Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
ReganBooks (New York, 2000). 1st paperback edition, 27th printing. 432 pages. $15.00.
Description
This re-creation of the land of Oz, tells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, who wasn't so wicked after all. Past the yellow brick road and into a phantasmagoric world rich with imagination and allegory, Wicked just might change the reputation of one of the most sinister characters in literature.
Media reviews
Although Mr. Maguire demonstrates a knack for conjuring up bizarre adventures for Elphie and introducing her to an eccentric cast of creatures (though nowhere near as enchanting as the many creatures Baum invented in his multiple sequels to "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"), his insistence on
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politicizing Oz and injecting it with a heavy dose of moral relativism turns a wonderfully spontaneous world of fantasy into a lugubrious allegorical realm, in which everything and everyone is labeled with a topical name tag. Show Less
Publisher's Weekly
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
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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 and Glinda's snobbish friends make this excursion to Oz worthwhile Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member susanbevans
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, gives new meaning to the old Kermit the Frog maxim: "It's not easy being green."
Elphaba, sometimes Fabala or Elphie or Fae, and later, the Wicked Witch of the West, was born with skin as green grass, and with teeth like
As a young girl, Elphie is sent away to a sort of finishing school/college in Shiz, where she becomes the roommate of the lovely Galinda - later to be called Glinda the Good Witch. It is at school in Shiz that Elphie really comes into her own, and makes the choices that will shape her future life.
Before she leaves Shiz, her sister Nessarose comes to the school. The future Wicked Witch of the East is a beautiful girl, born the "right" color, but with no arms.
Elphie, the WWotW is a great many things in this story: she is quick-witted and rational; she's a fervent animal activist; she's an anti-establishment revolutionary; she's a nun and nurse, ministering to the sick and dying. What she is not, as far as I'm concerned, is wicked.
Although I felt a real connection and had great sympathy for Elphie, that's about all I enjoyed about the book. The information about what Elphie does when she's working with the underground activist movement is ever alluded to but never explained - it's so frustrating! Days after finishing the book, I'm still wondering just what she was actually up to in Emerald City.
Just as the climax was building, the author changes his mind, and shoves Elphie into a situation that makes no sense. In the first 222 pages of Wicked, Maguire makes it perfectly clear the Elphie is a non-believer. Suddenly, she's in a convent? She's a nun? And she spends 7 odd years doing... what?
I also did not enjoy the way in which the author seemed to discard major characters. Elphie's friends at Shiz, especially Boq, were fleshed out and had real stories - then all of the sudden, their stories were over. Then some characters, like Fiyero's widow and her family, seemingly pointless to the story, were written about at length, making for some extremely boring reading.
The politics, tyranny, and wickedness throughout the land of OZ were disturbing in the extreme. I thought in the beginning that Elphie would have some glorious role - for good or evil - and would make a difference or serve some purpose - she didn't. She lived ever on the outskirts of the action, and basically "became" a witch quite by accident.
The idea behind the book was really good - it just went nowhere for me. Questions were never answered, nothing was resolved.
Elphaba, sometimes Fabala or Elphie or Fae, and later, the Wicked Witch of the West, was born with skin as green grass, and with teeth like
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a shark. Her parents, Frex, a missionary man serving the Unnamed god, and Melena, his fractious wife, had no hope of understanding what a clever and perceptive little daughter they had been blessed with. And so, Elphie spends the bulk of her childhood hating herself for being such an obvious disappointment to her parents.As a young girl, Elphie is sent away to a sort of finishing school/college in Shiz, where she becomes the roommate of the lovely Galinda - later to be called Glinda the Good Witch. It is at school in Shiz that Elphie really comes into her own, and makes the choices that will shape her future life.
Before she leaves Shiz, her sister Nessarose comes to the school. The future Wicked Witch of the East is a beautiful girl, born the "right" color, but with no arms.
Elphie, the WWotW is a great many things in this story: she is quick-witted and rational; she's a fervent animal activist; she's an anti-establishment revolutionary; she's a nun and nurse, ministering to the sick and dying. What she is not, as far as I'm concerned, is wicked.
Although I felt a real connection and had great sympathy for Elphie, that's about all I enjoyed about the book. The information about what Elphie does when she's working with the underground activist movement is ever alluded to but never explained - it's so frustrating! Days after finishing the book, I'm still wondering just what she was actually up to in Emerald City.
Just as the climax was building, the author changes his mind, and shoves Elphie into a situation that makes no sense. In the first 222 pages of Wicked, Maguire makes it perfectly clear the Elphie is a non-believer. Suddenly, she's in a convent? She's a nun? And she spends 7 odd years doing... what?
