Rating: 
Summary: MUST READ
Review: Confession of an ugly stepsister is nothing less than masterful, captivating and entertaining. The author has capture the essence of "Cinderella" and bottled it into a very believable life story. If you ever wonder why the stepsisters where considered evil or why the young soon to be royal bride was called Cinderella, this book will answer your questions and much more! I enjoyed every chapter of this truly exceptional book. I am sure that this book will continual to expand the already huge cult following of Gregory Maguire. The bottom-line; is it worth the money? You bet! Maguires use of symbolism is magnificent and equally matched by his prose. So slide into your high heel glass slipper and dive into an imaginary wonderland.
Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat divergent from the original Oz
Review: I really enjoyed this book and the new depth to the character of the Wicked Witch of the West. However, as a huge Wizard of Oz fan (the reason I read the book in the first place), I was disappointed at the degree to which the author diverged from the *real* story line: in some instances, the story dovetailed with what we know to be true about the WWoftheW and other times it went on as if the original Oz never happened. OK, we've learned how the flying monkeys came to be, but what about the great scenes during/after the witch abducts Dorothy and her companions and brings them to her castle? The wicked witch of this book is not nearly so wicked as the delightfully green-faced Margaret Hamilton played her in the movie.
Rating:
Summary: brilliant
Review: What a great thought-provoking read! I was so sorry when it was over. I want to go back.
Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: Not being a huge fan of fantasy, I didn't know what to expect when I read this book...but I absolutely fell in love with it...a more sympathetic character than Elphaba would be hard to find...I loved her, admired her, felt her pain...in fact, I loaned this book to a friend, and never got it back...so now I'm looking to replace it...even if I never read it again, it's one of those books that I just have to have in my possession.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing and Creative
Review: This is by far one the all time favorites books in my collection. I just purchased the new title, "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister". I can't wait to start it. Gregory Macquire is one of the most talented story tellers of our time.
Rating: 
Summary: Wicked Cool
Review: This book captured my attention from the beginning with it's wonderful concept. I had very low expectations, having been very disappointed with another twist on the Oz story, WAS, which I found so poorly written, I couldn't finish it. This book was very different. I am grateful that McGuire's prose was complex and interesting, his characters three-dimensional and realistic (even the Goat with his lack of opposable thumbs and a PhD), and a HEROINE (not a hero). Not only is she a heroine, she's a fabulously intelligent, self-sufficient, sexy and original one. I loved that. I was disapointed to come to th end, wanting to spend a few more generations in the land of Oz. This book is a good, fun read.
Rating: 
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: This was very boring--not what I was expecting at all. I thought it would have more fantasy and whimsy. What it does have are very long passages discussing politics, philosophy, and ruminations about good vs evil. It was a challenge to get through. I know I am in the minority here from reading the other reviews. But I think an alternative opinion is good.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely NOT a children's book or Baum -- but brilliant!
Review: This extraordinary book is that very rare combination of literary novel, imagination, and study in political maneuverings which demands attention from the reader -- and delivers an extraordinary and deeply satisfyng yarn in return.Because the land of Oz is a place we all think we know so well, either from Baum's 14 books or the other 28 written about that land (not to mention The Movie) it is difficult to imagine that there could be a viable adult novel with Oz as a setting. Maguire has not only created that novel, but has written a story as complex as any by Ludlum or King, as filled with fascinating, well-drawn characters as any by Irving, and as capable of evoking memories as the best of historical biography. This is an adult book, for grown-up readers with a passion for well-written books about fascinating people caught up in untenable situations. It is that rarest of rare finds -- a book which deserves multiple readings, and which will reveal new levels each time it is read.
Rating: 
Summary: What does this book want to be?
Review: I stumbled on this book at Amazon and bought it solely because of the customer reviews here. The good reviews outnumbered and out-intensified the bad, and I was (am) intrigued by points of view that have gone unconsidered. My feeling was that you've just gotta like a book whose subtitle is "The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West". Or at least ya gotta like the title.... It is one of the few books I have decided to quit without finishing. I gave it several extra chances after initially contemplating quitting. I've quit about a third of the way through. Maybe the remainder of the book redeems the problems that made me quit. I choose not to find out. My comments are only about the first third, then, and of course as always Maybe It's Just Me. But my comments still might be of value to potential readers, so here. I found it darker than I thought it needed to be Of course I'm not the arbiter of how dark it needs to be, but it was darker than I wanted to read -- dark in a way that felt not useful. I also found it required too much suspension of disbelief. I realize it's a fantasy, and I enjoy some fantasies, but I just couldn't get past things like a goat who is able to speak quite clear English (enough to be a university professor) yet who requires assistance with writing because "of course" he can't use a pen and paper with those hooves. **But of course he can speak English with his lips and tongue?** If such incongruity made a good point, or were necessary to the story, I would accept it, but.... it wasn't. Or it was and I am obtuse. Some reviewers here said it gets off to a slow start. Must be -- or it never gets going. After reading the first quarter of the book I was wondering when anything was going to HAPPEN that had anything to do with the nature of evil. I still hadn't seen anything thought-provoking. The witch was born and was discriminated against. Some politics and religion happened, very superficially. If there's more to the story, I was very disappointed not to have found it yet. Again: Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm not a sufficiently sophisticated reader. (I think I am, but...) But I found this book not adding anything to my life. I'd like to know what other books the rave reviewers here have read, and what other sorts of books they like. I'm thinking they either just have different tastes than mine or they have very low standards and don't know there's better out there for provoking thought.
Rating:
Summary: If you like the wizard of oz--this is a must!
Review: The first 50 pages are very boring but it really does tell you information that will come to use later...this book is awesome...you must at all cost read this book.
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