Reviews

First I'd like to say that I love spin-offs, re-tellings, etc... of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz and other old stories like that. So of course as soon as I see one, I go for it. Wicked was more of a this-is-how-we-got-here kind of thing. I loved seeing things from the Witches point of view. There were some disturbing parts that caught me off guard, but I love it when books can surprise me. I also loved that the book had me thinking about what "evil" really is and about the aspects of religion.
I wouldn't recommend this for everyone, this isn't one of those books that is on top of my "oh hey, read this because you'll love it because I loved it!" list. As much as I loved I, it was a one time read for me. It was interesting and I plan to read the new three books throughout next year.
I will admit that some parts of the books were boring and seemed to drag on, I would forget what happened in the last few pages and had to go back and read it again, there wasn't much action -mostly talking and traveling-, and Maguire jumped forward a few years for each part.
Otherwise it was a great read.

books_andprobablysome_wine's review against another edition

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4.0

3,5 rounded up :)

byashleylamar's review against another edition

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5.0

I am a big fan of the Wizard of Oz and I was told that I would never look at the movie the same way again so I was pretty apprehensive about reading this book but it was wonderful. I knew once I finished it that there were going to be very mixed reviews about this book. It is a book that you will either love (like me) or loathe (like so many others). It is complex and a bit pretentious and the language is very elaborate but the story is wonderful, especially if you pay attention. It is not a quick easy read and it is not a light fluffy tale. It is deep and complex and satirical.

malloreehill91's review against another edition

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4.0

The best of what i have read by Gregory Maguire. Tells the story of the Wicked Witch like you've never seen her before. It is dramatically different from the broadway musical but i loved that it was. The contrast between the book and musical allows for more appreciation of both works in stead of a direct comparison. You aren't left thinking that the musical didn't do the book justice or that the musical was better than the book. You are able to think of them as separate but similar. The book is much more political in nature and focuses mostly on the life of Elphaba and not her relationship with Glinda, like in the musical. You see the darker side to the world of Oz and the internal struggle of a Woman who is doomed to be misunderstood her whole life.