I also did not enjoy the way in which the author seemed to discard major characters. Elphie's friends at Shiz, especially Boq, were fleshed out and had real stories - then all of the sudden, their stories were over. Then some characters, like Fiyero's widow and her family, seemingly pointless to the story, were written about at length, making for some extremely boring reading.
The politics, tyranny, and wickedness throughout the land of OZ were disturbing in the extreme. I thought in the beginning that Elphie would have some glorious role - for good or evil - and would make a difference or serve some purpose - she didn't. She lived ever on the outskirts of the action, and basically "became" a witch quite by accident.
The idea behind the book was really good - it just went nowhere for me. Questions were never answered, nothing was resolved.
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LibraryThing member Cynara
It's a really promising concept: the point of view of the Wicked Witch of the West, at last. Surely someone opposed to that simp Glinda couldn't be all bad?
I think the problem is threefold. First, the book doesn't have a strong feeling of unity or direction. At times, the author's selection of
Second, the writing is, frankly, lousy. Maguire frequently slips into telling us things about the characters instead of showing them. The same goes for the philosophical parts: chunks of unresolved speculation and moral questions that are never fully integrated into the story and made to live and breathe.
Finally, I think the ending is a problem. Maguire has done his best to establish Elphaba as a sympathetic character and, at the same time, plant the seeds of the wild behavior familiar from the movie (e.g. the shoe obsession, the antagonism she feels for this simple girl), but in the final chapters it all falls apart. From what we've seen of her, it's a stretch to believe that Elphaba would be so unthinking, so carried away, so purposelessly cruel.
I think the problem is threefold. First, the book doesn't have a strong feeling of unity or direction. At times, the author's selection of
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scenes and plot twists seems random. I eventually felt that the book wasn't leading much of anywhere. I even felt isolated from Elphaba, our heroine; short on introspection, she seems to be a mystery to herself, and I didn't get a firm sense of who she was and what she wanted. Maguire never gives us enough information to fall in love with her, though she's willful, self-disciplined, and passionate.Second, the writing is, frankly, lousy. Maguire frequently slips into telling us things about the characters instead of showing them. The same goes for the philosophical parts: chunks of unresolved speculation and moral questions that are never fully integrated into the story and made to live and breathe.
Finally, I think the ending is a problem. Maguire has done his best to establish Elphaba as a sympathetic character and, at the same time, plant the seeds of the wild behavior familiar from the movie (e.g. the shoe obsession, the antagonism she feels for this simple girl), but in the final chapters it all falls apart. From what we've seen of her, it's a stretch to believe that Elphaba would be so unthinking, so carried away, so purposelessly cruel.
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LibraryThing member lecari
I was quite disappointed by this book, to be honest. I knew and had expected it to be different to the musical, but I hadn’t expected it to be quite *this* different. A shame really because it seems such a good idea!
This follows the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and her life (as the title
I think I would have enjoyed this more if I’d read it before seeing the musical. However, it was quite confusing, and a lot more ‘adult’ than I had expected, and the author does seem to ramble a lot. It just felt dull, to be honest. I wanted to like it so much, and I could’ve excused it for not being anything at all like the musical if it hadn’t been quite so slowly paced. The last chapter was my favourite, when everything seemed to come together.
This follows the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and her life (as the title
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suggests). It’s more of an autobiography, showing her parents and their life before she was born, then later on as she grew up and went to Shiz University, where she finally manages to fit in and make friends despite her green skin. She and Glinda run off to the Emerald City to try and speak to the Wizard about the crisis with the Animals (animals that have the power of speech and understanding), but fails; Glinda goes back to Shiz, while Elphie goes into hiding, helping an Animal Rights group. While there, she bumps into an old friend (Fiyero), and they have an affair. When he dies, she goes back to his tribe to apologise to his widow and children and explain what happened and seek forgiveness. She lives there for most of her life, while conducting experiments into Animals and animals, and what separates them, while her younger sister Nessarose becomes the ‘Wicked Witch of the East’ and is killed by Dorothy’s house.I think I would have enjoyed this more if I’d read it before seeing the musical. However, it was quite confusing, and a lot more ‘adult’ than I had expected, and the author does seem to ramble a lot. It just felt dull, to be honest. I wanted to like it so much, and I could’ve excused it for not being anything at all like the musical if it hadn’t been quite so slowly paced. The last chapter was my favourite, when everything seemed to come together.
