I read it when it first came out and loved it. Yes its dark, and there is much that the musical doesn't even touch on (haven't seen it yet, just remembering comments from others who've read and seen it. But they still loved the show). When I started the book, I assumed it would just be a riff on the Oz story. As I got into it I realized how many layers upon layers it had. Stay away from the sequel btw (son of a witch). Not the same caliber at all.

Maguire has written two other books, both takes on fairytales: Confessions of an ugly stepsister (Cinderella), Mirror (Snow White, with Lucrezia Borgia as the step mother). Well worth reading, tho nowhere near as interesting as Wicked.

Yvonne, I saw "Wicked!" in London last June. It wasn't my first choice to see, but I went along with others. I was wowed by the costumes and the elaborate sets, but I can't say that I remember anything outstanding about the music. The story isn't my cuppa tea either, but I recognize that it is very imaginative and probably a clever take on the Oz stories.

For the longest time, when I heard people talking about this show, I thought they were saying "Wicket," and since I was in England I supposed it had something to do with cricket.

I saw "Wicked" two years ago and absolutely loved it, I thought the show was spectacular. I had tried to read the book beforehand, but just couldn't get into it and gave up. Perhaps I'll try again.

I agree with Cindy, Wicked was good and even thought provoking but Son of a Witch was not a good follow up. I have Confessions of an Ugly stepsister on TBR list. My daughter has read all 3 and says she likes Ugly Stepsister best. Maguire says that Wicked is definitely a political commentary on our current culture, mostly about his trying to understand what is evil.

I tried reading one his books-I think it was the Ugly Step-sister one, just couldn't get into it at all, so haven't bothered with any of his other books-too many other authors out there that I do enjoy!

Pat

My bookclub read this several years ago and some of us, me included, loved it. It was fascinating and the exploration of good vs evil and the dividing of society into different classes with different rights should have made for a good discussion but some of our members disliked the book so much that they didn't finish it--rare for my group. I, too, tried the sequel but gave it up after a few chapters.

I also saw the play in London and loved it but haven't read the book. Oh, well, just another one to add to the list.

I've not seen the musical, but I read the book and enjoyed it very much. It is a fascinating political commentary and a very interesting read. I have tried to get into Mirror, Mirror, but haven't been able to get into it yet. I'll retry at some other point.

I read it several years ago and I'm in the "disliked it so much that they didn't finish it" camp. I thought it was interesting at first, and I don't really remember why I ended up hating it.

Haven't seen the musical, but I understand it's quite different from the book.

I remember discussing it in a book group, and it seemed the political commentary was what turned off many. What they forget (or perhaps never knew) was that the original Baum stories were filled with political commentary - the movie Wizard of Oz was a small part of it. Thats one reason why I loved it; reminded me of the books (I'd only read Oz and one other, one of these days I'll try more).

I liked Mirror Mirror because of the setting (Italy) but also liked Ugly Stepsister best among the two. He has also written a YA book that sounded interesting - a take on Dickens - but it didn't get good reviews even among my teen readers.

What I liked is, thinking, hm, what is evil? Can it be misrepresented, I mean if someone landed on my sister and killed her and then stole something very valuable from her wouldn't I be pissed? And maybe what see in our view of the world is very different than what it is, like we sit here in our comfy houses while there is world unrest and we are told one reason but maybe it is another....

Ive never been a fan of Anais Nin's works, but I do love this quote from her:

>We do not see the world as it is, we see it as we are.

So yes, everything is seen through different eyes, from our own experiences that form our point of view.

I have not read Wicked yet, the book is making its way through the family and I am deferring to the younger set first. I just learned that the author (can't recall his name right now) is a graduate of my alma mater.

Cindy - I forgot, I read What the Dickens, which is his YA novel. Reminded me of something Disneyish. I think the better audience would be children younger than teenagers, but it would have to be read to most younger children.

This book is definitely not for the youngsters! The language is pretty hard core......and the story is a far cry from Disney.
The musical posed the question "What makes someone wicked".
The reasons that cause someone to act the way that they do might be very altruistic yet be taken as evil in a certain context.
It is a book which takes you to some slightly squeemish places.........and surprises you with compassion for those you thought were wicked.
Interesting.

>This book is definitely not for the youngsters!

yoyo, are you referring to What the Dickens, or Wicked?

I'd agree totally with you re the latter. I haven't heard anything good about What the Dickens, but I remember when I read the synopsis thinking this was meant for older YAs.

Cindy......references to WICKED.........

In fact, having seen the musical first, I was rather surprised at the language and scenarios of the book.
However, I am reading it and enjoying it because of my affection for the three witches ( as I know them from the musical only).
The baby Elfaba in the book is a rather devilish creature (literally!).
Almost reminds one of Rosemary's Baby!!

I was referring to What the Dickens as Disneyish, not Wicked, which is most definitely an adult book. Just to clarify.

cindy - Thanks for the Nin quote. That's going in my Quotations file.

I read Wicked twice -- the second time for my book club. I enjoyed it, in spite of the darkness. The characters were pretty unforgettable and I found the political commentary very interesting.