An astonishingly rich re-creation of the land of Oz, this book retells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, who wasn't so wicked after all. Taking readers past the yellow brick road and into a phantasmagoric world rich with imagination and allegory, Gregory Maguire just might change the reputation of one of the most sinister characters in literature.
Wicked (Wicked Years 1)
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'Gregory Maguire's Wicked" falls into a fascinating sub-genre of novels that revisit well-known stories as much in the spirit of criticism ashomage.Maguire...makes sense of Baum's whims, creating a credible Oz for grown-ups, with religion, politics, racial tensions, an economy, mythology, humour and sex... As moving and tragic as it is refreshing and scurrilous... This outstanding novel.' -- The Independent 20060308 'Bodiceripper set infantasy land...GONE WITH THE WINDin Camelot... Characters have immense moral struggles... They're very passionate.' -- The Scotsman on Sunday 20060430
About the Author
Gregory Maguire is a bestselling author who has earned rave reviews and a dedicated following for WICKED. He received his doctorate in English Literature from Tufts University, and has taught at Simmons College and other Boston area colleges. He has also served as an artist-in-residence at the Blue Mountain Center, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Hambridge Center. Gregory has lived in Dublin and London, but now makes his home near Boston, Massachusetts, with his partner, their two sons and daughter.
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First Sentence
From the crumpled bed the wife said, "I think today's the day. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
From the crumpled bed the wife said, "I think today's the day. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
71 of 73 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
In Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, Gregory Maguire has written a novel that deals with the life of Elphaba, an emerald-green skinned young woman who was born into the family of a preacher and his wife in Munchkinland. Elphaba's family are not Munchkinlanders, however, and Elphaba grows up knowing more than she ever wanted to know about persecution and alienation. As a result, she becomes somewhat introverted, rebellious and yes, a little wicked.
When we all root for Dorothy as she triumphs over the Wicked Witch of the West in Frank Baum's Oz tales, we seem to forget that we are only hearing Dorothy's side of the story. There is more to Elphaba than wickedness and Maguire proves it as he chronicles Elphaba's odyssey through the land of Oz.
What makes Wicked such a special book is the fact that Maguire has written a story that challenges our preconceived notions of what, exactly, is good and what, exactly, is evil, with the character of Elphaba at the heart of the matter. Although Dorothy does make an appearance near the end of the book, it really isn't necessary to know anything about her or the Baum stories to understand and appreciate Wicked.
In Wicked, we follow the life of Elphaba as we learn what shaped her personality, what it really means to be a witch and how things are not always as we think them to be or even as we want them to be. The characters in Wicked are fully-fleshed out and believable. Besides Elphaba, there is her university roommate, Glinda; Boq, the lovelorn Munchkin; Fiyero, a tribal prince from the primitive West of Oz; and Nessarose, Elphaba's beautiful and witchy sister.
The fantasy elements in Wicked are actually quite light; this is no book for children and it even runs the risk of becoming overburdened by the weighty issues it seeks to tackle. Maguire could have let this book slip into nothing more than a sappy view of the technologies and magic that pervade the land of Oz. Instead, he wisely chose to focus on the people, instead and he has created characters that are vibrant, strong and full of life.
Maguire's Oz is no Utopia and Elphaba is more than just a green-skinned witch. She is a woman who has become wise through the mechanations of guilt and sorrow and one who is, surprisingly, actually happy to meet the young girl from Kansas who eventually shows up at her door.
Wicked is more than satire; it is an imaginative, fast-paced, fantastically real and supremely entertaining novel of vision and revision. Once you read it, Oz will never be the same again.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
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.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By xenofan
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
It was with much anticipation that I settled down to begin Wicked. It seemed to be exactly my kinda thing - a retelling of a classic, from the "bad guy's" point of view.
I wasn't sure what to think at first. There were some overly crude sexual referrances which were a bit too much, even for me (seemed a bit unnecessary) and the writing was... wordy. But the characters were interesting, and the concept alone kept me hooked, hoping to be impressed.
It's just that not really all that much seems to happen in this book. Many of the major events actually happen off-stage, even though they concern the main characters. Whole chunks of time are skipped, often leaving me feeling like I've missed out after discovering what happened during those gaps. I was left with too many questions unanswered, and feeling like I'd been cheated out of a few hours of my time: the book could have been told in half the pages. There were a lot of events that just seemed... pointless, never to really go anywhere or be resolved or explained. Perhaps that's just meant to be a reflection of how life really is, - not everything ever gets resolved or makes that much sense - but I don't read books to put up with yet more of "real life".
I'm of the opinion this might be one of those love it or hate it things. I will not go so far as to say I hated it, because I was at least able to find it interesting enough to read through to the end. But I didn't find the whole effort very rewarding. And I won't be reading this book again.
I wasn't sure what to think at first. There were some overly crude sexual referrances which were a bit too much, even for me (seemed a bit unnecessary) and the writing was... wordy. But the characters were interesting, and the concept alone kept me hooked, hoping to be impressed.
It's just that not really all that much seems to happen in this book. Many of the major events actually happen off-stage, even though they concern the main characters. Whole chunks of time are skipped, often leaving me feeling like I've missed out after discovering what happened during those gaps. I was left with too many questions unanswered, and feeling like I'd been cheated out of a few hours of my time: the book could have been told in half the pages. There were a lot of events that just seemed... pointless, never to really go anywhere or be resolved or explained. Perhaps that's just meant to be a reflection of how life really is, - not everything ever gets resolved or makes that much sense - but I don't read books to put up with yet more of "real life".
I'm of the opinion this might be one of those love it or hate it things. I will not go so far as to say I hated it, because I was at least able to find it interesting enough to read through to the end. But I didn't find the whole effort very rewarding. And I won't be reading this book again.
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3.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
read it after youve seen the show
heavyweight and complex but worth the effort. i really enjoyed comparing the musical show with the book. seeing where the story has been simplified and prettied up. Read more
Published 6 days ago by bubbletastic
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great story, poor quality
Was told quality was 'very good' yet there was a large crease on the front cover and other scuffs and marks. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Abbie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wicked
Best book I've read in a long time.
Anyone reading this book cannot help but sympathize with the wicked witch
Anyone reading this book cannot help but sympathize with the wicked witch
Published 15 days ago by Allan Cottrell
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent read
a very good book, couldn't put it down. not a childrens book like the original wizard of Oz but it gives a much more fun view on the story (=
Published 26 days ago by Jemimah
5.0 out of 5 stars
best book ive ever read!!!!!!!!
brilliant book fantastic condition looked like new,great price could not ask for more,and theres 3 more I would really recommend this book funny and a completely different look on... Read more
Published 1 month ago by dg
2.0 out of 5 stars
Hard work
Difficult to read at times boring very disappointing, I really only read it as I had paid for it thought it would explain the stage show but no it has left me with no sense of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by debra roe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
Having recently seen "Wicked" the musical on Broadway, in NYC, I really wanted to read the book! I was amazed. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Elphie
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
This story didn't grip me as much as I'd hoped it would. Still worth a read if you like the musical.
Published 1 month ago by Y. Paterson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Super book
Ordered this book as had seen the show and wanted to read the book.
Outstandingly good book and really captures the essence of how easy it is to get thigs wrong!! Read more
Outstandingly good book and really captures the essence of how easy it is to get thigs wrong!! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Miss L. K. Sole
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wicked!
Book arrived quickly and in good condition. Being a fan of the musical, it will be nice to find out the back story behind it.
Published 2 months ago by RosyPosey
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