one. I understand the story is dark, but pointless and poorly written. This book is clearly a sign of how starved the reading population is for a well written fresh story.
The start was a little slow for me but it's a great book. Makes you look at the Wizard of Oz in a whole new way.
Alisa W. (Fantastic read! You'll never watch The Wizard of Oz the same way again.
An interesing book full of metaphore for modern times. A great reader's grouop selection. A little blurb at the end of the new book, Son of a Witch. Left me wanting more.
This is the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, and how she got that way.
Give you a new thought about the Witch of the west and Glinda the Good Witch.
A lot better than the musical, that's for sure. (though the musical is good too)
The "true" story of the Wicked Witch of the West from the WIZARD OF OZ--an interesting fantasy giving the witch's side of the story
Linda M. (Little too long for my taste but some story!!! Gives you a whole new perspective on that green witch.
I loved this book! I love the idea that everyone has their own side to every story. Interesting twist on the Wizard of Oz.
Janette (
Carole M. (I wasn't able to finish this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped. : (
Novel about the orgins and life of the Wicked Witch. I personally didn't like it, it was just a bit too odd for me. And sad. But, apparently it's a popular book, so what do I know?
You definitly dont look at the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy or the Wicked Witch of the West the same after reading this book
Interesting story, clever plot, a little too much detail, but worth reading.
I set this one aside for other books, it just didn't keep my interest. Moved kind of slowly & didn't make me care about the characters.
Janet S. (Wonderful retelling of the fairy tale. Plus a new wrinkle, the politics of OZ. Who knew?
Diane C. (
Margaret D. (Less fabulous than "Confessions ...", but still a fun read. I love the twist on the old fairy tales.
This book will give you a whole new perspective on the Wizard of Oz!
Maggie C. (A very involved tale of a fictional land. This author has a great mind!
I really, really enjoy the music from the musical adaptation of this book. However, I didn't really enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I found it a little slow in some parts and things were honestly a bit on the graphic side.
It wasn't worth the $9 I spent on it, but I hope that it goes to someone who enjoys it more than I did!
Not my style at all. I could not get into the story and found some of the language vile.
This book was not what I was expecting- but it was quite intriguing. Definitely a page turner, despite my lack of firmly grasping some underlying theme of social commentary that my mind glimpsed parts of as I read.
The "f word" was thrown in once or twice, but it seemed as though it was just for shock value.
Certainly worth reading and interesting enough to make me want to read more by this author.
Madeline T. (This was a decent read but VERY difficult to get in to the story line. Took several chapters.
Loved this book! I'll never look at "The Wizard of Oz" in the same light again. Interesting premise and well written.
I heard how spectacular the Broadway show was, but was disappointed in the book.
I tried, I really did. But I just couldn't get into this book.
2 stars = I liked it but... I don't understand the hype with this book. The story was fanciful and interesting. The writing was awkward and spotty. It's worth reading once if you're interested in the book, but I wouldn't read it again.
Sue C. (Wow, what a weird book. It is very complex...and not consistent with the movie. I wouldn't have finished it except that it was for my book club. A few of us decided that this book might very well be the result of an acid trip. ;) Also, I'm told, the book is completely different from the stage/musical version.
This is the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, born a green-skinned girl named Elphaba. She is a smart, prickly & misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good & evil.
Lori S. (Good story but I thought the writing style was difficult to read and keep up with. But, definitely a great story.
A little different from the Broadway show, but a good read.
A little difficult to follow, but what an imaginative story.
Mom wanted me to read this. Otherwise I would have stopped about half way through. I just couldn't get interested after the plot started getting complicated. The first few chapters were gripping. But then there are all of these twists and turns and characters and I just found it all very hard to care about for some reason. I like his childrens books quite a bit. And I do read and like complicated books sometimes, like Infinite Jest. Not macho enough for me maybe? I don't know.
Great read! Insight into the Witch's life, her motivations. Philosophical and entertaining at the same time.
This was definitely a different spin on things. Not what you would ever expect.
Provocative read, but it took me a while to get through.
Susan B. (Our book club loved this book. Not a quick easy read but well worth the effort. Contains reading group guide.
Well, it's got a lot of interesting philosophical points to it, but I'm not in love with it. My cousin was trying to read it and just couldn't get into it. I will admit that if you stick with it, it gains momentum and becomes much better the further you get into it.
Lori C. (More of a social commentary disguised in the retelling of the Wizard of Oz from the Wicked Witch's point of view.
I'm only on chapter 4 but I have to say, this is one of those cases when I think the musical (which I want to see but haven't BTW) has to be better than the story it is based off of.
I mean, while the story is meant to be different, and I know elements of the OZ books are dark (I've read pretty much all of the real OZ series, which has much more depth than the movies) I just don't think Wicked stays true to the written 'authors tone' of OZ.
If it was written in a more sort of 'talking to the reader' way I think I would be able to take it more seriously (I thought it was going to be written in 1st person when I bought it as well) but because it is so 'out there' and on top of it doesn't connect with the reader I think it falls flat many times.
I couldn't finish it. I found it to be boring, slow, and unreadable. It is an acquired taste . . .
A reinterpretation of the Wizard of Oz, as told by the Wicked With of the West. Thought-provoking and adult.
Sandra (I read this because I wanted to know what everyone was talking about. I really didn't enjoy the book. I didn't like his charavters or his writing. Though his idea is a good one, his execution of it was boring. He almost ruined OZ for me.
Really a fun read. I couldn't wait to watch the Wizard of Oz all over again.
Michelle D. (A great book! I like the view from the Wicked Witch that makes her out to maybe not being so wicked after all.....
