I read this book before it became a play, mostly because of all the hype around it. It was awful. The plot dragged, the author barely went into the issues (political oppression, racism, etc.) that Oz was supposed to have, and the unnecessary and vulgar sexual references distracted and ruined the story (eg: mountain passes likened to a very vivid description of a woman).

I think the book's downfall came from the fact that I saw the Broadway play first (which was absolutely magical)...this story is only remotely similar to the play that was based upon it. I found the book to be much darker, much slower, much more convoluted and slightly boring

This is my second book by Maguire, and I have to say it was a wonderful, exciting and yet exploring story. By inventing a 'back story' for the infamous Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz, Maguire tells an epic tale of a bizarre and fantastical land and a woman who struggles to find her place in it. Elphaba (a homage to L. Frank Baum) is born with green skin -- marked as different in a land where Animals can speak and magic is taught in schools. As she struggles to both fit in and stand out, Elphie (as she is known to her friends) struggles with questions of religion, with politics and with loyalties to friends and family. Obviously we know how the story ends... but its the getting there that is so fantastic. And the ending is, somehow, a wee bit different now. Not quite so black and white...

I was entranced by this novel as soon as I started reading it. Just to be able to see their world in a different light was amazing to me. But it started getting into politics which I didn’t find very interesting. I loved how the book followed The Wicked Witch of the West’s life and it was great to see the relationships that she made and how they came together to build the story behind the Wizard of Oz musical. The book did contradict the musical a little but I think that was the point the author was trying to make when he wrote this book. We had been seeing the story through one set of eyes when in reality there were many more people involved in the story. Overall I would recommend it but it did get a bit boring in the middle to the end of the book.

The beginning of this book was really creative and instantly drew me in. After a while though, I realized I didn't like the direction it was taking. The underlying political messages were something I didn't care to analyze, and the characters were not very relatable. A few parts did come to life thanks to the colorful settings and witty dialogue, but it just wasn't enough to keep me totally interested. Try Mirror, Mirror, or Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister for more excitement.

I absolutely adored this book. Gregory Maguire wonderfully retells the story of The Wizard Of Oz. Poor Elphaba. She isn't made out to be wicked in this story or innocent. She is just a person trying to get through life as best she can. The book examines evil. Is Elphaba born evil? I think evil things just happen to and around her. Though from birth, from conception, she seemed destined to play an important role in the history of her country.

Of course she wanted the shoes, the ruby slippers. They were her sister's shoes and The Good Witch Of The North had no right to give them away. Both Glinda and Elphaba were only trying to do what they thought was right. After all, Dorothy was sent to the castle with the purpose of killing the Witch. I'm sad that a horrible accident, a happenstance of circumstance, cost Elphaba her life.

growing up as a huge fan of wizard of oz, it was so enjoyable to see the other side of it. a great read

The concept of this book is brillian. I loved the musical and have watched it many times. So what a great idea to explore the life of one of the characters before the arrival of Dorothy.

Sadly, after a tremendous beginning, the book slows down and it ultimately became a slog for me to continue on.

It could have been so much more.

Sometimes classical children's literature and fairy tales might seem a bit boring after a million repetition and retelling. Wicked is an ingenious creation that leads us to revisit the good old "Wizard of Oz" story from a totally different angle. What if nothing is as it seems? As the bookcover intro said, "challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil." While getting to love the Wicked Witch of the West, I won't be surprised that the same kind of mis-stereotyped good or evil might be occurring in our so-called reality all the time. An amazing must read.

I have never felt the urge to write a review until reading this book. If you are taken away by the original Wizard of Oz, you will feel insulted by this book. It is nothing in resemblance to the magically and wonderfully crafted work of Mr. Baum. However, what it turned out to be was a cheap modern day slew of infidelity and politics linked to the infamous Wicked Witch to sell copies. Poorly written and extremely upsetting. I was in love with the musical but this book was a let down.