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LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
This is fan fiction folks--albeit professionally published--based on the Wizard of Oz series by Baum and in the best fan fiction tradition letting us see the story anew by championing a maligned character--the Wicked Witch of the West. The writing style was pretty graceless, I thought, despite its
However, the story only deteriorates from there. Elphaba's characterization is wildly inconsistent. I didn't feel the attempts to make the story fit with the character and events in Oz worked. Characters and elements you'd think are important are dropped and never or barely heard from again. The politics got more and more intrusive and preachy and so much of the narrative manages to be both choppy and tedious.
I'd add I've never seen the musical based on this, but if you're expecting from that anything light-hearted and filled with heart, you're going to be disappointed; this book is joyless, ponderous and crude. Such a great concept--such a poor execution. I closed the book determined to never read anything else by Maguire.
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pretensions to literary merit, and I didn't like the Rabelaisian touches. (This book is...er...NOT for children. There is sex, and kinks, and flatulence and bodily fluids...) However, after getting through a not appealing beginning, I was enjoying how subversive it all was in giving us Elphaba--born green and with sharp finger-amputating teeth--who becomes friends with that vain, social-climbing Glinda in college. At the end of Part Two with Elphaba the rebel going off determined to oppose the Wizard of Oz (and by then Maguire showed us good reasons to see him as a tyrant), I thought this might develop into a story I'd love. (Despite a sex club scene that was a crass HUH???) However, the story only deteriorates from there. Elphaba's characterization is wildly inconsistent. I didn't feel the attempts to make the story fit with the character and events in Oz worked. Characters and elements you'd think are important are dropped and never or barely heard from again. The politics got more and more intrusive and preachy and so much of the narrative manages to be both choppy and tedious.
I'd add I've never seen the musical based on this, but if you're expecting from that anything light-hearted and filled with heart, you're going to be disappointed; this book is joyless, ponderous and crude. Such a great concept--such a poor execution. I closed the book determined to never read anything else by Maguire.
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LibraryThing member riofriotex
I found Wicked rather intriguing, because I could relate to the main character, Elphaba, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. I’m not a big fan of fantasy, but Elphaba as a character was well-developed. I found it interesting how Maguire gave the Wizard a dark side, and made Elphaba and
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Glinda college roommates! I could understand how the little green-skinned daughter of an unfaithful mother and an unsuccessful preacher (although her real father may actually be the Wizard), practically shunned from her birth, could become the revolutionary Maguire paints her to be. Show Less
LibraryThing member Teipu
It is not a good thing, when the first thought on a book is "finally I'm done with this!". But that exactly was my feeling when I finished this book.
"Wicked" is one of those books which would fit in a nutshell but instead are spread over 500 pages.
It's not solely bad as it has some interesting
The book tells the story about Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the WEst of Oz who is supposed to be killed by Dorothy, the girl from Kentucky.
It starts with Elphabas birth, gives us insights about her College time and terrorist phase and eventually ends with her death or at least disappearing.
It is indeed interesting to learn more about Oz, like the political system, the religious situation, why Animals speak and how monkeys got their wings. But every tiny bit of information is packed in lots of incidents which are not really conductive to the story itself.
Maguire seems to make up incidents just to have a stage for philosophical rant (mostly about evil, souls, and if to belief in religion or not). Also he tends to repeat several things so often that they become annoying althought they were absorbing at first.
Maybe I don't get the hang of it because I never read to original "Wizard of Oz", maybe because I'm not fond of pseudo-philosophy (or philosophy in general).
(I left the book in the shared room for grad students in my university, I hope it's next owner enjoys it more)
"Wicked" is one of those books which would fit in a nutshell but instead are spread over 500 pages.
It's not solely bad as it has some interesting
Show More
books too, but mostly it's just too long!The book tells the story about Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the WEst of Oz who is supposed to be killed by Dorothy, the girl from Kentucky.
It starts with Elphabas birth, gives us insights about her College time and terrorist phase and eventually ends with her death or at least disappearing.
It is indeed interesting to learn more about Oz, like the political system, the religious situation, why Animals speak and how monkeys got their wings. But every tiny bit of information is packed in lots of incidents which are not really conductive to the story itself.
Maguire seems to make up incidents just to have a stage for philosophical rant (mostly about evil, souls, and if to belief in religion or not). Also he tends to repeat several things so often that they become annoying althought they were absorbing at first.
Maybe I don't get the hang of it because I never read to original "Wizard of Oz", maybe because I'm not fond of pseudo-philosophy (or philosophy in general).
