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

by Gregory Maguire

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

 

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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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.

Review:

"Children — children of all ages, as Maguire reminds us in this splendid novel — need witches. Gregory Maguire has taken this figure of childhood fantasy and given her a sensual and powerful nature that will stir adult hearts with fear and longing all over again. It's a brilliant trick — and a remarkable treat." The Times-Picayune

Review:

"It is to [Maguire's] everlasting credit that he has succeeded so admirably that his book stands as an independent and inspired whole; it is also very close to being an instant classic....Maguire has hit a home run his first time at bat. That Wicked is a first novel is remarkable because it is so fully realized, so rich and involving. It is the most seamless interweaving of fantasy and reality since John Crowley's peerless Little, Big, written in poetic language as graceful as a Ray Boldger tap-dance." School Library Journal

Review:

"An outstanding work of imagination." USA Today

Review:

"Save a place on the shelf between Alice and The Hobbit — that spot is well deserved." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"Gregory Maguire has taken this figure of childhood fantasy and given her a sensual and powerful nature that will stir adult hearts with fear and longing all over again." New Orleans Times-Picayune

Review:

"Gregory Maguire's shrewdly imagined first novel...is part fantasy thriller, part psychological study, part political cautionary tale. It's all fascinating. And it's impossible to deny the magic of Gregory Maguire." New York Newsday

Review:

"It's a staggering feat of wordcraft, made no less so by the fact that its boundaries were set decades ago by somebody else. Maguire's larger triumph here is twofold: First, in Elphaba, he has created (re-created? renovated?) one of the great heroines in fantasy literature: a fiery, passionate, unforgettable and ultimately tragic figure. Second, Wicked is the best fantasy novel of ideas I've read since Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast or Frank Herbert's Dune. Would that all books with this much innate consumer appeal were also this good. And vice versa." Los Angeles Times

Review:

"Listen up, Munchkins. Stop your singing, stop the dancing. The Wicked Witch is no longer dead. But not to worry. Gregory Maguire's shrewdly imagined and beautifully written first novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, not only revives her but re-envisions and redeems her for our times." Newsday

Review:

"Maguire combines puckish humor and bracing pessimism in this fantastical meditation on good and evil, God and free will, which should...captivate devotees of fantasy." Publishers Weekly

Synopsis:

An astonishingly rich re-creation of the land of Oz, this book retells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, who wasn't so wicked after all. Taking readers past the yellow brick road and into a phantasmagoric world rich with imagination and allegory, Wicked just might change the reputation of one of the most sinister characters in literature.

About the Author

Gregory Maguire received his Ph.D. in English and American Literature from Tufts University. His work as a consultant in creative writing for children takes him to speaking engagements across the United States and abroad. He is a founder and codirector of Children's Literature New England, Incorporated, a non-profit educational charity established in 1987. The author of numerous books for children, Mr. Maguire is also a contributor to Am I Blue?: Coming Out From the Silence, a collection of short stories for gay and lesbian teenagers.

What Our Readers Are Saying

Add a comment for a chance to win!
Average customer rating based on 19 comments:

Kari Strong, May 5, 2012 (view all comments by Kari Strong)
I like the movie Wizard of Oz. I loved the play Wicked. But the book is something entirely different. It's so much more. The wicked side of Wicked is very enticing. Wicked is a completely different realm than the lollipop kids or Miss Dorothy. It's a tale of how the Wicked Witch became so wicked. I engulfed this book and if you think the Wizard of Oz could have used a lot more spice then this is the tale you have been waiting for.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
Melinda Spencer, September 3, 2011 (view all comments by Melinda Spencer)
A fantastic re-imagination of a classic story from a different point of view. This story shows the reader that there is more beyond the surface of any story and that everything in life is much more complicated than it appears to be. Every decision, big or small, can change the course of history.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
0711Bookworm, August 31, 2011 (view all comments by 0711Bookworm)
This is a striking book that allows us to relook at the age old question, "what is beauty and what is truly good?" We all have inner and outter beauty, although as in Elphba's case not everyone could see the outer beauty. We are also all good as well as bad. Sometimes our actions may seem like they are the right ones to some people but a bad choice to others. How are we to judge people honestly unless we can look inside ourselves and be honest about who we are; both positive and negative.
This books allows each and everyone of us to look around and rethink how we feel about our world, ourself, and our friends.
Are we judging others by thier cover too quickly?

