Books - Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West - Page 5

spazzie · 09-20-2005, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alli balli

I really didn't get this book. I seriously think I missed some really big, underlying theme related to the whole political/religious thing it had going on. So, I really didn't like it very much. The parts where they're at college were okay but otherwise I found it kind of boring.

I read the book a few a months ago and I felt the same way. I didn't hate it, but I felt like somewhere during the story I missed something big so I didn't get it. It was also a lot more political than I expected.

The sequel sounds interesting, and I just borrowed Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister from the library. I hope it' sgood.

**BehrItAll** · 09-20-2005, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spazzie

I read the book a few a months ago and I felt the same way. I didn't hate it, but I felt like somewhere during the story I missed something big so I didn't get it. It was also a lot more political than I expected.

I felt confused with all the politcal/religious talk at first but when I got to the end I understood it all.

fallfromgrace · 09-23-2005, 07:23 AM

The author is an excellent writer and I was really surprised at how depthful this book is. I really enjoyed the politics of it, perhaps because I'm a Political Science major, as well as the more traditional aspects of the book. A great read.

AisicsRule · 08-12-2006, 12:03 PM

I absolutely adore Wicked! I have the soundtrack and saw the Broadway play. I liked the book best though, because the reader gets to know the characters so much better than in the play. Plus in the musical, the ending gets changed so that it's happier. Which I thought was dumb, because the ending is basically the same in every rendition of The Wizard of Oz story except Wicked the musical.

The political stuff, I think was mostly in there to help explain and fuel Elphaba's exile from the rest of Oz. They didn't just hate her because she was green. They hated her because she spoke out against the Wizard and had radical ways of thinking. I don't think there was too much meaning behind the politics talk, not like George Orwell's novel Animal Farm (hated that book! Stupid school requirement.) The political aspect probably reflects the author's views if you translate it to reality, but you don't have understand that to understand the book. I don't even remember any religious stuff, but that may be because it's been several months since I read the book, and the musical definitely doesn't get into that. It doesn't even cover all the political stuff.

mattia · 08-14-2006, 06:03 PM

I am still trying to get thru this book....I am about 75 pages in and finding it a struggle to read....

I saw the Musical and LOVED it!!! I thought I would really like the book too, but it is not meeting my expectations at all....I am determined to finish it, but I will not read another book by this author...

MickeyJr3000 · 11-06-2006, 04:45 PM

I LOVED Wicked.
I read it within a few days (and yes, I did skim the political aspect of it for quite a while). I found the holes in the plot left a LOT to be desired which is why I would love to read more into the story and read its sequel, "Son of a Witch" although I am quite weary of sequels in general.

Not really 'plot holes' but there were so many parts of the story that left so much out...and I feel like I have to fill in the gap and figure out what happened in between, and really get around the political aspect of things.

(Analysis rant following. In short: The political story, IMO was that The Wiz was using his power over others immorally and the blind citizens bought his lies and promises. The religious story, particularly in Munchkinland, basically was saying how the people were turning to pagan methods of worship and were themselves becoming paganistic, immoral, bad people, and they were also blind followers ready to believe in and blame 'witches' for their problems)

I think the politics of it was relatively well done though it was still long. I accepted it because it WAS part of the 'whole picture,' which is something Maguire wanted us to see...not just Elphaba was really misunderstood and all, but there were so many factors he brought in to contribute to the creation of "The Wicked Witch." It also gave the character something to fight against, making her a (tragic) heroine. The religious parts were also an aspect to the story. I think the politics and the religious factors were ways we could see how the society around Elphaba made her the Wicked Witch. The blindness of the people and their acceptance and belief in 'prophetic' dragons. It was all about how the peoples were morally lacking, and sought pagan ways to feed their 'souls.' Since the land of Oz was doing really bad (apparently they needed someone to believe in, hence The Wizard), they needed something to believe in, something more 'definite' than bible teachings (someone to blame, a quick fix of the problems in the world)

I think the relative context to compare the religious aspect of this story is the Witch hunts during the medieval times, and how people came to belief that these 'others' living in their community were the reason they were suffering. They probably used anything. If someone once had a 'prophetic' dream that someone else was engaging in witchcraft, well, the accused would be burned at the stake.

