Rating: 
Summary: A thoughtful, complex view of a well-known character
Review: One of my favorite stories about the Wicked Witch of the West involves my dad. He was a child when the movie first came out, and the whole family--two adults and six kids--piled in the family station wagon and went to see it at the drive-in. When the Wicked Witch of the West put in her first appearance, she scared my father so badly he hid on the floorboards of the car and didn't watch the rest of the movie.Why am I telling you all this? Because it's all about perception, different perspectives. To my dad--and to most people watching the movie or reading the original L. Frank Baum books--the Wicked Witch is just that: a one-dimensional incarnation of evil, cackling over poor innocent Dorothy and her little dog, too. Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked, however, challenges our perception of not only the Witch, but of evil, theology, race, sex, friendship, love, forgiveness--the list goes on and on. Maguire's greatest achievement is presenting all those challenges in an entertaining, thought-provoking story that never sags or dwindles in energy. Elphaba (the Witch) is a rounded, complex character. Like all humans, she is both good and evil to some extent, always carrying the capacity for either--or both. Maguire doesn't diminish Glinda's character, either. It would have been easy to make her a caricature (and she does at times border one), but Maguire imbues her with saving graces, hints of humanity that remind us of why she and Elphie are friends and why their paths diverge so wildly over the course of their lives. The book's greatest flaw is it's ending. It feels a little hurried, although I do like the way Maguire rendered the famous parapet scene. I got the feeling, while reading, that Elphie was forgetting herself, that Maguire was feeling the pressure of the film version perhaps too much. Regardless of that criticism, the ending is not flawed enough to detract from the overall power of the novel; it does work within the confines of the story. Wicked is many things: an excursion into the nature of evil and forgiveness; a politically-minded cautionary tale; a revisionist history of a much-loved tale. And, remarkably, it succeeds. It succeeds in changing the reader's perceptions about the Wicked Witch of the West--and perhaps other issues as well. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: The Rest of The Story
Review: I think this book was definetly intriguing espeacially if you are into fantasy or if you just liked the Wizard of Oz. I would have to say that it was somewhat slow in the beginning, but I wasn't expecting it to be so "adult oriented". Once I realized how this book and how the characters were going to be portrayed in it made enjoy it more. It was hard to read this book about this person who goes to colledge and and while she has some very deep feelings and such hard perceptions on life and the rules in it she is still giddy and pretty like able, which is why I had a hard time remembering that she is some how going to turn into an evil wicked witch. I would just say it's a good book just because it starts out with a "green girl" who you know at some point she is going to turn evil and become a witch. Who could pass up wondering why?
Rating:
Summary: Rocky finish keeps it from being 5 stars
Review: This book was quite a nice little distraction. I usually do not read fantasy books, but it is a genre that I am starting to enjoy. This book could take place anywhere, and involve any group of characters, but just so happens to be set in OZ. In my view it is a very clever exercise in theologic theory. It chronicles the life of the "Wicked Witch" of the West, and the events that lead to her becoming the Witch. Some reviewers have given this book bad reviews, stating that the author did not do his research because things did not jive with what they remembered, i.e. The Movie. Well, the movie is not loyal to the actual book. This book does stay very close to the book. I would tell those reviewers to do THEIR research. It kills me that some people probably don't even know there is a book. I would really have given this book 5 stars, except that the ending is convaluted. The main character does things in the last section of the book that are SO against her character that was established in all the preceding pages. It is if Maguire needed to keep the book as close to 400 pages as possible, and he just wrote a quick ending. It was frustrating for me to read the irrational actions of a character I had come to like. Other than the ending it was a enjoyable read. If you like anything OZ, or you like a good fantasy read, you should give this book a try.
Rating:
Summary: Not your mom's Oz
Review: We read this in our book club and we all agreed this was a winner. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I felt the ending was rushed. Otherwise this was a fabulous journey into the life of a woman who has put fear in the hearts of small children everywhere. Maguire demystifies the world of Oz and humanizes Elphaba,(the Witch). We also learn why Glinda wore that hideous puffy dress to Munchkinland when the Witch of the East died. This book is sensuous, philosophical, satirical, and catty. Some parts will make you laugh out loud and some parts may make you reconsider your stance on animal rights. You will definitely reconsider any preconceptions you had about the Witches of OZ, the Wizard and "heroic" little Dorothy. Definitely recommended. If you can find a rainy weekend to read the whole thing through, go for it! Caution; beware of saffron cream cravings.
