Book Review: Wicked by Gregory Maguire (1995)

               

I've read quite a few books last February and I have to say that I am quite of myself for getting to read a few even with the almost impossible schedule. But then again, a book nerd will always find time! 

              (Hopefully, there won't be harsh reactions to any of my reviews... THANK YOU!!!)


Read the short synopsis and also purchase it on Good Reads : Wicked: The Life and Times of The Wicked Witch of the West

The Wicked Witch of the West was an unbelievable bitch in L. Baum's masterpiece, The Wizard of Oz. We all know Dorothy with her dog Toto and her wonderful, whimsical companions journey on in order to kill The Wicked Witch. But then, do you ever wonder why she's like that? Why she did become so wicked? What could've trigged such hate that it would eventually lead to her demise?


I incredibly enjoyed this novel. I never would've thought that I would love the idea about The Wicked Witch of the West and her back story. I mean, that's if you are a fan of the original, the plot twist would surely reel you in. Elphaba, the real name of the wonderful protagonist of this novel, is a woman of color.. You know, green. But she didn't let that stop her into being a straight-forward character, but that's what got people to misjudge and misunderstand her actions. She holds firm to her beliefs and does not like the idea of people ridiculing each other. Like many of us, though her strange appearance, she is human. She wants to have friends, to be in good terms with her family and to fall in love. 

The humor in the situations made me think that the novel was down-right stupid but then that made it more crazy and crazy is the synonym of the Wicked Witch, well by the end that is. You never thought she had a sister or that Glinda was not really Glinda's name or everything involves some form of sex. The book does not disappoint in the aspects of humor.

But there are parts where I just got bored! Like Boq's narrative. I mean, yeah, he's down with Glinda and all that, but it was such a pain to read. It kinda sucks that I didn't get to read more of Glinda and also Elphaba in more specifics. It's making me crave. Well, there are 3 other books, I wish that I'll be able to read those so I can make some right conclusions.

Gregory Maguire is quite the magician with his words. He's able to blend in certain aspects of the original story with his own. And people think it's sooooo easy.. Nah. The last thing you wanna do is write a novel of a plot twist of an original and make it crappy. Nah. And it got turned into a musical and sold so much copies, it's so mindblowing. There are more Gregory Maguire novels I have to read, so I'll save up next school year!


Wicked: The Life and Time of The Wicked Witch of the West is a fantastic read, that's if your up for some weirdness in the story of the Wicked Witch or you just like a really good plot twist then go ahead and grab your copy.

For those in the Philippines, grab your copies of Wicked in mass paperback now at all National Book Store outlets for Php 299 and trade paperback on Fully Booked for Php 649.

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So that is it for this review. More book reviews to come Misfits! Keep your eyes peeled! 

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