Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.

[Jethro]

Gregory Maguire writes in such wonderful prose, I can't help but NOT recommend this book.

Wicked is basically the story of what was going on in Oz before Dorothy came along.  It basically makes some insight on how the Wicked Witch of the West became herself.  It also makes some examinations on where she came from, and what the true nature of evil really is in the land of Oz.

College students will really enjoy and will be able to associate with certain parts of this book.  Personally, I'm already about 100 pages in, and I've been able to write some good topic ideas for my literature class.

Also, the Broadway musical?  It definitely kicks a great proportion of ass.  Stephen Schwartz knows how to make a rocktastic soundtrack.  I'm going to see the show itself in December.

Anyone else read Wicked or has seen / going to see the musical?

[Captain Yaoi]

I've seen the play twice, own the sound track, and now all the music by heart. my god! the brilliance can make you shudder.

[bluecloud]

I hate you (not really) but I just read the book and I LOVE It! and I really want to see musical.

[Kyuuketsuhime Miyu]

It sounds awesome! I will definitely add that to my wish list!


((Completely unrelated sidenote: Your avatar is a cow! A Harvest Moon cow! That rocks!))

[bluecloud]

because of that book i must go to New York to see the play and I will never see The Wizard of Oz the same again.

[Onion O' DOOM!]

hmm, why do i have a feeling this is going to greatly change my perception on this innocent film? Through the looking Glass anyone?

[Ameria-chan]

Er..well...it might, but not in the way that Through the Looking Glass changes your perspective on Alice in Wonderland. I've heard that it's more the book/musical that will change your perspective on the Wicked Witch of the West for the better rather than the scary. You might start to feel sorry for her. ^_~ Then again I haven't read or seen it so the only info I have to go off of is the character bios from back when the FLAVA board was casting for a radioplay of the musical.

[Onion O' DOOM!]

It was a still a great film though XD. I'm interested to learn about the witch's past, might be interesting....but while we're discussing witches...where is the witch of the South?! is she good, bad, or neutral? maybe it's a warlock instead....WE DON'T KNOW!!!!

*head swells and explodes*

[Venus, Queen of Faeries]

is she good, bad, or neutral?

Maybe she's not a witch at all. XD

[Bevelle]

If you liked Wicked, you'll probably like Gregory Maguire's Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister.  He also has two other books--Lost (about a relative of Ebeneezer Scrooge), and Mirror, Mirror: A Novel.

[Kyuuketsuhime Miyu]

I like to think the Witch of the South was good, like Glinda, to keep the power balance even.

Semi-related sidenote: I was the Wicked Witch of the East in my high school's production of Wizard of Oz.

[Captain Yaoi]

because of that book i must go to New York to see the play and I will never see The Wizard of Oz the same again.

i know. it's like oppression of the right for capitalistic beliefs in greater power to the wealthy and the educated. and less power to the easily trampled underfoot. God bless America!

[Graceria]

I've actually never heard of this book! (or play or sountrack) I am ashamed of myself! I loved The Wizard Of OZ when I was a kid. How could I not know about this?! *her head explodes too* Wow...... we're making a REALLY big mess for poor Mike-san to clean up.....

[Captain Yaoi]

how so? wat mess? where? what's it made of? is it like a leaf mess that you can jump in and have fun, or is it like dog poo, and we dont wanna get anywhere near it?

[Graceria]

People's heads keep exploding! What kind of mess do you think it is! LOL