Rating: 
Summary: WOW!
Review: Gregory Maguire has done it again. My love for the adventures of OZ have once again been refreshed. Wicked is a highly detailed book on the wicked witches life. Why did she become so wicked. All is answered in this book. It is a very indepth story from the time the green woman was born to her late late life. I'm sure that you will find this book interesting. It takes you on a fantastic journey and takes you away from the daily hustle and bustle of life.
Rating:
Summary: Never look at Oz the same!
Review: I will never be able to watch the "Wizard of Oz" quite the same way again! This marvelous book tells the 'other' side of the story and gives you the history to back it up. Simply mesmerizing. The 'Wicked Witch' will make you look at the politics and religion of Oz, as well as a little girl who only wants to 'do no harm.' Excellent novel and simply couldn't put it down. 5 stars and then some!
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Premise... Nothing More!
Review: I can't believe the good reviews this book has pulled in. Inconsistent and poorely writen, I never once found my imagination roaming the enchanted world of OZ. It was as if the author thought he was being clever in showing the true events (behind the scenes). Even when the author recants the point which Dorothy acquires the ruby shoes, he does so without the Wicked Witch being pressent... that's not how I remember it. Come on Gregory, at least do your homework!
Rating:
Summary: The Cover is made of Glue!!
Review: Ten pages into this book and I couldn't put it down. Like the cover was made of glue or something. I don't think I'll ever be able to watch the Wizard of Oz again with the same perspective. I truly loved this book. It held me in the world it created on the pages and it was all I could talk about while I was reading it. My friends and co-workers thought I was crazy until one of them read it and they were just as blown away as I had been. When I finnished it I just held it in my hands and stared at it a few minutes while digesting the ending. I wanted to start it all over again right then and have more, more, more. Anyone slightly interested in the core story will love the expansion this book gives the reader. It answers a lot of those, I wonder why..... questions you get when you see a movie. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Rating:
Summary: "Oh, My!"
Review: Where have I been all my life? As an afficionada of things Oz, I am so glad I (belatedly) discovered this book via the wonderfully helpful lists and links here on Amazon.com! It is now one of my cherished all-time favorites. The book, which predates the Harry Potter series, is written from the biographical Point of View of Elphaba. According to Maguire's tale, neither Elphaba ("the Wicked Witch of the West") nor her sister Nessarose ("the Wicked Witch of the East") was BORN a witch. Indeed, they merely "fly" with what others tag them. This book CAN be judged by its excellent cover. And illustrations! There is an illustration at the beginning of each chapter, which is then repeated on the top of each page of that chapter. And a very helpful map of Oz! It is NOT a children's book - the Motion Picture Ratings people would probably give it an "R" because of some sexual content. It has deep ecological, philosophical, political, sociological, and theological axes to grind. I was reminded of my 2nd most favorite movie, "the Big Chill," as former college friends separate and then encounter each other later on. I was also reminded of an old-time computer game: Transylvania. (It came on the big old DOS floppies - remember them?) If a player didn't pick up various tools/instruments along the way, one was doomed on down the road. In this book, the story of the gathering of all the accoutrements of "witchhood" along Elphaba's life is sometimes happenstance and always clever. Maguire is "stuck" with Baum's unfortunate or fortuitous - depending on point of view - end to "the Wicked Witch of the West." But that ending isn't really an ending to this revisionist Oz World Maguire has created . There are many "loose ends." What becomes of Liir? It cries out for a sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Life's short, don't miss this one.
Review: Maguire has shown me the error of my ways. I had always thought Dorthy was doing a GOOD thing by killing the Wicked Witch of the West. Now I know it was all just a horrible mistake by a little girl who was completely out of her element. I very much appreciated the twist and depth to the original story that Wicked has introduced. As an earlier reviewer wrote, one of the themes in this book is that, "Everything is not as it seems." It gives one pause to think how very much like Dorthy we are in the bigger picture of the world. I'm the type of person who thinks life is too short to re-read books; however, this one I just might.
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