Wicked : Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, The

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Summary: The dark side of Oz
Review: Charming meets alarming. This revisionist look at the Wizard of Oz shows us the tale from the university-educated, broom-riding Witch's point-of-view. Reminds one a bit of Mary Stewart's Merlin series in that it humanizes a mythical, larger-than-life character. Flying monkeys still abound, along with some unsettling descriptions of their origins; and just how much did Dorothy know about the effect of water on the Witch before she emptied that bucket

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Summary: Wicked: The Nature of Evil
Review: Gregory Maguire, in his novel, WICKED, takes the character we all ready know and had learned to fear and hate - The Wicked Witch of the West - and attempts to tell the reader the whole story of this so-called witch. This novel is a great fantasy for the mature reader -- this book is for adults or young adults, it is in no way written in the same way the original books of Oz were; and that being for young children. Gregory Maguire takes us from her birth to her unfortunate death. The reader gets to know the Witch and discover the true story of Oz. That being of hardships, and the tyranic rule of an evil, moral-less Wizard. Gregory gives a name to this witch, Elphaba, and the reader learns to love her. It's a superb novel, with extrodinary use and control of language, and with vivid imagery. The book discusses the nature of evil, the existance of the soul, and the effects of popular opinion in this extravagant and in-depth story. It should come highly recomended to anyone who loves fan

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Summary: An excellent read with rich language and imagery.
Review: If you enjoy books such as Grendel or Good Omens:The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter then you should greatly enjoy this rich tale from the perspective of Aelphaba, Wicked Witch of the West. The tale takes you through a an examination of how those mosters we have been told to revile got to where they were. It also requires a closer examination of what we consider evil and good and how we make those judgements. Definitely a book for those who want to think but love a good story with rich langauge and imagery

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Summary: It's not your usual fairy tale
Review: We all know the story of the Wizard of Oz, generally from the Judy Garland movie. A few lucky ones may have read the original Baum books as children. But haven't you ever wondered if this wasn't perhaps just another Hollywood whitewash? Didn't you suspect, just for a minute, that maybe things weren't quite what they seemed? And didn't the Emerald City seem just a *bit* too...peaceful? Enter Gregory Maguire's artful retelling of the saga.Oz turns out to be a much more complicated place than the Baum telling suggests. It's more like an enchanted Machivellian kingdom in which you may meet rebellious lowlanders, Munchkin clerics and talking Animals. There's lust as well- for power as well as for more basic human desires. This is not the children's version. The Wicked Witch turns out to be quite a different character than the Witch of the books, as does her sister and their schoolmate Glinda. The Woodsman chops more than wood with his axe, and the Wizard has more on his mind than impressing the peasants with a few tricks. This is a land where evil has been flourishing under the guise of paternalistic rule. At the same time it's a wonderfully captivating tale, with richly drawn characters and a terribly involving plot. It's a book you'll reread time and again.

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Summary: A Wicked Witch or a Dermatological Problem: you decide.
Review: Ever since the publication of "The Wonderful Wizard of OZ" and its subsequent immortlization as a movie, the Wicked Witch of the West has been maligned, feared and hated. Gregory Maguire's fascinating biography of this fictitious character gives depth and understanding to the real reason of her "wickedness." Maguire puts a whole new twist on the story of the Witch--if you were born with green skin and hated and reviled by your parents, what would be your outcome in life? This book takes Ephelba from birth clear to her sad demise at the hands of a cold-blooded murderess. Along the way, we learn about the politics of Oz as well as the psychological profiles of many of its greatest citizens. Maguire treats his book with great skill, never going for the easy laugh or gag, but presents a fascinating new twist on a tale that many have heard since infancy. No longer a fairy tale, but a history--this book is a must for all lovers of Oz, fantasy and the blending of fantasy and life

