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

by Gregory Maguire

“could you perhaps tone down your harangue until we get a chance to see what fresh new form temptation might take?”

It hadn’t actually dawned on Galinda that there was more to learn, and furthermore that she was expected to do it.

I don’t comprehend religion, although conviction is a concept I’m beginning to get. In any case, someone with a real religious conviction is, I propose, a religious convict, and deserves locking up.”

“Hence,” observed Crope, “your aversion to all water. Without your knowing it, it might be a baptismal splash, and then your liberty as a free-range agnostic would be curtailed.”

“If not immoral, then what word can I use to imply wrong?” said Elphaba. “Try mysterious and then relax a little.

I who have always been unbecoming am becoming un.

One never learns how the witch became wicked, or whether that was the right choice for her—is it ever the right choice? Does the devil ever struggle to be good again, or if so is he not a devil? It is at the very least a question of definitions.”

“The more civilized we become, the more horrendous our entertainments,”

“You haven’t stuttered in years. Don’t start again, or I’ll beat you.”

“She’s sent the crows out to blind the guests coming for dinner!” “What?” “She’s BLINDING THE GUESTS COMING FOR DINNER!” “Well, that’s one way to avoid having to dust, I suppose.”

“Always the godfather, never the god,” said Liir.