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Books » Fiction & Literature » Fantasy » General
Wicked
http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Wicked-Gregory-Maguire/9780061350962
The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
By
Gregory Maguire
RRP $16.99 $8.39 Save $8.60 (51%)8.39
Free shipping Australia wide Ships within 24 hours from USA supplier | Rating: | | | Format: | Paperback, 560 pages | | Other Information: | illustrations | | Release Date: | 27 October 2007 |
When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil? Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to be the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil. ReviewsYA‘Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, has gotten a bum rap. Her mother is embarrassed and repulsed by her bright-green baby with shark's teeth and an aversion to water. At college, the coed experiences disapproval and rejection by her roommate, Glinda, a silly girl interested only in clothes, money, and popularity. Elphaba is a serious and inquisitive student. When she learns that the Wizard of Oz is politically corrupt and causing economic ruin, Elphaba finds a sense of purpose to her life‘to stop him and to restore harmony and prosperity to the land. A Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and an unknown species called a "Dorothy" appear in very small roles... The story presents Elphaba in a sympathetic and empathetic manner-readers will want her to triumph! The conclusion, however, is the same as L. Frank Baum's. The book has both idealism and cynicism in its discussion of social, religious, educational, and political issues present in Oz, and, more pointedly, present in our day and time. The idealism is whimsical and engaging; the cynicism is biting. Sometimes the earthy language seems appropriate and adds to the sense of place; sometimes the four-letter words and sexual explicitness distract from the charm of the tale. The multiple threads to the plot proceed unevenly, so that the pace of the story jumps rather than moves steadily forward. Wicked is not an easy rereading of The Wizard of Oz. It is for good readers who like satire, and love exceedingly imaginative and clever fantasy.‘Judy Sokoll, Fairfax County Public Library, VA Born with green skin and huge teeth, like a dragon, the free-spirited Elphaba grows up to be an anti-totalitarian agitator, an animal-rights activist, a nun, then a nurse who tends the dying‘and, ultimately, the headstrong Wicked Witch of the West in the land of Oz. Maguire's strange and imaginative postmodernist fable uses L. Frank Baum's Wonderful Wizard of Oz as a springboard to create a tense realm inhabited by humans, talking animals (a rhino librarian, a goat physician), Munchkinlanders, dwarves and various tribes. The Wizard of Oz, emperor of this dystopian dictatorship, promotes Industrial Modern architecture and restricts animals' right to freedom of travel; his holy book is an ancient manuscript of magic that was clairvoyantly located by Madam Blavatsky 40 years earlier. Much of the narrative concerns Elphaba's troubled youth (she is raised by a giddy alcoholic mother and a hermitlike minister father who transmits to her his habits of loathing and self-hatred) and with her student years. Dorothy appears only near novel's end, as her house crash-lands on Elphaba's sister, the Wicked Witch of the East, in an accident that sets Elphaba on the trail of the girl from Kansas‘as well as the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman and the Lion‘and her fabulous new shoes. Maguire combines puckish humor and bracing pessimism in this fantastical meditation on good and evil, God and free will, which should, despite being far removed in spirit from the Baum books, captivate devotees of fantasy. 50,000 first printing; $75,000 ad/promo; first serial to Word; author tour. (Oct.) |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins | | ISBN: | 0061350966 |
| EAN: | 9780061350962 | | Dimensions: | 16.0 x 10.0 x 3.0 centimeters (0.28 kg) |
| Age Range: |
15+ years |
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Reviews
5.0
out of 5 based on
7
reviews.
 – Customer review on 29/05/2011
I first read this book after seeing the musical, however, being not a big fantasy fan I really enjoyed this novel. It is very different from the big, blockbust Broadway musical however it presents the same amount of heart, entertainment and makes you think about perspective. I reccommend this book to anyone a fan of this genre, and especially people who have seen the musical. Although this novel can be dark at times, it is a good read and very hard to put down!
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5.0
out of 5 based on
7
reviews.
– Customer review on 25/05/2011
I love this book! It gives the Wicked Witch of the West a different persona, and makes you view the world of OZ in a different light. Is she as wicked as perceived in the film we grew up loving? You be the judge!
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5.0
out of 5 based on
7
reviews.
– Customer review on 02/07/2010
Wicked is an amazing tale that forces the reader, time and time again, to question their understanding of good and evil.
Maguire draws a very grim and realistic world, filled with horrible people living comfortably, and kind people (and Animals) being kicked in the proverbial stomach.
By the end of the tale, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West), has gone from unloved baby, to politically aware student, to spy, to lover, to mourner, to nun, to nurse, to wayward traveler, to mother figure, to apologetic house guest in an isolated western castle, to political target, to witch, and we have been on her side through the whole wild journey.
The reader most definitely will root for the Witch to beat Dorothy, once we learn Elphaba, despite being born green-skinned with sharp teeth and a violent temper, is actually more human than the rest of the population of Oz.
Five stars, without a doubt.
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4.0
out of 5 based on
7
reviews.
 – Customer review on 26/08/2009
An elaborate and gripping divergance from the original tale, from a previously unexplored point of view. It introduces a labryth of new characters to "pad out" the background of the original Wizard of Oz, making an intriguing tale - completely unexpected, far from the sweet and innocent tale of OZ, but a page turner. It will leave you wanting to find out what happens in the next novel....
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4.0
out of 5 based on
7
reviews.
– Customer review on 26/08/2009
An elaborate and gripping divergance from the original tale, from a previously unexplored point of view. Not what I was expecting at all, but a page turner...
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4.0
out of 5 based on
7
reviews.
– Customer review on 28/06/2008
If you think this pre-lude to the much loved Wizard of Oz will be as light and warm hearted, you will be surprised! Wicked is a very dark but intriguing insight into the early life of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. If you can get through the first few pages, then you will thoroughly enjoy the story. Recommended, but keep an open mind.
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1.0
out of 5 based on
7
reviews.
 – Customer review on 08/02/2010
The only reason I read this book was because of the musical. This is a very dark book with an interesting take on a beloved story. But after a month of attempting to read it and not getting much further than half way, I could not take it anymore and did not finish it...it was just too dark and dragged on too much!
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