Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

My sister gave this to me because it was a best-seller and she assumed that meant the author knew how to tell a story in such a way as to keep the attention of the reader. She was unaware that the best-seller lists are infested with the works of authors who simply cannot tell a story well. She shouldn't have bothered. I slogged through the first half of the book more out of a sense of obligation to my sister, then I threw it to the "later" pile.

It was crass and dull and utterly without joy or wonder.

I became enthralled by the characters Elphaba, Glinda, Nessa and many others throughout the novel. Many issues are brought to light including Animal cruelty, spirituality, inter-racial relationships, good vs. evil and political themes.

This story is a detailed (very long) yet interesting novel and one that will change my perspective of "OZ" forever.

The book was is a let down, because you are excepting one thing and getting another.

The main problem I had with this book was the author didn't set up the chapters. The title said one thing and you end up reading about something complete different and for me this was the reason the book was so dry.

It wasn't until the fiftieth chapter did I start getting into it and that because I was really trying. The author also jumps back and forth on topics that you can't keep up, it almost enough to make your head spin. The only to really understand this book is if you know something of the "Wizard of Oz" besides the movie.

My son loved the book but it came to us damaged. We were highly dissapointed but we decided it keep it instead of going through the trouble of sending it back as he waited long enough for it.

We love the songs from "Wicked" (the play), so I bought this book, expecting a similar storyline. I flipped through the book before my 15 year old daughter read it, to check for content.

What I found was sexual depravity (bedhopping and worse), borderline bestiality (what's with the tiger and naked people?), incestuous tendencies (sexual ecstacy giving rescue breathing to 'son' Liir?), pubic hair color, warm feeling in a child's crotch, and not much of a coherent storyline.

If these things give you a 'charge', then go for it and read this thing.

If not, then either do not buy it or have your tome join mine in the trash.