Wicked

by Gregory Maguire

Most of us have heard of this book or at least the musical. I have heard so much good for so long and have been meaning to get to it forever. My Aunt has seen the musical multiple times.

Well, in case you haven't heard anything about it you should know it is the story of the Wicked Witch of the West. It is the 'true' story of the Wizard of Oz. And it is very different from the story we all know.

The story tells all about the Wicked Witch, named Elpheba. She is born in Oz to a preacher and his discontent wife. The baby is born green, but worse, she has a full mouth of shark like teeth and has to be placed in a muzzle of sorts. There is no explanation. Well, not really. There is the faint memory that her mother has of a man giving her a green bottle of some liquid she drank and she thinks that maybe, that man could therefore be Elpheba's father.

From here we see her grow up and go to college. There she is given Galinda (later to be known as Glinda) as a roommate. The two become friends. That's right, friends.Well, it gets complicated. There is a whole othe side to the story really. Dorothy doesn't come along till the end. It's very interesting though.

There are a lot of very strange politics in the book. The whole talking animal thing is a big issue. And there are warped religious themes. Honestly, I can't even really get into it all without rereading the book. It's so complex. I am impressed that the author kept his own story straight.

One last note: I contacted the publishers to find out how much it would cost to have Gregory Maguire speak at our library. Other popular authors in the area charge $800-$1500 and maybe travel expenses. Well, Mr. Maguire charges $15,000 plus first class travel and accomodations!!!! *choke* I will not be hearing him speak here I guess. But I do wonder if he is single!!! LOL