| Reviews: |
|
Sam (USA: NY) (2006/08/29):
I honestly didn't like this book. It made me feel depressed and tired - I spend the whole book going, "But, but, but - I like these characters? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO THEM? Waaaaah!" It's definately dark, but in a very careless manner - I often got the impression the narrator doesn't care about the characters at all, which makes it hard to sympathize with them.
Stargazer (USA: TX) (2006/10/06):
I'm still torn on whether I liked this book. I did like the creativity of the idea and main storyline but could never really warm to most of the characters - except to those that were doomed... The story is dark without being morbid but unfortunately looses some of its steam when drifting off into many sidelines about religion, politics, and social conflicts.
On the other hand, I have friends who read this book in one day because they were completely absorbed by the story and the characters. I guess this is one that you need to read in order to find out for yourself...
Meg (USA: MD) (2007/04/20):
I first read this book about 10 years ago and it is my favourite book of all time. I read it once a year. It is a fascinating look at a story we all grew up with, but it injects with the dichotomy of good and evil, what defines these two things and why, perception, revolution, love, religion, family, the interaction with people who are "different" and the problems of politics. The world that Maguire creates extends so far beyond what Baum wrote and is beautifully imagined and fully realized. I have very rarely seen a world come to life in my head like I did Maguire's Oz.
Kim (USA) (2007/05/26):
This book was just weird. I really don't like fantasy novels but I thought I'd try reading it since the story was so popular because of the play. I read half of it and stopped reading it. I think it was written for a very specific audience.
Mikko Saari (Finland) (2007/06/10):
I'm not a big fan of Oz (I reckon it's a lot more popular in the USA than in Finland - here people know the movie, not the books), but I did like Wicked. It's a grim adult fantasy, with lots of pondering about religion, family and the source of evil. It's also quite well written, funny and witty.
Joby (Canada) (2008/01/04):
I haven't read this book. Many of my friends will tell me I like it. My mother-in-law read this copy and says that it is slow to start and hard to get into. I just don't want to waste my time on a book that has such bad/mixed reviews when I have so many other books I know I'll enjoy.
Vanessa (USA: CA) (2008/01/22):
I quite liked this book, even if some of the political commentary was lost in me. It combines elements of both the movie and the books, but it gets down to the most unpleasant details so conveniently left out of both sources. How did the Wizard get into power? What role does the Wicked Witch play in Oz's politics? How did Dorothy come into the picture? Maguire answers with his own story, that of Elphaba, the so-called Witch.Maguire's Oz is deeper and more real than some might expect; yes, that means it's convoluted, depressing, and at times scream-worthy. If you've seen the musical ... er, well, it's drastically different. Overall it's a love-it-or-hate-it read, but I thought it well worth the chance.
Kirsten (USA: PA) (2008/05/27):
This was, hands down, THE WORST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ! It was poorly written, poorly structured, and contained an erotic scene completely unrelated to anything in the plot. I don't think I will be picking up any other books written by Maguire after forcing my way through this one.
Julia (Australia) (2008/06/16):
I found this a clever, witty and challenging exploration of the dark side of Oz.
Shna (Canada) (2008/06/18):
I loved this book. I really enjoyed seeing the other side of the story. Excellent.
Marcus (USA: GA) (2008/08/05):
Great idea, turning Oz into a Marxist tract and fairy tale. Not quite up to the idea though. Reads like an explanatory piece intended to enlighten readers of the original series, rather than as a story on it's own. Overall, it's enjoyable, but could be better. It should be noted that the Marxist aspect is lost on almost all American readers. They have no idea what the intentions of the author were, and thus tend to underestimate the book.
greengiRL2 (Philippines) (2008/09/25):
the first time i read it, i couldn't make up my mind whether i liked it or not... i was already a bit familiar with the musical but never saw the entire thing so i had bits and pieces of everything... then thanks to YOUTUBE and LIMEWIRE i managed to download the full musical (I LOVED IT, by the way!) and i read the book again just for comparison and contrast. and surprisingly, i appreciated the book more. it IS dark, i will agree. and those who have read/watched THE WIZARD OF OZ might be a bit thrown off -- but in the end, i think, like the musical, it has a lot of hidden messages and irony behind and beyond the humor. very beautifully written. i love the green-skinned witch either way =)
Kelly K (USA: PA) (2008/11/18):
I liked this book very much. There are some slow parts to the book that you will just have to read through. I like the inquisitive nature of Elphaba, as well as her unique way of viewing the world.
cuddly (USA: NY) (2009/10/07):
elphaba (the wicked witch of the west) is a marvelous, caring character.
however, i also found the book to be a very, very hard read.
the book is very long, yet it wasnt till the last 125 pages that i was at the point that i couldnt put the book down.
the author creates a world of oz. some of it i believe we are not familiar with, but does come from the books by baum.
much of the book is political commentary, and talks about evil vs good.
it did occur to me, that at least in the movie, the witch doesnt actually kill anyone (altho she does threaten to do dorothy in), while dorothy, intentionally or not, does kill both witches.
and since the infamous shoes were the witch's sisters, shouldnt the witch have gotten them.
anyway, i cant see an advertisement of the movie without calling dorothy a witch killer. the book does change your perspective.
Michelle (USA: CA) (2011/08/20):
Excellent condition.I could'nt get into it and stopped after a few chapters.Its about the life and how the wicked witch of the west from The Wizard of Oz came to be the way she is.
Kate (USA: MO) (2011/11/02):
I saw the musical first and loved it (the fab music helps immensely) so I thought I would love the book, but I didn't. I wanted to quit reading it I don't know how many times, but made myself trudge through it. This book was not for me. Very dark, pessimistic, and depressing. We have enough of that in real life, don't need it in my reading!!! Was glad to pass it on!
Shelly Dechert (USA: NJ) (2013/02/17):
Was not a fan of this book at all.
|