(I left the book in the shared room for grad students in my university, I hope it's next owner enjoys it more)
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LibraryThing member kaionvin
Gregory Maguire re-imagines Oz as a political place. Pulling elements from both the original book by L. Frank Baum and the famous 1939 musical, Maguire tells his story of a little green girl who grows up into the melting “witch”.
There was a brief time in my childhood when I was a big fan of the
Maguire certainly understands some aspects of Baum’s Oz very well (Dorothy the practical little Kansas farm girl, not the little lady in distress). I appreciated the less waving-around-of-magic objects, more underground-assassination-cells approach, and admired his creative zeal in creating an immersive world.
But the magic of Oz wasn’t just the obvious of the magic silver slippers and talking scarecrows and melting witches. It was the journey of seeking a brain and getting one that you had all along, it’s about finding courage you always called upon when you were afraid- it’s about validation in action. But in seeking to reclaim the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, Maguire robs the character of her true power. Your real Witch, be she one-eyed or green, was terrifying… and powerful, and here she’s replaced by Elphaba.
This Elphaba is ambitious, fair, and perhaps even compassionate at times- but a constant failure. Ultimately the story only manages to explain her life trajectory in the easiest and laziest way: Bitch be crazy, ‘cause she was doomed from the start. Fate had her number.
And that’s my biggest problem with the book- it simply doesn’t *go* anywhere with all this inventive material. The story meanders, seemingly intoxicated with the images of horror and destiny and sex and drugs and abuses of dictatorship- and so does the main character, lost in side plots and emotional bouts that aren’t really well-formed or explained (amnesiac pregnancy!). There’s interesting storylines here, but the narrative constantly frustrated me by having these interesting parts always occur “off-page” and failing to knit together cohesive answers.
There was a brief time in my childhood when I was a big fan of the
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Oz books,. And going into Wicked the first time, I was open-minded to an interpretation that brought something modern and twisty to the violent and punny, matter-of-fact and imaginative, autocratic and feminist Oz I remembered.Maguire certainly understands some aspects of Baum’s Oz very well (Dorothy the practical little Kansas farm girl, not the little lady in distress). I appreciated the less waving-around-of-magic objects, more underground-assassination-cells approach, and admired his creative zeal in creating an immersive world.
But the magic of Oz wasn’t just the obvious of the magic silver slippers and talking scarecrows and melting witches. It was the journey of seeking a brain and getting one that you had all along, it’s about finding courage you always called upon when you were afraid- it’s about validation in action. But in seeking to reclaim the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, Maguire robs the character of her true power. Your real Witch, be she one-eyed or green, was terrifying… and powerful, and here she’s replaced by Elphaba.
This Elphaba is ambitious, fair, and perhaps even compassionate at times- but a constant failure. Ultimately the story only manages to explain her life trajectory in the easiest and laziest way: Bitch be crazy, ‘cause she was doomed from the start. Fate had her number.
And that’s my biggest problem with the book- it simply doesn’t *go* anywhere with all this inventive material. The story meanders, seemingly intoxicated with the images of horror and destiny and sex and drugs and abuses of dictatorship- and so does the main character, lost in side plots and emotional bouts that aren’t really well-formed or explained (amnesiac pregnancy!). There’s interesting storylines here, but the narrative constantly frustrated me by having these interesting parts always occur “off-page” and failing to knit together cohesive answers.
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LibraryThing member Miss-Owl
Firstly, let me begin my review by saying that I *love* the concept - the whole idea that history is written by the winners; and its corollary, the story that gives us the underdog-villain's perspective. Jon Scieszka has done this particularly well in old favourites of mine such as "The True story
But while I loved the concept, the execution really grated. A note to publishers:
* yes, readers do judge books by their covers. Sure, they shouldn't - otherwise why have a proverb? - but yes they do, and it is *your* job to ensure that covers set reasonable expectations. The cover of Wicked looks light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek; but the content is sadly pretentious and sententious.
* please don't write anything on the back cover that a) isn't even that important, and b) doesn't happen for about 250 pages! - yes, Tin Man, I'm looking at you.
I spent most of this novel wishing that Jasper Fforde had written it - literary revisionist extraordinaire. His lightness of touch and typical tongue-in-cheek incorrigibility were just what this novel lacked, I felt, and needed. More lines like the talking animal that says "Haven't you ever seen a mad Cow?" and fewer lines like "academics were inclined to locate the root of the term in the Gillikinese cognate oos, which carries freights of meaning about growth, development, power, generation". (Erm?)
