duffbert
"Everyone has a background story that you know little about..."
Let's talk books!
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
A book by Gregory Maguire.
Born with green skin and huge teeth, like a dragon, the free-spirited Elphaba grows up to be an anti-totalitarian agitator, an animal-rights activist, a nun, then a nurse who tends the dying?and, ultimately, the headstrong Wicked Witch of the West in … see full wiki
Author:
Gregory Maguire
Publisher:
Harper Paperbacks
20 reviews about Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked...
Showing 1-20 of 20
I loved this book, but I made the mistake of reading it after I saw the musical. The musical is loosely based on the book. I love both though. The telling of the story of Oz from the Wicked Witch's point of view. WE now get her trin of thought, and see how and why she is portrayed as she is in "The Wizard of Oz."Read this book and it's sequals like they are glimpses from the other side.
Comments (2)
Compliments (7)
Since childhood, I have been a fan of the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, which was based upon L. Frank Baum's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. While I have not read the Baum original, the movie was about what happens when Dorothy Gale's house lands in Oz, killing the Wicked Witch of the East, and how the Wicked Witch of the West pursues her to get back her sister's ruby slippers. We just presume that the Wicked Witch has always been wicked. But has she? This book, … more
Comments (4)
Compliments (45)
Before you go on. Be warned when I start talking about this book I have a tendency to say to much. I tried not to put too many details out there to ruin it but if you haven't read it and want to be surprised don't read this review yet. I have to say I never would have considered reading this book had it not been for my sister in law. She read the book and wouldn't stop talking about it. So in an effort to make her stop I read it. I absolutely love this … more
Comments (2)
Compliments (51)
I was really touched by the original story line of Wicked. It changed my perspective of the Wizard of Oz story completely. Growing up having been in love with the movie, I found myself resenting everything it stood for, as if it were a non-fiction situation, and Wicked had revealed the truth to me. I would recommend this book to anyone who loved the movie, and wants a huge reality check on their perception of this fictional world. If you were hoping … more
Comments (3)
Compliments (48)
This is an extremely well written book. I was sucked into the characters lives. I read it in my teens and remember being appalled and fascinated at the "truth behind the story" portrayal that Maguire presents. I would reccomend this reading to anyone in their late teens as at that age it is shocking, intriguing, and exciting all at the same time. It also helps a person to see other moralities and question their own morality and way of thinking by example. … more
Comments (1)
Compliments (24)
review by Sheri_in_Reho.
December 30, 2010
Since childhood, I have been a fan of the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, which was based upon L. Frank Baum's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. While I have not read the Baum original, the movie was about what happens when Dorothy Gale's house lands in Oz, killing the Wicked Witch of the East, and how the Wicked Witch of the West pursues her to get back her sister's ruby slippers. We just presume that the Wicked Witch has always been wicked. But has she? This book, Wicked, on … more
Comment
Compliment
Going into this book, I knew that it was about the Wicked Witch of the West from Frank L. Baum’s The Wizard of Oz, but I really knew very little else. As the saying goes, there are two sides to every story and the author of Wicked, Gregory Maguire, does an excellent job of portraying this idea. Baum makes the story very fantastical and interesting, but it is also presented over the course of a few days (or a dream, depending on your viewpoint), so the scope is very limited. One of the things … more
Comments (1)
Compliments (8)
review by Teazer360.
July 02, 2010
I love the different view of Oz that Gregory Maguire presents in this first part of three. Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West is far more different than what people think and it is inspiring to me since I have a morbid habit of sympathizing with the bad guys in books and movies. I felt excited and couldn't put it down. I love the way all the main characters in Oz are portrayed. Its like an intense emotional roller coaster that you don't want to get off of. … more
Comment
Compliments (7)
Quick Tip by gwenbasil.
August 09, 2010
I very much reccomend. Best retelling of a "classic" story I've encountered. Makes you re-assess a few ideas (hopefully)
Comment
Compliment
not my favorite book by this author. i really enjoyed most of his other books though, so defo check out those if you like this one.
Comment
Compliment
Very entertaining... it's a whole new take with a whole new point of view!
Comment
Compliment
Quick Tip by blnchsr.
July 09, 2010
Have tried numerous times to get into this, but it is a very hard read.
Comment
Compliment
wasnt expecting this book when i read it, but its a good read none the less.
Comment
Compliment
This book can be slow at times, but it's a really interesting spin on the Wicked Witch of the West.
Comment
Compliment
Quick Tip by Teazer360.
July 02, 2010
A great novel for those who love the Wicked Witch of the West or a different version of Oz!
Comment
Compliment
I always felt sorry of the wicked witch. She finally gets her turn in this book. I love, love, love this book. the storytelling is wonderful and I can finally see the wicked witch as a human being that was just misunderstood.
Comment
Compliment
Love love love this book. I have painted many scenes from this book in my sketch pad. I cannot decide if I want to see the play since I loved the book so much.
Comments (1)
Compliment
One of my all-time favorite books. Deals with racism in a totally unique way. Very tough read for me at the start though -- took several chapters to get into the style of writing and the language. Totally worth it though. HUGE fan of the musical as well!
Comment
Compliment
"Wicked" is the story of Oz as might have been narrated by Karl Marx, by which I mean it is boring and filled with dull proletarian propaganda. Why did Gregory Maguire take a charming fairy tale and turn it into a history of genocide and the struggle of the masses against their oppressive rulers? His "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister" was an appealing historical novel--no magic, but an interesting variation of the Cinderella story. I was expecting the same from this novel, … more
Comment
Compliment
OK... probably not the type of book I'd pick up with no external influence. But on the cruise, one of the shows had a snippet from a musical called Wicked. I found out a little about what it was based on, and then saw the paperback by the same name... Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. As I was running out of reading material, I decided to pick it up and give it a try. It was better than I expected, and was a unique perspective on the classic movie The … more
Comment
Compliment
- About Lunch
- Press
- FAQs
- Contact Us
- Terms of Service
- Privacy Policy
- Sitemap
- Report Abuse
© 2013 Lunch.com, LLC All Rights Reserved
Lunch.com - Relevant reviews by real people.