Has anyone here read the Wicked book?

[theaterbuff]

Posted: 6/6/03 at 3:04pm

I am curious if it's worth reading...

TheaterBuff

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 6/6/03 at 3:07pm

Someone gave me that book about 5 years ago. I think I read it, but not sure. Or rather -- I don't know if I finished it. I hope that reading about WICKED might spur me on to go back and give it another chance.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 6/6/03 at 3:16pm

I enjoyed it. it was a good read.

[orion59]

Posted: 6/6/03 at 3:23pm

Very good book. Be prepared that it is very political and that the story of The Witch and Glinda are used to play out a take off on government. It's not the cute Wizard Of Oz type story that many expect it to be. If you are interetsed in reading a great book that deals with government and social issues and examines the roots of good and evil through the use of well known fantasy characters, then you will enjoy this book. There is a lot of fun in also. It really fills out the lives of these characters and gives a true biography of the witch.

Do you want to know why she is green? Why water can destroy her? Did she ever have a love life? Why is she so Wicked? How does she know Glinda and what is their rivalry based on?

All thses questions are answered in a way that makes you take a new look at what is good and bad. Is an evil person always what they appear to be on the surface or is there something more to them?

[sambaflora]

Posted: 6/6/03 at 4:44pm

I am with Orion here. A very smart novel, well worth reading. The author really develops the satire merely insinuated in the original Oz stories.

As excited as I am to see this show however, I hope the themes of the book do not become over sugarcoated and romanticized. Not that the novel isn't without its sentiments, but they are more often than not bittersweet. There is also some dark/disturbing imagery/occurences that I can not imagine making it into a Broadway bound show (For those who have read the book - can you imagine how the Philosophy Club scene would be depicted? Rick Sanctorum would have a field day with that one.)

Honestly, I would have preferred a really good film version.
Perhaps helmed by someone such as Tim Burton...or Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

But as always.....hoping for the best with what is happening.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 6/6/03 at 4:45pm

Ther ARE plans for a film.

[Alvin and My Sheepdog Rex]

Posted: 6/6/03 at 5:17pm

I have started reading Wicked, it's very clever and intriging but will be pressed to finish it before I see Wicked the Musical this weekend. But then who needs sleep!

[aliceripley]

Posted: 6/6/03 at 7:32pm

Hate to be the dissenter but I couldn't wait for it to be over. Dreary book, GREAT idea, so hopefully the musical will make a lot more of the premise.

[Alvin and My Sheepdog Rex]

Posted: 6/6/03 at 7:43pm

Well were up to page 85 and Rex has dozed off yet! I still find the premise fascinating.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 6/6/03 at 7:51pm

Alvin,
You might want to check out his other novel that follows the same type of premise -- "Cofessions of An Ugly Stepsister". Disney trashed it by turning it into a Wonderful World Of Disney moviw, but the book is good. MacGuire has a facination with exploring fairy Tales from the perspective of the 'Villian'.

[Melissa610]

Posted: 6/6/03 at 8:35pm

I really enjoyed the book. I have a fondness for books, plays, and films that take old stories and turn them upside down. I have "Confessions of an Ugly Step-Sister," but I haven't read it yet. I may have to get back to that!

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 6/6/03 at 8:42pm

I started to read it, and I was expecting the exact opposite of what it was. I was a little younger, and I wanted a more fairy tale- like version of the witch's life, but I think I'll try again. It gave you a lot to think about, and the plot was good. I think it takes someone a little bit more mature to read this one-hehe.

[janetlame]

Posted: 6/6/03 at 10:25pm

I just bought the book "Wicked" and have not gotten to it yet, but if you want an incredible read that is "WIZ-CENTRIC" get a copy of Geoff Ryman's novel "WAS." It is amazing... three parallel stories at once... the life of a historical (yet fictional) young girl named Dorothy Gale in late 19th century Kansas who is big-boned, ugly and awkward, who is tormented by her classmates and her Uncle Henry. Then the story of young Judy Garland at MGM in the middle of shooting the movie "The Wizard of Oz" and her tyrant of a mother, and the story of a man who is dying of AIDS who is about to play the scarecrow in a production of the "Wizard of Oz." It is really truly wonderful.

[aliceripley]

Posted: 6/7/03 at 6:07pm

I have to second Mary B and agree that WAS is a really wonderful book. I think I've read it three times. I also remember reading on Mandelbaum's column that someone like Barry J Kleinbort is writing a musical of it. How many Dorothys can Broadway handle? Don't answer that....

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 6/7/03 at 6:09pm

Just Dorothys or do her friends count too? We have plenty of those.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/7/03 at 8:43pm

Oh, I have read more than my share of wicked books. It all started in the 50's when I read PEYTON PLACE and followed it with LOLITA, THE WORLD OF SUZIE WONG and ELMER GANTRY. They were all extremely wicked and I was the most literate pervert in my class!

[sabrelady]

Posted: 6/8/03 at 12:07pm

STILL are.