In terms of the politic stance, I think it has to do with immoral use of power, and it reminds me of the leaders in history who blamed certain minority groups for their problems and started segretating those peoples and taking away their rights, killing them (WWII, Jews). And that's what happened to the Animals. It also reminds me of George Orwell's stories.

The last 3rd of the book I felt went slowly (after leaving Emerald City and going to the West with Liir, living in the castle, etc). It was taxing and I was confused during that part.

I saw the musical just two days ago (Shoshaba Bean played Elphaba). I LOVED it as well and am really in love with the story they used (it IS different from the book). It was a more 'simplified' plot, which was needed so it could be stuffed into 2 hours of play time while still getting the main points across. It also was more family friendly, which is most likely why they

Spoiler:

'resurrected' Elphaba in the end

.
The music is fantastic and I recommend anyone who has NOT seen it to go and see the musical. Yes, it's different, and simplistic (be prepared, a lot is either left out or new things are added in that shouldn't be there), but it's really a fanastic experience. It is playing IN TORONTO from now until the END of December, at the CANON THEATER. So if you live in TORONTO or anywhere nearby, go check it out.

**taovande** · 11-20-2006, 09:19 PM

I really liked the book--but I also found it to be a struggle to get through---same with Son of a Witch, I'm doubting my ability to get through it at all at this point.

Now as for the musical--lordy I loved it. I saw it with Ana Gasteyer who was amazing and really brought Elphie to life for me.

But I agree--the plot holes in the book are huge and glaring and really turned me off at some points. But I do appreciate what the author managed to do to such a classic well known story.

hellokeykey8 · 11-25-2006, 06:56 PM

I have this book as well..but have not read it yet...I have seen the Broadway Production of it with Idina Menzel as Elphie and it was amazing......so im sure the book is great too....

**baileycat** · 11-26-2006, 09:54 AM

I read the first book over the summer and LOVED it. Saw the musical last weekend in T.O. and fell in love with it. Bought the soundtrack and a Defy Gravity t-shirt. (How amazing is that song btw?) and now I'm on to reading Son of a Witch. But i've only JUST started so I can't really make and solid judgements on it yet.

Politcal? Hell yes. Bizzare? Very. But completly unique and fresh and that's what pulled me through to the end.

After this I'm hoping to read the Ugly Stepsister one. Looking forward to it.

**TheAngel** · 11-27-2006, 02:34 PM

I have a friend that loves the broadway musical and got me attached to it. I want to read the book but I'm not sure I like the style of writing. I've kind of flipped through it. I might try to read it over the summer.

**baileycat** · 01-04-2007, 09:06 PM

Thought I'd come back here to update. I finished Son of A Witch which I enjoyed but not as much as Wicked. Liir was interesting. Slightly exhausting at times with all his indisiveness though. So I have to ask, was he bisexual or was he gay? It seemed like he loved both Candle and his best friend at the same time.

And now I'm reading Mirror Mirror. The one thing I like about this one is the extremely short chapters makes for very easy reading. Took me a while to get use to the fact that the dwarfs were made of stone. They are right? Or am I misinterpreting it?

I'm still awaiting Confessions from the library.

**BehrItAll** · 01-04-2007, 09:48 PM

I've been meaning to read Son of a Witch but wanted to read Mirror and Confessions first.

I like the sound of short chapters in Mirror Mirror.

What is the plot of Son a Witch though?

If I remember the end of Wicked correctly does he ever discover Elphie was his mother or find one of his half sisters?

**baileycat** · 01-05-2007, 02:54 PM

Well basically, the question he has through out the ENTIRE book is whether or not Elphie is truely his mother. He's never really satisified with answers he gets from various sources though and yes he tries to find his could be half sister Nor.

But in the end, the mystery for him appears to have been solved.

Mcquire's writing another sequal to this story it seems. But this one will center around the cowardly lion apparently. We'll see how that turns out.

I hear confessions is excellent so I'm looking forward to it.

**taovande** · 01-06-2007, 07:42 PM

Still haven't gotten through Son of Witch---moved on to another book. I guess I should return to it though to find out the truth of Liir's parentage. It better be answered in the book!

**baileycat** · 01-07-2007, 11:34 AM

It is, don't worry.