I will admit that I'm not a huge reader of fantasy. My main beef with it (if you'll excuse the pun) is that it seems to take itself too seriously. Totally arbitrary things seem to happen under a mantle of self-imbued importance:
"In the middle of the night, the cook disappeared. There was consternation among all except Elphie, who didn't care. Was it a kindnapping, or a sleepwalking episode, or a suicide? Were the angry Yunamata near, and watching? Was it Kumbricia herself taking revenge on them for discussing her so glibly?"
Hmm. I'm not sure I cared either, Elphie. It's hard to care about an incidental character I just met six pages ago... and ditto the tribal factions of the Yunamata and the faux mythological figure of the Kumbric witch. Perhaps it's more a reflection on me that I prefer my fantasy totally irreverent and cheeky. True mythology, I think, always rises from within rather than being imposed from without.
One last rant before I go. Look closer and you'll find that Elphaba's characterisation - and many more too, but also particularly her relationship with her lover - is almost entirely expressed through dialogue. Thus the characters, much like the book's attempt at mythology, become defined from the outside in, which is not a particularly captivating way to go.
My favourite chapter was the last - less talk, more action! - and finally, a glimpse into the Oz that Frank L Baum created. I know I seem to be advocating a Hollywood blockbuster over an art movie approach here, but hey... guilty as charged.
Okay, I have possibly subjected this book to far more critique than necessary. And yes, I'll agree that I couldn't have done any better. But having recently finished the brilliance of Jean Rhys' "Wide Sargasso Sea", a short book I wish was longer, I couldn't help feeling this was a long book that I wish was shorter.
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of the 3 Little Pigs!" and "The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales". But while I loved the concept, the execution really grated. A note to publishers:
* yes, readers do judge books by their covers. Sure, they shouldn't - otherwise why have a proverb? - but yes they do, and it is *your* job to ensure that covers set reasonable expectations. The cover of Wicked looks light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek; but the content is sadly pretentious and sententious.
* please don't write anything on the back cover that a) isn't even that important, and b) doesn't happen for about 250 pages! - yes, Tin Man, I'm looking at you.
I spent most of this novel wishing that Jasper Fforde had written it - literary revisionist extraordinaire. His lightness of touch and typical tongue-in-cheek incorrigibility were just what this novel lacked, I felt, and needed. More lines like the talking animal that says "Haven't you ever seen a mad Cow?" and fewer lines like "academics were inclined to locate the root of the term in the Gillikinese cognate oos, which carries freights of meaning about growth, development, power, generation". (Erm?)
I will admit that I'm not a huge reader of fantasy. My main beef with it (if you'll excuse the pun) is that it seems to take itself too seriously. Totally arbitrary things seem to happen under a mantle of self-imbued importance:
"In the middle of the night, the cook disappeared. There was consternation among all except Elphie, who didn't care. Was it a kindnapping, or a sleepwalking episode, or a suicide? Were the angry Yunamata near, and watching? Was it Kumbricia herself taking revenge on them for discussing her so glibly?"
Hmm. I'm not sure I cared either, Elphie. It's hard to care about an incidental character I just met six pages ago... and ditto the tribal factions of the Yunamata and the faux mythological figure of the Kumbric witch. Perhaps it's more a reflection on me that I prefer my fantasy totally irreverent and cheeky. True mythology, I think, always rises from within rather than being imposed from without.
One last rant before I go. Look closer and you'll find that Elphaba's characterisation - and many more too, but also particularly her relationship with her lover - is almost entirely expressed through dialogue. Thus the characters, much like the book's attempt at mythology, become defined from the outside in, which is not a particularly captivating way to go.
My favourite chapter was the last - less talk, more action! - and finally, a glimpse into the Oz that Frank L Baum created. I know I seem to be advocating a Hollywood blockbuster over an art movie approach here, but hey... guilty as charged.
Okay, I have possibly subjected this book to far more critique than necessary. And yes, I'll agree that I couldn't have done any better. But having recently finished the brilliance of Jean Rhys' "Wide Sargasso Sea", a short book I wish was longer, I couldn't help feeling this was a long book that I wish was shorter.
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LibraryThing member blakelylaw
If I could, I would give this less than 1 star. It was really a disgusting, confusing book. I picked it up because I love the musical; the name is the only thing this has in common with that. The only reason I even finished it (& still have it) because finishing books is a personal rule of mine. I
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still have my copy because I am totally against trashing or burning books, but it's so disgusting I would never pass it on to anyone else. Show Less
LibraryThing member eilonwy_anne
I had every intention of finishing listening to the audiobook so I could write this review, but on realizing there are six more discs...ugh. I cannot bring myself to do it.
