Wicked by Gregory Maguire

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Description

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... read more

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis

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Summary

We meet the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz" at the time of her birth, and learn about her family, her sister, her school chums, and other important figures in her early life, many of whom grow up to be secondary characters in the original... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Cast of Characters/Important People

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Melena: Elphaba's mother. She was beautiful high born daughter of the Eminent Thropp who married a poor priest for love. She does not get along well with the other villagers. She is ashamed of how her daughter turned out and though she tries to love her despite her appearance she has trouble mustering up much motherly affection for her.
Frex: A passionate unionist minister and Elphaba's father. He is so passionate about his faith he spends a lot of time travelling the countryside evangelizing the no name God. Because of this, he tends to neglect his wife and family even leaving his wife to go out evangelizing on the day she is giving birth to their child.
Elphaba: AKA The Wicked Witch of the West. Smart, green, and has an attitude. :) She's a lttle standoffish and defensive because she has always been an outsider and has always had to deal with people judging her and treating her differently or meanly.
Nanny: Melena's former Nanny. Melena sends for her after Elphaba is born to request help with dealing with her. Nanny stays with them off and on throughout Elphaba's childhood.
Turtle Heart: A kind hearted traveller from Quadling country. He is a glass blower by trade and possibly a seer and is travelling to Oz to see if he can gain an audience with the Ozma regent for he has forseen terrible things to come. He is travelling to see if he can convince the Ozma Regent to put a stop to these things before any damage is done. He comes across the home of Melena, Frex, and Elphaba on the journey to Oz and ends up staying and for a time. All of the family is very fond of him.
Galinda: AKA Glinda the Good Witch of the North. Beautiful and popular she is the noble daughter of the Arduennas and a bit of a debutante. She is a little naive having lived a privledge sheltered life up till now. She is a little arrogant and self-absorbed but she does have a mind when she cares to use it. She is Elphaba's roomate at Shiz University for girls. They develop an uneasy friendship while rooming together.
Dr. Dillamond: The only Animal professor at Shiz University, he is a talking intelligent goat.
Madame Morrible: The dean of Shiz University. She is very manipulative and not very fond of Elphaba, because she is different, speaks her mind, and isn't afraid to challenge her authority.
Boq: A boy from Munchkinland who grew up with Elphaba and attends Three Queens University. He is smitten with Galinda. Elphaba agrees to help him meet her so he can try to win her over. He is an admirer of Dr. Dillamond and he and Elphaba develop a friendship after he agrees to help Dr. Dillamond with his scientific research.

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Memorable Quotes

“Well, it's your garden, plant there what you choose and reap what you may.”
Nanny
“The answer, of course, is that the clock isn't meant to measure earthly time, but the time of the soul. Redemption and condemnation time. For the soul, each instant is always a minute short of judgement.”
Frex
“"Melena, she needs to get used to other children. She'll start talking a little bit if she sees that other chicks are talking." "Talking among children is an overrated concept."”
Nanny & Melena
“When goodness removes itself, the space it occupies corrodes and becomes evil, and maybe splits apart and multiplies. So every evil thing is a sign of the absence of deity.”
Elphaba
“"...nowadays so many people don't even believe in Lurline." "But they believe in evil still," said Galinda with a yawn. "Isn't that funny, that deity is passe but the attributes and implications of deity linger-"”
Elphaba & Galinda
“I just think, like our teachers here, that if ministers are effective, they're good at asking questions to get you to think. I don't think they're supposed to have the answers. Not neccesarily.”
Elphaba

First Sentence

A mile above Oz, the Witch balanced on the wind's forward edge, as if she were a green fleck of the land itself, flung up and sent wheeling away by the turbulent air.

I. Munchkinlanders
The Root of Evil
The Clock of the Time Dragon
The Birth of a Witch
Maladies and Remedies
The Quadling Glassblower
Geographies of the Seen and Unseen
Child's Play
Darkness Abroad

II. Gillikin
Galinda
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

Boq
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7

The Charmed Circle
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8

III. City of Emeralds

IV. In the Vinkus
The Voyage Out
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

The Jasper Gates of Kiamo Ko
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10

Uprisings
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7

V. The Murder and It's Afterlife
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18