Fantastic plotting, great characters, such a unique vision of an iconic novel.
It's the story of Oz from the Wicked Witche's point of view. I enjoyed it.
Just could not get into this book and I really tried. But I know many of my Book Group members liked it.
Kimberly I. (When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil?
Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy would so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.
This was a fun twist on the beloved story of "The Wizard of Oz". I liked the way the author gave us a different look at the familiar characters.
Gives an entirely different view of OZ, quite sympathetic to the 'wicked' witch of the west.
Julie M. (Elphaba (the witch) is not a simple character, and Oz is not a simple, fairy tale land. In Wicked, we get to see the history behind "The Wizard of Oz." Wicked is very much a literary work of art. It is a book of social and political commentary, full of people that remind us of our own acquaintances and packed with situations we find ourselves in--or find ourselves avoiding--all too often.
This is an entertaining story, but it is also a story that makes you think. Highly recommended!
I read and liked Mirror Mirror and Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, This book is ten times better!!! Defenitly the best book by this Author
Mary J. (Not what I expected (who knows what I expected) but I really liked this book
Loved this book and I don't normally buy into fantasy. Certainly a creative and intuitively written work of art. Can't wait to read the other ones.
I'm the only one in my book group that liked this book. I read the original Wizard of Oz afterwards which enlarged my enjoyment of this book. It is an odd, odd story.
Maguire rewrites the story of The Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz from the sympathetic perspective of the Witch! The history of the Land of Oz that Maguire creates is magical, as are the twists in perspective he gives this new take on an old story: what's bad becomes good, and vice versa. This book has been turned into a successful broadway musical and Maguire has written several other books along the same lines: "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister," etc.
This was not the easiest book to get through but I was glad I stuck with it.
A wonderful retelling of an old familiar story of Oz but this time from the "witch's" point of view. Excellent read.
From the back of the book: When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the nature of true evil?
Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.
Just awful. If it had been half as racey as it was touted to be, it might have been more interesting.
The book had a lot of political and religious concepts that I didn't fully grasp, but it was interesting. It wasn't anything like what I was expecting. I would like to read of Maguire's work, but will probably not buy the books.
I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down, I carried it with me around the house to read it whenever I could! I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's books!
Rose B. (I loved this book. It really makes you think about the concept to evil vs. good.
This is a prequil to the Wizard of Oz - it tells the story of Elphaba, who becomes the wicked witch of the west. Delightful tale!
Damaris D. (I read alot and I was unable to make it through this book. I am unsure why it is popular.
A really interesting twist on the Oz we all know! I really enjoyed the book for it's different point of view...
Stacey G. (I loved this book - the religion and politics of Oz and all. What an amazing imagination Gregory MaGuire has. I'll never look at the Wicked Witch of the West the same again.
I read through the other reviews and was quite surprised by the range of comments. I LOVED this book. It was one of the best books I have ever read. I though about it for months afterward. If you're in the mood for a book where you will learn a few new words, rethink the meaning of 'evil', and ponder it for months, then this is the book to read. That being said, my mother didn't like it.
The story of the Wicked Witch of the West, beginning from the odd birth of the green skinned girl until her death. It is thought provoking and sad, and rife with political maneuvering and social injustice. Worth reading.
You must read this book quite slowly in order to get a comprehensive understanding. It is slow reading. It is interesting. It is different than any other book I've ever read.
Have not been able to get "into" the book. Friend told me it really picks up after the middle, but life is too short....
Great writing. I really loved the new point of view. I don't think the Wizard of Oz will ever be the same again.
I loved this book. It definately wasn't what I expected but it was an enjoyable surprise!
What a wonderful book. It makes you look at "evil" from another perspective.
Emily B. (I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was "magical".
I've purchased Son of A Witch and will read it soon.
The characters got confusing for me and at times the story was slow. I think I'll like it better if I see the Broadway show.
Interesting POV look, afterall what if we *were* misinformed in the Wizard of Oz?
Took me about 4 tries before I could get into it. Once I did I couldn't put it down.
I really enjoyed the book. I picked it up because of the musical, and though the plots are very different, I really enjoyed it
This is a very popular book that a lot of my friends enjoyed, but I was not a fan. I just couldn't get into the story.
A new take on an old tale, Wicked gives a detailed account of the life of a little green-skinned girl named Elphaba who would grow up to be the infamous arch-nemisis of Dorothy Gale. She's not "Wicked," just misunderstood! It is an interesting story, woven around an essay on the nature of evil. Young/Sensitve readers beware - I was surprised by some laguage and racy themes.
Brad A. (Overall an excellent novel. I liked how the author took an existing world (the Land of Oz in this case) and made it his own. If you've ever seen the movie or read any of Baum's Oz books, Wicked shines a very realistic light on Oz. The only bad point ot the book is the ending. It feels as though he was rushed to tie up all the loose ends.
Tish O. (i really enjoyed this book but agree with Marci that the politics was a little too drawn out. i loved the school years with the 2 main charachters and cannot understand how they made this dark novel into this wonderfuly popular Broadway musical
If you like the Wizard of Oz (especially reading any of the books) you should enjoy this book. It is the "other" side of the story and makes to witch much more personable.
You'll never look at the Wicked witch the same way again! Loved this story.
Jennifer L. (I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Very interesting take on a classic story. The Wizard of Oz will never be the same for me.
Interesting story of the life of the sister witches before we saw them of the big screen in the Wizard of Oz. Elphaba's life is intensely interesting.
A little slow at first, a few racous moments, but overall a fabulous book. You will never watch the Wizard of Oz the same way again. I almost hate to trade this one.
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