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Summary: Rich, thoughtful look at Oz through the Wicked Witch's eyes
Review: This new novel set in the Land of Oz resembles nothing written by Oz creator L. Frank Baum. Elphaba and Nessarose Thropp were both born with rather unusual qualities, Elphaba being green and her sister Nessarose armless, but both attended Shiz University and became rulers of their respective kingdoms of Winkie Country and Munchkinland. Elphaba, eventually known as the Witch of the West, is a well-constructed and engaging character. One might expect a revisionist tale to turn Dorothy and her companions into villains, but Maguire is too good a writer to do this. Instead, he lets the reader see the meeting between Dorothy and the Wicked Witch from Elphaba's point of view, with its tragic, but somehow inevitable, consequences. The Baum contingent may disagree, but I could quite comfortably put "Wicked" on the same shelf with the original Oz books

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Summary: Intriguing retelling of the classic fairy tale.
Review: Baum gives readers the briefest of glimpses into the land of Oz. But what kind of a place is Oz, and what kind of people live there? Meet Elphaba, a wise and sensitive girl who grows up to be who people call "The Wicked Witch of the West," and learn that nothing is as it appears. In Wicked, readers learn about the political struggles of the people of Oz, the country, its geography and its political and economic strife. Learn why Elphaba was green, where the ruby red slippers came from, what Dorothy really was like. Maguire has a knack for the retelling of this famous tale, and his explanations make sense. In short, if you loved The Wizard of Oz, you want to read Wicked to know the whole truth..

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Summary: Absolutely Brilliant
Review: Admittedly, this book isn't for everyone. This is Oz on a very adult level; certainly NOT everyone's idea of a fairy tale. A friend recommended this book and I was immediately interested in its concept. But my friend also forewarned me that it was not "an easy read." I beg to differ... the book grabbed me from the beginning and held my attention until the end. The characters were fascinating. I realize that some (many) reviewers just "don't get it" when it comes to this book, so as I said it may not be everyone's cup of tea. But for those willing to invest the time and attention, it is simply a brilliant, thought-provoking read!

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Summary: "Wickedly" amazing
Review: Let's face it. America has always had a fascination with "The Wizard of Oz". We all know the Wicked Witch of the West very well. Sure, she is green, mysterious, and evil, but we know all there is to know about her...right?

Gregory Maguire has single-handedly (well, I suppose "double-handedly" with L. Frank Baum's inspiration) created the best work of fiction yet to be read. It is brilliant, cynical, and has ruthless yet emotional tones with which this tapestry is weaved. His words dance through the pages as you eagerly read the best book ever written.

Why is this book so good? The mystery with the Wicked Witch of the West is explained, but told...well, mysteriously. You see, we are told about her, but we stil do not understand her. It is a free sample, but not enough to satisfy. This brilliant master of storytelling does this by intensifying the mystery held through her.

It starts off with a priest, Frex, and his manizer wife, Melena, parting because he has to convert some Munchkins and a villager who we do not know much about sleeps with Melena, thus empregnating her with Elphaba...or the Wicked Witch of the West, as she shall become.

Unlike most books, this is not told beginning to end. It begins with her infancy, jumps to her going to college, her midlife, her in her mid-40s, and her final days. On the way, she puts up with Nessarose, her handicapped sister who is destined to become the Wicked Witch of the East and Galinda, later Glinda. They at first cannot stand each other, but gain a gradual respect and love for one another.

This book, despite its title, is not a direct focus on Elphaba. It is an epic tale of the witches of Oz, which initally contradict everything we think we know about Oz, but eventually fall into place as Oz is torn by politics, racial descrepencies, and other issues that unite yet seperate these three intelligent women. "Wicked" is an absolute must-read and it is good for teenagers and older because of some explicit sex scenes.

I hope you enjoy "Wicked". It changes your views on the birth and roots of evil. And if you enjoy it very much, I strongly suggest the Broadway cast Album...it is brilliant and you would probably love it as much as, if not more than, the book. They both display the blatan world which describes just how no one mourns the wicked.

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Summary: ...a wicked feast of language and allegory.
Review: So, you thought you knew the story of Oz.

Maguire gives a whole new spin on the classic L. Frank Baum story. From the Wicked Witch of the West's childhood as an obvious outsider, to her school days which shape her ideals, to her time as a visionary, fighting for Animal rights. The story introduces you to Elphaba's one great love and her later years as an outcast. Maguire paints the picture of a woman torn by her passions and her ethics. It will leave you asking yourself to define just what is wicked?

A gripping story that kept me flipping the pages.