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Summary: a wicked read in every way....
Review: The very concept of the life and times of Elphaba, who would become known as THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST, practically calls to us from the bookshelf -- we love to hate her. And, concequently, we are drawn to "Wicked" as though it might be a grocery-checkout tabloid -- a chance to leer just a moment longer at that boney Margaret Hamilton face. But it isn't the MGM witch who stares back at us from the pages -- it is a REAL Elphaba. A child, a woman, a misfit, an inventor, a creative spirit, a moral thinker, a wounded heart.... ultimately a piece in a much larger puzzle.From the spare line drawings which have the force of nightmare images, to the political and social criticism of OZ (and us), to the hidden truths that no single character (but only the reader) seems to have in full grasp, to the final creeping and queazy suspicions about the Great and Powerful OZ himself, WICKED is a glass of cold milk in the face of simplistic narrative and over-simplified cinema. There's more going on here than the foolish child Dorothy ever dreamed.... Every word is luscious and satisfying.
Rating: 
Summary: Dissapointed and a bit disgusted
Review: Okay, I bought the book because of the cover and the title, I know you're not supposed to do that, but come on, it looked interesting. WICKED could have been good, it has a great subject, but Maguire confuses the reader by introducing wild amounts of new characters and settings that it becomes alienating. Not the OZ we all know and love. He not only seemed determined to change Oz but destroy it forever. I would like to think that the word ... is not a part of the Oz vocabulary. With all the sexual tones it may seem the Maguire is trying to prove a point about Oz and it's citizens, he is not sucessful. Please, if you are looking for worthwile addition to the world of Oz, DON'T READ THIS BOOK!
Rating: 
Summary: A Quick Read
Review: I found this book entertaining, but wanting in plot and character development. I needed it to be longer.
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Summary: Wicked is Wonderful
Review: If you ever wondered about the "before" of characters in any terrific story, this is a book for you. This is an intricately detailed tale, biography or explanation of the Wicked Witch of the West. Her family life, education, friends, lover and political inclinations are all presented in a well woven story format. You find yourself looking for (and finding) explanations about some of the details portrayed in the Wizard of Oz. It is great reading for people with an imagination.
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Summary: Now we know why she was wicked
Review: I loved this book. What an imaginative mind Maguire must have to create this story. I kept forgetting that "The Wizard of OZ" was fiction when I read this; I thought I was reading a true biography. A taste of biography, science fiction and thriller all rolled into one.
I recently tried to read another book by Maguire (Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister) based on the Cinderella story, but didn't find it anywhere near as compelling as Wicked. I definitely recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Wicked
Review: Wicked, The Life and Times of The Wicked Witch of the West is an interesting take on a novel idea. It's the story of a little green girl who grew up to be the famous, Wicked Witch of the West from L Frank Baum's tale we've come to know as The Wizard of Oz. Yes, Wicked is almost like a biography of her life from birth till death. Author Gregory Maguire has taken the nemesis of Dorothy Gale from Kansas in the "Wicked Witch" and showed us a possibility of how this main character came to be. This story literally starts with the odd birth of Elphaba (the witch's real name) under the mysterious Clock of the Time Dragon and ends with her death at the demise of Dorothy Gale's hands. The story of Wicked, is about seeing a whole other perspective. As the reader, you can not but help but be intrigued in matching up what you know is already the historical background for this novel's idea - characters, events and names from the original movie. If you ever thought the Wizard of Oz was all about singing, dancing, ruby slippers and a bit of house damage after a storm, Wicked will certainly make you think again. The land of Oz is anything but innocent, it is a highly political land ruled by a fantasy version of a Royal Monarchy - The Ozmas, an all female ruling class. Racisim and segregation are apparent throughout the book and not just with the predjuice Elphaba experiences throughout her life as someone obviously different from others. We learn that the famous Yellow Brick Road was in fact created on a whim by the Ozma The Beloved who taxed farmers heavily for the inconvenience of a road they did not want or need. The Wizard of Oz, is in fact a Kansas man who has mysteriously landed in Oz on a quest of his own. As his quest takes time, he ends up doing what any discover of a land does by invasion, and makes a political pass for the throne of Oz. Thus becoming the Wizard, a cruel ruler who cares for little more than himself. We find out the true nature of Glinda The Good Witch and Elphaba's younger sister the Wicked Witch of the East gets more than a mention. Not to forget of course, about how those magical ruby slippers came to be and their signifigance. The novel Wicked definitely stands out as a modern day fairy tale. Taking the way we know things in 'our world' and adding the element of fantasy with talking animals, odd looking characters and mixing it up with historical roles of invaders, military dictatorship and politics. Along with Characters who have families and friends that the reader might find in any community. This cleverly written novel allows the reader to escape and identify this type of world at the same time.
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Summary: DELETE
Review: DELETE
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Summary: What a Woman!
Review: This character has always fascinated me and in this book she was brought to life. She was given a history and we can see why she was how she was. It also brought to mind the question "What is evil?" We were led to believe she was evil by viewing the movie from the perspective of Dorothy. Here we can see the perspective of the Witch. We meet characters from the movie, and delve into their lives as well. We explore the politics of OZ and their religious beliefs. The author holds true to events from the movie and adds to them as well. Truly, I LOVED this book and I highly recommend it for anyone who has an interest in OZ. I was sad to see it end.
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Summary: Best book I have read this year.
Review: What an incredible novel. Maguire had the courage to require something from his readers. He asks some difficult questions. Where does evil come from? What is evil? Still, the only reason that this book is a hit is because it is a great story. Darkness, love, forgiveness, friendship, rejection. Elphaba is given a human side. She is smart, but not very pleasant. She is ugly, but she has real feelings that can be hurt just as easily as anyone else's. I think everyone can see a little bit of her in themselves. The novel is funny and suspenseful, but dark and mysterious. Finding out how she evolved to become "The Wicked Witch of the West" is a wonderful epic journey.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful! My favorite book ever, I think!
Review: This is a wonderful book! On the light level, it's a fun read full of familiar characters and places. On the deep level it explores such themes as oppression, prejudice, evil and good, and love and hate. It's great fun and very well written, and Maguire creates a "Wicked Witch of the West" who becomes an immensely poignant character full of contradictions ... . I'm re-reading it already to catch all that I missed the first time.
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