the_wicked_witch_of_the_south's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
It seems like a try out, not a real novel, like if Gregory was sketching a new one and the publishing company asked him to give it to them as is. It is not the great stories Maguire usually writes. The main character is off, mentally/socially/emotionally challenged and the author fails to make her seem normal
sabregirl's review against another edition
3.0
I can see why some people would think this book was horrible. It kinda gave a complete 180 from the beginning of the book. And at the end it was a rushed finish without the readers really knowing what happened. There are too many loose strings at the end of the novel that would leave any reader frustrated. Like how the hell did she get to come along when someone was picking up a child for adoption. What happened to the ghost, the horse blanket and all of that? What happened with Irv? I enjoyed the book, it was a complicated plot that made you think, but I really had the unresolved feeling the book self me with.
thevillainesswildcard's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jammasterjamie's review against another edition
1.0
If there was the option to give a book zero stars I would have chosen it for this worthless piece of drivel. Maguire's prose is as good and readable as ever, but in the case of the frenetic and uneven story of Winnie Rudge I have to wonder why one would bother. This book was annoying to read, and I think that Maguire should stick with what he knows: Rewriting other people's great ideas, because when it comes to relying on his own imagination he fails miserably.
blakemp's review against another edition
2.0
As much as I enjoyed Gregory Maguire's Wicked, I couldn't even believe this book was by the same author. Many of Maguire's works take unlikable, despicable characters and turn them into engaging, sympathetic protagonists. This book, on the other hand, is full of boring, unrelatable characters with little to redeem them. The story plods along and never gives you anything to latch on to, invest in, or care about. This is the first time I've considered reading one of Maguire's novels to be a chore.
cherrybomb43's review against another edition
2.0
I disliked this story because it was so all over the place. There are bones for a great story, but this author is so all over the place! Jack the Ripper, Peter Pan, Christmas Carol... And then the heroine is not likable, random, bothersome and irritating. Skip this one.
bmarie9716's review against another edition
2.0
Being a big fan of the author I was really disappointed. It's poorly organized and jumps between two stories. The plot was hard to follow and was generally not very interesting.
trickyplanet's review against another edition
1.0
Worst book ever. Crummy characters, badly written, just a lousy read. I put it in the fire.
aschembra76's review against another edition
1.0
Of the Gregory Maguire books I have read, this is my least favorite. Granted, I haven't read them all. I was bored, to me, the story didn't make sense... was it a ghost story? What was the point of including references to Ebeneezer Scrooge, Jack the Ripper and others? I'm just glad I'm done with it... on to the next.