If you were in love with the Wizard of Oz, don't read this book or you'll end up feeling like you could have spent your time reading something that was more than a mere "hype" and an actual work of literature.

I was looking forward to this book and it started out well, but it goes no ware. The book introduces things and characters that it doesn't develop and have no relevance (i.e. the golden carp in the well). I was very disappointed with the book over all. I have not seen the musical and judging from the other reviews, if you tie this book to the show the book gets a good review, but if the book is simply reviewed only on its own, the reviews are not good.

If you ever wondered why the Wicked Witch of the West was SO evil this book is for you! This is the story of a girl who was born green in the great land of Oz and the years she spent just trying to fit it. Though you watch the movie and think you could never forgive that horrible witch, reading this book makes you feel sorry for the little girl inside! The adult land of Oz is full of political turmoil, assassinations and bribery! I will forever love this story!

This book was actually really well written. Definately for the 'adult mind' though... Some scenes get pretty graphic... This book made me feel for the characters and really gave each of the characters a distinct and 'real life' personality. I lauged out a loud more than a few times, and I couldn't wait to keep reading through the life of the most misunderstood and underestimated villain of the time period.

I purchased this book one day I was looking for something to read. I got started it was slow at first, but it became more fast paced, it ends in a way that was not fully expected (after all we have all seen the movie, The Wizard of Oz.) and so it kept me on the edge of my seat. Gregory McGuire's writing is unique and very well thought out. I recommend this book all the time to customers who come to me looking for something fun and interesting. Quite a few times the customers choose it.

This is the first Maguire book I've read and I greatly enjoyed it. I can't wait to read Confessions. I have a whole new respect for the Wicked Witch. This book really makes you think about the original movie in a whole new way. I would recommend it to anyone. I already have three people who want to borrow it.

Loved this book, alway a huge Wizard of Oz fan but this book was a huge twist from the wizard of oz.. Loved reading it, would recommend it to anyone, can't wait to try another of his books.

I read the book, knowing that it was completely different from the musical in order for me to see how different it really is. Maguire's imagingation and use of descrition makes the book a fantastic read for anyone who loves The Wizard of OZ. Please read this novel and make your own decision but don't think twice about seeing the musical. I couldn't put the book down as Maguire takes you into the psyche of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and explains how she becomes "wicked" and how her life is changed by Galinda, Nessarose and everyone at Shiz.

Being a huge musical theatre fan I was immensly dissappointed when I was unable to see the musical version of Wicked. In order to comfort myself i bought the book and if the musical is anything like the book then it was no comfort at all to know I missed it. The book was wonderful. Gregory Maguire takes Baum's tale and extends it and embellishes it to CS Lewis and Tolkien levels. It is a fantastic read for anyone who liked the Wizard of Oz although discretion is advised for children as it gets a little racey!

I was expecting something interesting out of this book since it had glowing reviews and the musical was sold out in Toronto MONTHS before it actually came, but what I read was incredible.

It was an insight on evil and good, and how people are neither in entirety, it had love, murder, magic and adventure all at once, and so much feeling I thought I would cry from beginning to end.

This book is the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, and develops characters in the Oz World. It leaves the Wizard and Dorothy and makes for an enormous backstory which seems to be hidden under our own eyes when we read the first Oz book or even watch the Judy Garland movie. It's incredible, one of my favourite books to date.

It also doesn't try to be great literature like The Da Vinci Code, and because it doesn't really try, it is. It is more philosophical and more colourful than most books of this "new" century.

The English isn't very hard to understand either, while not insulting its readers with simplistic notions. I'm no expert, but I enjoyed reading this book and I hope so will you.

This book was okay...I was frustrated with the extravagant detail and continuation of bits and pieces of story that didn’t really add up to anything in the end. In truth, the book was hard to get through and by the time I had finished I felt as though I had wasted too much time reading an unsatisfying story. But I hear the musical is fantastic!