Wicked (1995) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 3 stars

“SOOOOOOO much description in this book. No doubt it took up about 60% I'd say. There are a lot of interesting themes presented in Wicked, enough to make me want to read the rest of the series. I'm sure it will take me some time, considering this one took me about 3 months. Maguire does an excellent job of taking a world and characters that we are all familiar with and kind of turning them on their heads. Origin stories are always great and this was an excellent one. ”

• Rated 3 stars

“I'd give it a 5 for creativity. The world he created was vivid and imaginative. I loved the characters and the different perspective he provides. My reason for the 3 stars is that it felt to me like all backstory. There was never a point where I found myself on the edge of my seat or sympathizing with anyone. I was really hoping for more detail on the scarecrow, tin man, and lion, but maybe that's brought up in other books. It was interesting, but I didn't feel any big payoff at the end. Like I said, it seemed like all backstory. ”

• Rated 2 stars

“I was just expecting something different. I wasn't prepared for the whimsical Land Of Oz to become what MaGuire made of it, with such adult themes, and politics as a main plot. I couldn't get through it. I wanted the book to sweep me away from this world, not remind me of reality. I'm sure this is a very important and well-written novel, just not what I wanted from it. My opinion is obviously not shared by everyone, since the Broadway production based on this novel is so beloved. But it just wasn't an enjoyable book for me. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“Boring,did it complete.”

• Rated 3 stars

“Lovely backstory for the Wicked Witch of the West that gives you an idea of how the witch might have felt. No real plot though, which is slightly disappointing and the story meanders through the lands. Pretty depressing; so not a light read.”

• Rated 2 stars

“This book came off as much more political and theological rant than a good fiction/fantasy story. I was actually taken aback by the adult tone of the story, in some parts bordering on graphic, in comparison to all I've heard and read about it. I'll admit I've had more exposure to the musical than the book itself but haven't seen it. I realize it could be drastically different.

The blurb claims this is the story from the Wicked Witch's point of view. However, it doesn't explain that this is her whole life story, from birth to the inevitable bucket of water. We learn a lot about her and those around her, but I can't say the character in this book stayed true to what is classically known as the "Wicked Witch of the West". It almost seems as if the hatred of those around her at the end is an afterthought but nothing that comes before gives it credit. She actually has a lot of good attributes up until her final scene.

I opened this book expecting a fairy tale, a fantasy type of telling of an evil character and how she came to be reviled. What I found instead was a blueprint of how political strife driven by religious confusion can overtake a land. It was unexpected and not what I was looking for in a good story. So, though the writing is good I can't say I enjoyed this book. ”

• Rated 0 stars

“

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.

Note: If you have actually seen the show, Wicked, you should know that the book is much darker. If you loved the show, there's a strong possibility that you will not like the book.
”

• Rated 3 stars

“I was a struggle at first, but once it got to the last hundred pages I couldn't put it down!”

• Rated 1 stars

“I read this book in anticipation of the musical (I'm seeing it in New York in a few months) but I did not enjoy it at all. It was honestly a chore to read, and after getting through the first 250 or so pages I skipped quite a bit. It was very dull, and many of the characters had strange names so it was difficult to remember who was who. I really wanted to like this book (especially since some of Maguire's other novels sounded interesting) but I just couldn't. ”

• Rated 3 stars

“I liked this book. It gave a different prospective for the whole Wizard of Oz story and I liked how it delved into the mind of the 'Wicked Witch of the West", who truthfully wasn't all that wicked. Seeing where she came from and how she was brought up.....it provided some insight. The plot was sort of dragged out for the first half of the book. At times, I had a hard time getting into it. But about halfway through, the plot picked up and it got alot more interesting. All in all, a good book and I do plan on reading the rest of the series. ”