The language is powerful and touching. McGuire is an elegant writer that strikes his topics in a fun and engaging way. You feel for the characters and form a bond with them. While reading Wicked you not only get to hear the Wicked Witch of the West's side of the story but you also see the other characters true colors. This is a wonderful book and a great read. The play is amazing, but the books will forever hold a place in my heart.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
View all 19 comments

Product Details

ISBN:
9780060987107
Author:
Maguire, Gregory
Publisher:
ReganBooks
Illustrator:
Smith, Douglas
Location:
New York :
Subject:
General
Subject:
Fiction
Subject:
Fantastic fiction
Subject:
Fantasy
Subject:
Fantasy - General
Subject:
Oz (Imaginary place)
Subject:
Fantasy fiction
Subject:
Oz (Imaginary place) -- Fiction.
Subject:
Oz
Subject:
Witches
Subject:
General Fiction
Subject:
Science Fiction and Fantasy-Fantasy
Copyright:
Edition Number:
1
Edition Description:
Trade PB
Series:
Wicked Years
Series Volume:
01
Publication Date:
December 2000
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
432
Dimensions:
9 x 6 x 0.1624 in 5.44 oz

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Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$4.50 In Stock
Product details 432 pages ReganBooks - English 9780060987107 Reviews:
"Review" by , "Children — children of all ages, as Maguire reminds us in this splendid novel — need witches. Gregory Maguire has taken this figure of childhood fantasy and given her a sensual and powerful nature that will stir adult hearts with fear and longing all over again. It's a brilliant trick — and a remarkable treat."
"Review" by , "It is to [Maguire's] everlasting credit that he has succeeded so admirably that his book stands as an independent and inspired whole; it is also very close to being an instant classic....Maguire has hit a home run his first time at bat. That Wicked is a first novel is remarkable because it is so fully realized, so rich and involving. It is the most seamless interweaving of fantasy and reality since John Crowley's peerless Little, Big, written in poetic language as graceful as a Ray Boldger tap-dance."
"Review" by , "An outstanding work of imagination."
"Review" by , "Save a place on the shelf between Alice and The Hobbit — that spot is well deserved."
"Review" by , "Gregory Maguire has taken this figure of childhood fantasy and given her a sensual and powerful nature that will stir adult hearts with fear and longing all over again."
"Review" by , "Gregory Maguire's shrewdly imagined first novel...is part fantasy thriller, part psychological study, part political cautionary tale. It's all fascinating. And it's impossible to deny the magic of Gregory Maguire."
"Review" by , "It's a staggering feat of wordcraft, made no less so by the fact that its boundaries were set decades ago by somebody else. Maguire's larger triumph here is twofold: First, in Elphaba, he has created (re-created? renovated?) one of the great heroines in fantasy literature: a fiery, passionate, unforgettable and ultimately tragic figure. Second, Wicked is the best fantasy novel of ideas I've read since Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast or Frank Herbert's Dune. Would that all books with this much innate consumer appeal were also this good. And vice versa."
"Review" by , "Listen up, Munchkins. Stop your singing, stop the dancing. The Wicked Witch is no longer dead. But not to worry. Gregory Maguire's shrewdly imagined and beautifully written first novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, not only revives her but re-envisions and redeems her for our times."
"Review" by , "Maguire combines puckish humor and bracing pessimism in this fantastical meditation on good and evil, God and free will, which should...captivate devotees of fantasy."
"Synopsis" by , An astonishingly rich re-creation of the land of Oz, this book retells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, who wasn't so wicked after all. Taking readers past the yellow brick road and into a phantasmagoric world rich with imagination and allegory, Wicked just might change the reputation of one of the most sinister characters in literature.
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