Review of Wicked by Gregory Maguire

• Mass Market Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Harper (September 25, 2007)
• ISBN-10: 0061350966

The story of the Wicked Witch of the West from her POV.  Been looking forward to reading this for a long time.  Was not quite what I expected but I really enjoyed it.  The thing is, it is not a fast read (and I am not sure why not).

Elphaba was destined for a hard life from the time she was born.  Being green with scary teeth sure did not make it easy for her mother to love her.

Maguire gives a backstory to her, Glinda and her sister the Witch of the East.  Not to mention, the Wizard, with a twist I was not excepting.

One big surprise for me is that she really was NOT a sorceress.  It was more a psychological battle for her.  With ANIMAL rights, questions on the nature of good and evil, politics and manipulations. I would feel sorry for her at times, but it never lasted.  She was such and angry woman.

Dorothy and the murder are still the climax of the book but it is a very long journey to that part, leaving Dorothy almost incidental.

Will defintiely try more of Maguire's fables at some point.

But I have to honestly say, I can't envision a musical on this story so will HAVE to see it someday. LOL


Terri