Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked Years)
by Gregory Maguire
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Book Summary Information
Author: Gregory MaguireEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-09-25
ISBN: 0061350966
Number of pages: 560
Publisher: Harper
Book Reviews of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked Years)
Book Review: Ozmazing....
Summary: 5 Stars
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 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.
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Summary of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked Years)
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 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 be 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.
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