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Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (The Wicked Years, #1)

Gregory Maguire

Start date: March 2, 2015

Finish date: March 31, 2015

Discussion: Books of the Month

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What Members Thought

Jun 16, 2008 Catsalive rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2006

I really enjoyed this book too, although I hadn't really expected to. Elphaba is an extremely strong character and is written with a skill that makes it difficult not to empathise with her. It got to a point where I didn't really want to finish the book as I knew the outcome was inevitable thanks to L. Frank Baum & his Dorothy.

I enjoyed it so much that I lashed out and bought Son of a Witch. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Feb 25, 2013 Kelly rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: randomizer-2015-challenge, library

Having read Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, and while I only gave it a 3 star rating, I definitely liked it better than Wicked. Because while it was dark and intriguing it examined topics that at least lent themselves to an interesting story - different types of beauty, etc. Wicked read more as a political agenda piece than a story. It got a little better at the end, but for the most part I found it to be a slog, and couldn't wait to be done. Disappointing. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 04, 2025 Kami rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sci-fi, fantasy, fairytale-retellings, witches, magic, classic-literature, dark, retelling-reimagining, disability, literary-fiction

I originally read this 25 or 30 years ago and forgot a lot of it. I, like many, loved the musical adaptation movie Wicked. I always cry during Defying Gravity. It, to me, is about being who you are and not letting anyone hold you back, "nobody in all of Oz, no wizard that there is or was, is ever gonna bring me down." I love Elphaba. So then I decided to go back and read the book and it is beautiful. I loved it. I think it is truly a literary masterpiece and I'm so glad that I read it again. ...more

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Apr 20, 2010 Jenn rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2010-finished, fiction

I have to say that if I read this book before I went to see Wicked I would of thought twice on seeing the musical. The beginning of the book didn't start that bad but as I progressed through the book it just became twisted, dark and vulgar (at times).

I found that the story line at times was hard to follow and the gaps in time left a lot unanswered.

I pretty much had to force my way to the end. ...more

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Jun 02, 2008 Neila rated it it was amazing

This is one of my favorite books. I loved the political nature of the book and discovering just what caused the Wicked Witch to evolve from a person of low self esteem and discrimination and how others saw her deep hurt as wicked. Only a few actually saw the deep love within her.

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