I cannot understand why this book is so popular. The characters are two-dimensional and thinly motivated, the plots are
Really, I'm at a loss. Perhaps it is popular with readers who don't usually read fantasy, and have correspondingly low standards for the genre or unformed expectations for worldbuilding? But then, I know some spec-fic geeks that like it. Perhaps people haven't read the Oz books, so they don't realize that this is far inferior to them? But then, I have one friend with a long row of Oz books who likes this, too. I am completely confused by this book's success
I cannot understand why this book is so popular. The characters are two-dimensional and thinly motivated, the plots are
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contrived and preposterous. The world fails to cohere to any degree, and the attempts at social relevance are actually inferior to the bits of satire found in the actual Oz books.Really, I'm at a loss. Perhaps it is popular with readers who don't usually read fantasy, and have correspondingly low standards for the genre or unformed expectations for worldbuilding? But then, I know some spec-fic geeks that like it. Perhaps people haven't read the Oz books, so they don't realize that this is far inferior to them? But then, I have one friend with a long row of Oz books who likes this, too. I am completely confused by this book's success
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LibraryThing member Tsana
It was a bit of a slog. Given that it's the story of the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz I was sort of expecting something funny, maybe vaguely pratchettesque. Alas, the characters were mostly two dimensional or unbelievable and the story was a bit rambling. Glinda (Good Witch of the
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North, in the movie) as a teenager was the worst. It was as though the author tried to copy down what he saw teenage girls doing or saying without trying to understand the mechanics of it/logic behind it. Since there was a largish section from Glinda's PoV, this was especially annoying. Overall, the book would have been improved by a bit more light-heartedness and less preaching on the characters' parts. Show Less
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
I saw the musical and decided to read the novel - very different storyline, which I found curious (how do they do that?). Although I liked seeing the story from a different perspective, I found the overall story unsatisfying. I didn't feel that it came to a satisfying conclusion - Elphaba spent her
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whole life trying to figure out who she was. She was looking for a place to belong, a mission to complete, for acceptance or love or something. And in the end, there is none of that for her. All the rest is just irony and misunderstanding. And this view of Oz is dark, pagan, and degraded. I couldn't really like any of the cultures or people. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookworm805
After hearing such rave reviews about the musical and seeing it in person last year, I thought I would read the book. Since I loved the musical, I thought reading the book would provide more insight into Elphaba's character. I have had a difficult time getting through the book probably because of
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the politics and possibly because of the language. I find it interesting enough to finish, but disappointing. I don't think I'll be reading the other books in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member pacey1927
I have never seen the musical "Wicked" nor have I heard the music from it. The only thing I've ever seen of the musical was the minute or so clip from it on "Ugly Betty" last season. I have, however, read the classic "Wizard of OZ" and seen (numerous times) and loved the MGM movie. Seeing the book
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on every bookshelf from Borders to Wal-Mart to Walgreens finally peaked my interest enought to purchase the book. I went into this with ABSOLUTELY no expectations whatsoever. I was hooked immediately into the story with the birth of Elphaba, the little green baby with sharp teeth who later became the Wicked Witch of the West. The baby Elphaba was literally a monster when she was born but as she aged Elphie became a normal young woman. Or as normal as she could be, what with her green skin and all. We follow Ephaba as she leaves home and goes a woman's boarding school/college. There she becomes roomates with Galinda, a snotty thing. Galinda of course later becomes Glinda, the Good Witch. From this point on we follow Elphaba's life and slowly witness the events that later change this intelligent woman into a wicked witch. This story isn't for children, or the easily offended. If someone is completely obsessed with the movie Wizard of Oz, and you don't want that image tarnished, skip this one. We definately see a side of Oz, Frank never intended us to see. Maguire's Oz makes a lot of sense. It is apparent the author truly knows his "Wizard of Oz" from the book to the movie. I found that a lot of blanks were filled in for me here, while also allowing me at least a degree of empathy for the Wicked Witch. Only the last fifth of the book or so, brings in Dorothy and her motley crew, the scarecrow, lion, tinman, and Toto. Maguire follows this part of the story fairly closely. The only things that really stood out to me was the fact that Elphaba wasn't present to see her sister lying dead beneath Dorothy's house, and the Wizard of Oz is truly the evil party here. There was no kind man behind the face of the Wizard here. This guy comes off like a fictionalized Hitler. There was also no scene involving Dorothy and crew getting their desires and learning they already had them all along. Again, this isn't your normal fairy tale. And it defenately isn't a book for your kids. There is plenty of sex here, far more than should have been in my opinion. Of course I've read worse, but that part just feels odd in Oz. The lion talking about castration made me balk a little...but maybe that's one of the intents in "Wicked". I found myself thinking about this book awhile after I finished it. Tracing back how Elphaba drifted down the path of wickedness. I think the seed was always there and she fought to be normal, and then it just became to much for her. I'm babbling here too much. This book was amazing, far more than I ever intended. I did a little research into the musical "Wicked" and I can say it appears to be very different and a lot more kid friendly. I can't say that those changes will sit well with me because I truly love this story as it stands. Show Less
LibraryThing member fiveforsilver
*may contain spoilers*
It was okay.
