Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Harper Fiction)
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Harper Fiction)
Binding : Mass Market Paperback
ProductGroup : Book
Manufacturer : Harper
Label : Harper
Publisher : Harper
Studio : Harper
ReleaseDate : 2007-09-25
Lowest Used Price: USD $3.69
Lowest New Price: USD $4.41
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.
this book needed years more of work (2009-01-04)
Having just finished Wicked, I find consolation in the 1-star reviews. The author, with all his noble intentions, fails - like the poor Elphaba -in all of them. So much promise, and such an annoying and depressing result.
wicked: the life and times... (2008-12-31)
If I could, I would probably give this book 3 and 1/2 stars, because I did like it. Maguire takes so much time and detail to create the land, and what we're seeing the characters doing. The structure and symbolism of the story is great too, and I'm sure if I read it over I could pick out even more layers in the plot.
However, I had disagreements with a few things. First, was that the characters seemed a little flat--I didn't get a glimpse into their minds very often, and it was as if I was only being told what they were thinking instead of being shown so it could be more believable. I especially would have liked to get inside Elphaba's own thoughts more, rather than being told what she was planning.
There was also a lot of year skippping, which wasn't so bad, but the use of that may have taken away from the story. And I can handle just about 'x-rated' scenes when they are relevant, but frankly, the bizarre one here seemed out of place and I only found myself disgusted by it. But that's just me.
Overall I would say this story is entertaining and thought provoking, and worth reading aside from those complaints. I knew the book would be very different from the musical beforehand, so be aware of that also.
Overly Dirty (2008-12-30)
After seeing the amazing stage production of the same name, we bought this book and were excited to read more about it. We were shocked by the opening chapters to be reading such filth! Why were such dirty details necessary--the musical didn't need them in order to be successful! We kept reading for a bit to see if it cleaned up to get on with the story, but unfortunately it did not. It was sad to have to put it away, unfinished.
very good read (2008-12-29)
This was my first book that I purchased on my kindle. This was for sure a great first choice. I can't wait to read "Son of a Witch", the sequel to "Wicked".
Just plain boring. (2008-12-28)
Never have I have struggled so much trying to finish a book. Finally I gave up, because frankly, I just didn't care anymore.
The author spends way too much time describing every nook and crany of the scene to the point of being boring, and then leaves little to say about the actual characters. The story also jumps around so much it's hard to follow. As soon as it gets somewhat interesting, the story jumps to a new time and place, with all new characters with no history.
I really wanted to like the book, and gave it multiple chances, but it was just not for me.
