This book is about the life of the Wicked Witch of the West. It explains everything about Oz that you didn't know before, and more. It tells how the Witch of the West (Elphaba) knows Glinda. (previously Galinda, until she changed when their teacher died.) They were roommates in college. It also explains the identity of the Wicked Witch of the East (Nessarose.) However, I only recommend this book for people over 13, as it contains some things that younger kids should not see.

Is anyone else here a fan of Wicked? (The book, not the musical)

I really didn't like the book very much, or it's sequel, Son of a Witch.

I only read the first 3/4 of the book, but it was amazing. I have to admit admit that the way it was written was awfully hard to understand at times. I agree with you on the 13 and older thing, (even though I read when I was 12).

I did not like this book, and I read it before I saw the musical. (I ADORE the musical.)

I think it had great potential, especially with the amazingness that is the musical, but the musical is very loosely based on the book. I liked the other side of the story aspect of it, particularly getting to see more of Nessarose and Boq. But you didn't see enough of Galinda, and Elphaba was way too political, too sexual, too radical. I realize that she's all of those things, but I think it was overdone to the point of it being unattractive. At the end, you don't feel for her the way you should. I don't think anyway.

It was bizarre to read as well with the details he tries to use and the storyline with Fiyero. The fact that he's an adulterer and the beastiality scene alone was a put off, but there were other odd things. I thought it was a weird book in general, same with its sequel. I didn't enjoy it. I liked the musical better because it focused more on the relationships of Elphaba and Galinda...and it wasn't so...raw. Not my taste.

Although, I may reread it and give it another chance. I loved the first part of it when she was a child. It's different than the musical concerning her relationship with her father. It wasn't always contempt, and it was interesting to have more about her adulteress of a mother. But once she graduated, I didn't like it. I'll read it again, possibly.

Although, I do recommend Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister and Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire. The other side of the story to Cinderella and Snow White. Very good books.

Shannon

*shrugs* Well, I can see I'm sort of outnumbered here. I liked it. (But I agree with r+h4ever1, the musical is awesome! It's way better.) Oh well, to each his own...There were parts of it I didn't like but most of it was okay. (I also agree with Hermione Rocks! on the fact that the sequel, Son of a Witch, wasn't that good at all. I fell asleep reading that one.)

I saw Wicked the musical in London on 13.07.07...
it was amazing. Good story to it too. (:

I read Wicked for a book report a few months ago, and I didn't think it was that bad. There were some parts that were hard to understand, because of the way Maguire described them, but overall I enjoyed the book. I haven't been able to see the musical yet

Well I can say that i am a fan of the book. I didnt like it at all, it was way to hard to understand. And it was just plain weird. I think the Wicked Witch would have fit in better in Sex and the City and not in OZ she reminded me of Miranda more than anything else.

I havent read any of his other books because of that one book.

But the musical!! ROCKS!! I love it!!

I LOVED that book!!!!!!!!

I so love that book! I even like it better than the musical. And that really means something!
But I still haven't read the second book...I started but somehow I didn't get really far.

I am like a HUGE fan of the book(and musical) anyways. This book is amazing,the second book wasn't that great though. I loved everything about it,and i felt bad for Elphie in the end. One of the best books I've ever read!

I just reread it. What I'm wondering now is, what happened to Sarima and her sisters? It doesn't say. It says that the Wizard assumes they're dead but that's no real proof. I'm going to assume they're dead too.

I just bought it and started it yesterday... because I LOVE the musical soooo much

lol! I can't imagine anyone not liking the musical if they've heard the soundtrack or seen the musical itself!

I have the musical cd and 3 gregory M's books all ready really enjoying the 2nd book

Yeah, he's a good author but some of his things can get a little tedious.

I'm reading it right now. I'm half way trough it, it's a bit confusing, but well, it might as well be my bad english for that reason.

^ Nah, it's not you. It's confusing anyway. It's still a good book though.

I saw WICKED the musical when i was on holiday in London! itwas Really good!

I havent read the book but my brother did and he said it was heaps different to the musical...eg..Abatha's dad actually liked Abatha unlike in the play

That's right. There are a couple of HUGE HUGE differences between the book and the play. They had to adapt it a lot for the stage, and make a lot of main characters, like the father, secondary characters.

...and btw, it's Elphaba not Abatha

I absolutely loved the musical! I can't say the same for the book, though. There is a huge difference between the story of the musical and the book. Some parts were a bit hard to understand and also a bit confusing so I didn't really enjoy reading it.

I can totally understand that! That's exactly how I felt when I read it.

Yes...if I had to pick between the two, I'd probably pick the musical.

The first time I read it, I didn't like it much, but that was before eighth grade, so I reread it and it was better. Kinda hard to follow sometimes, but still wonderfully eloquent.

Hmmm. Maybe it's a good idea not to read it until you're in eighth grade. For multiple reasons.