The writing was decent - I didn't really notice the writing, which is a good thing. The overall story would have been stronger if it had not been about the Wicked Witch.
I disliked the beginning. There wasn't much point to the very beginning, the bit with Dorothy et
I found the middle - the part about how she dealt with being what she was out in the world - a fairly compelling fantasy version of a minority or otherwise different-from-"normal" person dealing with prejudice. Interesting to see how someone like Galinda, with such pretensions, could come to be friends with such an outsider. And so on.
But all the parts with lots of Oz stuff in them, especially the end, just seemed tacked on. It didn't have much to do with the rest of the story, didn't really fit, just didn't work. I'm glad I read it, to know what people are talking about, but it's not a book I plan to read again.
It was okay.
The writing was decent - I didn't really notice the writing, which is a good thing. The overall story would have been stronger if it had not been about the Wicked Witch.
I disliked the beginning. There wasn't much point to the very beginning, the bit with Dorothy et
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al, except to say "Look! It's the Wizard of Oz story! See??" And her birth and youth was basically recapped later in the story, so there wasn't much point to detailing the whole thing - particularly since nothing was ever explained. Why was she green? Why were her baby teeth like that? Why was plain (and salt) water deadly for her? There are possibilities given, but nothing certain.I found the middle - the part about how she dealt with being what she was out in the world - a fairly compelling fantasy version of a minority or otherwise different-from-"normal" person dealing with prejudice. Interesting to see how someone like Galinda, with such pretensions, could come to be friends with such an outsider. And so on.
But all the parts with lots of Oz stuff in them, especially the end, just seemed tacked on. It didn't have much to do with the rest of the story, didn't really fit, just didn't work. I'm glad I read it, to know what people are talking about, but it's not a book I plan to read again.
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LibraryThing member hollieberrie
I don't get it. I have been wanting read this book for so long but now feel like I have been cheated. I really thought the book was going to follow the wizard of Oz just from the wicked witch of the west point of view. I really did not care about her family or her up bringing. Then to read about
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her fighting against the political goings on is Oz well boring. I never got a feeling of liking any of the characters. Never felt anything for the "witch". And ended up not liking Glenda at all. So I think I will stick with the good ol' wizard of oz and when I think of the green witch will think of the "I'm melting" sence and get a little chuckle. Show Less
LibraryThing member aethercowboy
Gregory Maguire, with his work Wiked, really put himself into the limelight. Of course, in this instance, his protagonist Elphaba, the Wiked Witch of the West, really puts the "lime" in limelight.
That is, to say, she's green.
Maguire, following pas success as a children's author, took one of the
Wicked does a role reversal of the expected characterizations of Oz. We're to root for the bad guy, who really isn't all that bad; she just doesn't appreciate the oppressive government of Oz, especially as it treats animals and Animals (that is, animals gifted with speech) the same, though one is clearly capable of rational thought.
Maguire's Oz is real, grizzled, gritty, and nothing like the happy magic land Baum made it out to be. If you find Oz to be sacrosanct, you may wish to avoid this one. But, if you enjoy Oz, and wish to see more work inspired by it, then this is definitely a book for you. Since it's publication, Maguire has written two other novels to follow in this parallel storyline, which may also be worth reading when you're done being Wicked.
That is, to say, she's green.
Maguire, following pas success as a children's author, took one of the
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most beloved children's books and made it real, focusing on the misunderstood Elphaba, and how she became so wicked in the first place. This also firmly placed him in the caste of "parallel novelist," in which most, if not all, of his general works to date have been heavily inspired by previous works of beloved fiction.Wicked does a role reversal of the expected characterizations of Oz. We're to root for the bad guy, who really isn't all that bad; she just doesn't appreciate the oppressive government of Oz, especially as it treats animals and Animals (that is, animals gifted with speech) the same, though one is clearly capable of rational thought.
