Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
by Gregory Maguire
I realize this book was originally published thirteen years ago (1995), but I couldn’t resist writing a review on one of the most brilliant books of recent times. If you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up on your next visit to Barnes and Noble.
Wicked is the untold tale of Elphaba, best known to us as the Wicked Witch of the West. Had you ever even wondered what her story was? How did she end up being so mean? Why did she really want those ruby slippers anyway? Well, Gregory Maguire has unfolded the sordid details of the green witch, who we all grew up watching on television as she tried desperately to destroy sweet Dorothy and her friends. Little did we know that underneath that lizard-like skin lived an intelligent, unique, and loving woman who was always misunderstood.
Wicked shares with us the story of Elphaba’s birth, her years as a college student at Shiz where she is roommates and friends with Glinda (yes, that Glinda!), how she ends up in the Emerald City working against the great Oz, and finally falls in love only to lose him in her fight against evil. You will meet her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East, and finally understand the meaning and importance of those slippers (which, by the way, aren’t really ruby at all!) Remember those creepy flying monkeys? You’ll meet Elphaba’s favorite monkey and the reason why she decided to give them wings.
Wicked is a winding tale that weaves the threads of Munchkinland, the Yellow Brick Road, our childhood memories and the magic of friendship, family, and forgiveness together, to enhance the story we grew up loving as kids. Trust me; you will NEVER look at The Wizard of Oz in the same way again.
by Gregory Maguire
I realize this book was originally published thirteen years ago (1995), but I couldn’t resist writing a review on one of the most brilliant books of recent times. If you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up on your next visit to Barnes and Noble.
Wicked is the untold tale of Elphaba, best known to us as the Wicked Witch of the West. Had you ever even wondered what her story was? How did she end up being so mean? Why did she really want those ruby slippers anyway? Well, Gregory Maguire has unfolded the sordid details of the green witch, who we all grew up watching on television as she tried desperately to destroy sweet Dorothy and her friends. Little did we know that underneath that lizard-like skin lived an intelligent, unique, and loving woman who was always misunderstood.
Wicked shares with us the story of Elphaba’s birth, her years as a college student at Shiz where she is roommates and friends with Glinda (yes, that Glinda!), how she ends up in the Emerald City working against the great Oz, and finally falls in love only to lose him in her fight against evil. You will meet her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East, and finally understand the meaning and importance of those slippers (which, by the way, aren’t really ruby at all!) Remember those creepy flying monkeys? You’ll meet Elphaba’s favorite monkey and the reason why she decided to give them wings.
Wicked is a winding tale that weaves the threads of Munchkinland, the Yellow Brick Road, our childhood memories and the magic of friendship, family, and forgiveness together, to enhance the story we grew up loving as kids. Trust me; you will NEVER look at The Wizard of Oz in the same way again.
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