_Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked Years)_ by Gregory Maguire
Okay, so everyone who knows me well knows that I absolutely HATE movie “The Wizard of Oz”. Many years ago, I did read the book and I still didn’t like it. When I was in New York, the Broadway musical “Wicked” came and stayed and was raved about. I was not convinced by people saying that it is nothing like “The Wizard of Oz” and that I would probably like it.
However, many more people whom I came across have mentioned how this book is really good and interesting. They promised it was nothing like the original story and that I should give it a try. So, finally, I downloaded it and gave it a go.
Well, wow…. The fuss is definitely true. It’s a GREAT story. It is NOTHING like “The Wizard of Oz” and is so much more interesting and engaging. Sure, I know the original story was good in its time. I have no issue with the quality, I only never liked the story itself and the movie scarred me for life with the creepy flying monkeys and a person who gets killed by water! I wouldn’t have anything to do with water unless forced for weeks!!!
Still, this story was really interesting and I have to say nothing like anything I have ever read. I cannot really compare it to anything. The story follows the life of Elphaba, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. However, we find that she really is not all that wicked and that she never really set out in her life to become so. Some parts of the story with the Wicked Witch of the East and Glinda the Good Witch do not perfectly match up, but in general it is a genius attempt at telling the pre-story of the infamous witch.
So, if you cannot tell by now, I absolutely recommend this book and am going to see about seeing the musical! However, I started to re-read _The Wizard of Oz_ that is included at the end of the Kindle version and nope, I still cannot stand it…. ๐
-T ๐