Maguire's Oz is real, grizzled, gritty, and nothing like the happy magic land Baum made it out to be. If you find Oz to be sacrosanct, you may wish to avoid this one. But, if you enjoy Oz, and wish to see more work inspired by it, then this is definitely a book for you. Since it's publication, Maguire has written two other novels to follow in this parallel storyline, which may also be worth reading when you're done being Wicked.
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LibraryThing member melydia
My only previous exposure to Oz is in the form of movies (the Judy Garland classic as well as "The Wiz" and "Return to Oz"), so there was probably a lot of irony in this story that was completely lost on me. All the same, I enjoyed it. Its assertion that evil is in the eye of the beholder (and the
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writer of history) was striking. The ending was a bit rushed, and the author did not offer quite as many explanations as I would have liked (such as *why* she was making winged monkeys), but all in all it was a good book. Now I want to read Maguire's other fairy tales from the bad guy's point of view. Show Less
LibraryThing member hockeycrew
Perhaps I should have been more careful when selecting this book because it was not what I expected. I think I was expecting a sharp witted funny book. While this book is much more of a satire filled with religion and politics. I found it to be a long slow read. Once put down at the end, you can
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look back and say, what an interesting book. But it's more heavy literature than the lighthearted book I was hoping to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Fluffyblue
This is really the first audiobook I've listened to. It was unabridged, so there were over 17 hours worth of spoken word. Sometimes it took a lot of concentration and quite often I found myself listening to something twice, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would certainly do it again.
I
In terms of audio, the story was well-read and very clear. I hope to get my hands on Son of a Witch pretty soon to follow this up, and would also like to possess a hard copy of the book.
I
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was intrigued by the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, and found myself 'on her side' more often than not. The story is quite powerful and there is a lot to it, but I thought it flowed well and led you to the inevitable conclusion of the Witch's death at the hands of Dorothy.In terms of audio, the story was well-read and very clear. I hope to get my hands on Son of a Witch pretty soon to follow this up, and would also like to possess a hard copy of the book.
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LibraryThing member Katya0133
A dark retelling of the Wizard of Oz from an unexpected perspective. A brilliant read.
LibraryThing member gerconk
A lovely fantasy story of Elphaba, the wicked witch of the west, and Glinda and other characters who are the behind-the-scenes characters in the Wizard of Oz story. The descriptions of the various peoples who lived near Oz, the Munchkins and others, the surrounding territories, the various
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creatures such as the Animals as well as the animals, gives a glimpse into a world that is "other" and yet so like our times in the present day. If I had a criticism of the book, I would have stayed true to the character of Elphaba (an activist), instead of making her wicked and crazy in the final chapters. Show Less
LibraryThing member booksandwine
I don't really understand why this is on the Worst Books Ever list. I honestly didn't think Wicked was all that bad. To me, the story was fascinating. Oz is presented as a world rife with political tensions. There is the Wizard who is pretty much a douche/dictator. There is the Animals vs. animals
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debate. Animals are creatures with souls and intellect, they have human attributes. Well, the humans of the book take away the Animals rights bit by bit. This bothers the main character Elphaba, who decides to become active in Animal rights. Sidenote: The woman who played the Wicked Witch of the West in the film was also very active in animal rights.You have religion, hedonism, and a bit of brain washing. A large part of the book focuses on the nature of God, as well as the origins of evil. Maybe this book is so hated because it proposes that those who are religious are merely sheep following archaic rules? (Disclaimer: the book proposes this NOT me). I actually liked that the book explored fate vs. free will.Maybe some people were offended by the copious sex which takes place in this book? I don't know. The book begins with sex, and continues with sex. The sex isn't lovemaking. It's not "Oh, and he put his quivering member into ...." Rather, the sex is gritty, it's sweaty. It's rather animalistic. It's not some romanticized activity.I would say give this book a chance, it isn't terrible, especially if you read it for the politcs. Show Less
LibraryThing member bvsquidley
I was very disappointed with this book. The back cover promised an engrossing plot, which there was certainly potential for; however, the prose was difficult and the story was far from captivating. Very disappointing....
LibraryThing member champerdamper
All I remember from reading it years ago was how unfulfilling the effort of reading it was. It's not like Maguire's writing style was hard, but the lack of closure, no matter how minimal or unimportant, was denied in every point of the plot and every facet of the characters. That made it a bore and
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a trek to complete. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1995
Physical description
409 p.; 6.13 inches
ISBN
0060987103 / 9780060987107