"Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" By Gregory Maguire

[Ann]

*****THIS DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE SPOILERS****** please do not read more unless you are ok with seeing specifics about the book including plot points and/or the ending of the book

I have not read Son of a Witch or any of the other books in the series so please don't discuss those in this thread thanks!

For anyone who has read the book Wicked what did you think? I know a few people who have tried to read it that just couldn't get into it. I know it can be kind of dry but I enjoyed it so much. It's one of my favorites. What did you think about Maguire's creativity in using things from The Wizard of Oz? The tie-ins from that book/movie are some of my favorite parts. The Wizard of Oz is my favorite movie but Dorothy was not ever my favorite. I enjoyed learning more about Elphaba in this book. Her struggles with not fitting in is something I can relate to. What are some of you favorite parts of the book?

[Belinda]

I am a big Gregory Maguire fan. At first I was sceptical of him using somebody else's idea but think that he wrote a completely new story. I love all the background he created for all the characters and loved how complex they have all become. I think he is very clever the way in incorporated all the original characters. I particularly enjoy the dynamic between Elphaba and Glinda. So different and so similar.

[Ann]

Belinda wrote: "I am a big Gregory Maguire fan. At first I was sceptical of him using somebody else's idea but think that he wrote a completely new story. I love all the background he created for all the character..."

I also really loved the Elphaba and Glinda dynamic. They are great together. Have to you seen the Broadway show? I was so lucky to be able to catch it on their tour. They changed quite a few things but it was still wonderful.

What are some of your other Maguire favorites? I haven't read too many of his but I loved What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy. It's more of a kids book but I thought it was cleaver.

[Belinda]

Ann wrote: "Belinda wrote: "I am a big Gregory Maguire fan. At first I was sceptical of him using somebody else's idea but think that he wrote a completely new story. I love all the background he created for a..."

I have seen the show twice. Once in Sydney, Australia and again in Auckland, New Zealand. I thought it was fantastic, very witty. I have also read Son of a Witch. There are a few of his other books sitting on my shelves waiting for me too.

[Rianne]

I have read everything last year finally. I have read Wicked twice now and the second time I liked it better than the first. Although I must say that it is no longer my favourite in the series. That is Son of a Witch.
Sometimes the parts were a bit boring, but I especially like it from the moment on that the p.o.v. is from Fiyero~

[Alycia]

I just finished this book and my head is swimming with it! There is so much to it, I feel like I want to start from the beginning again. I love the delicious irony (view spoiler)[ that Dorothy was actually coming to ask for the Witch's forgiveness, mirroring the Witch's quest for forgiveness from Sarima (hide spoiler)]
And all the little nods to aspects of the movie (or the original book?). Like how the flying monkeys came to be, or the cowardly Lion?
I have a question for those who have seen the play - there is so, so much to this book. How did they condense it to the length of a play? Is it only a certain section or time period of the book?
Also, where do you think the Wizard, Yackle and the dwarf came from?
I loved Elphaba - my heart just breaks for her.
What a wonderful book!!

[Ann]

Alycia wrote: "I just finished this book and my head is swimming with it! There is so much to it, I feel like I want to start from the beginning again. I love the delicious irony [spoilers removed]
And all the l..."

Those are the things I love most too, the little nods to the original. I had trouble with wrapping my head around the Yackle. I wasn't ever sure what was 'real' with her.

As for the play it is a lot different than the book. They focus much more on the relationships between Elphaba and Glinda and Fiyero. To me the book is pretty serious throughout with the political stuff and how Elphaba keeps getting knocked down by life but the musical is more whimsical. That being said, seeing the musical was one of the best experiences of my life! I loved it so much.