Has anyone read the actual Wicked book?

[shesings]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 7:41pm

My little sister is 10, and told me recently shes reading the book. From what I understand its very different from the show, and not really appropriate for a 10 year old. I was wondering if anyone could let me know what they think before I talk to my mom. Thanks.

[localonecrew]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 7:43pm

no such thing as a bad book

[guttertanzer]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 7:44pm

I am currently reading the book and I think it is a little inappropriate for a 10-year-old. However, alot of it could just go over her head.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 7:45pm

It's not very appropriate for that age group. It is an amazing book, much more complex and layered than the musical. I would definitely recommend the novel, but to an older age group than your sister. It's not really the sexual content or language (although there is a bit); the book requires a mature reader to fully appreciate it. Oh, and most of the characters die. (pm me if you would like to know who) Updated On: 6/24/04 at 07:45 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 7:47pm

Maguire is a perv. I'm not very far in, but so far after Elphaba is born she bites the finger of of one of the midwives and there was a part where a glass blower comes to see Elphaba's mom after the father leaves and it says how the mom's robe is open, exposing her breast, but that she leaves it open for the guy to see... it's gross. Updated On: 6/24/04 at 07:47 PM

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 7:49pm

Though I liked the book, it's not appropriate for a 10-year-old. It has some sexual content, and the things that CATS mentioned. There are some parts that Maguire could have edited out, but on the whole, it was a good book.

[boborunstheshow]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 7:51pm

i think its odd to see CATS referring to such a thing as "gross"

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 7:54pm

I loved the book. I've read it twice
But yeah, not a kiddie book and TOTALLY different from the show

[Glebb]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 7:54pm

Love reading it. I don't want it to end.

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 7:55pm

a much MUCH better story than the show... INfinitely better...

[Dawg]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:02pm

I find it very funny that you refer to someone's breast being shown is unsuitable for someone so young, yet most parents have no problem letting a kid watch someone get beheaded on television-not making any statements about anyone here in particular, just society as a whole.

Doesn't it seem like our priorities are a little screwed up?

[SMichaelK]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:02pm

Haven't read it, but I'm currently trying to get a copy off a friend. But from everything I've heard its an amazing piece of literary work.

[mominator]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:05pm

The book was so much better than the show, but I do have to agree that it is not appropriate for a 10year old. I was hoping for the show to be somewhat closer to the Maguire book.
B

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:06pm

I've actually read it three times. It's really good.

[DivaMommy]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:08pm

I wouldn't let a ten year old read it.

If her mother has a concern - have her read the book first.

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:15pm

I was 12 the first time I read it. And I read a book called Bee Season when I was 9 withmuch more graphic scenes. This is fine.

[Songof theShoebox]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:18pm

The book was good and all, but I would under no circumstances let a ten year old read it. I don't even know if she'd really like it. It was good and all, but some parts of it were... um... strange, and a lot of it struck me as very textbook

[shesings]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:20pm

thanks for everyones opinions! just so everyone knows I by no means want anyone to think i meant it was potentially a bad book, but i heard that it was sexual and i just don't want my sister being corrupted just yet!

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:22pm

If you'd like to have her reading about Fieyro and Elphaba having sex, go right ahead.

I think that every character in the book has a different ending then the musical.

[Glebb]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:29pm

OY! You guys, don't give stuff away!!!
Didn't you read that some of us are not done reading the book yet?????
I suspected Fieyero and Elphaba would fall in love, but please let me discover this for myself. Please, please.

The book does have sexual situations that should be too adult for ten year olds. More than that, it deals with relationships, friendships, discrimination and barriers, breaking down of barriers and friendships that grow beyond surface values. All of that might be a tad too advanced for a ten year old to understand, but maybe not. I am not an expert on child maturity levels. Read the book and then decide for yourself.

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:44pm

I *really* don't reccomend it for a 10 year old.
It was a fantastic book, I enjoyed every page, and I think it deserves a lot more credit than the musical!
BUT there is definately a lot of adult content. Including beastiality. I mean, a lot of it will go over her head....but you don't want to find yourself in one of those situations where you have to explain something to her.
Hope you can come up with creative answers!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 9:08pm

The book is amazing, but I DEFINITELY don't recommend it for a 10 year old. I read the book before I saw the show... it's very different. It's very dark and political, and has a lot of things that really wouldn't bode well for a musical these days. It's not very happy, but like I said before, it's a GREAT read.

[Aryn007]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 9:13pm

Not not not a kid's book. Personally I thought it could have been better...I had expected it to really delve and help us to really understand Elphaba's character, however it was sorely lacking in my opinion. Perhaps it's because it asks a lot of good questions and provides no answers. Yes, I know that was probably the point, but still a bit of a let down. I found myself thinking of Xenocide by Orson Scott Card (author of Ender's Game) and how much better some of the same questions were presented though with a completely different setting.


I recently found out that many of the characters and places such as Professor Nikidik and the Land of Ev are from the actual Oz books by Baum. At the moment I'm searching for The Tin Man of Oz for more information on the Kumbric Witch. According to The Annotated Wizard of Oz there's supposed to be a character who claims to be the last of the Kumbric Witches...

[tennis85]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 9:33pm

"But from everything I've heard its an amazing piece of literary work."

I wouldn't call it that, but it was an interesting book. However, I don't feel as sorry for Elphaba in the book as I do in the stage production...

[b-waygirl]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 9:56pm

uhh..i read it when i was 11...and i've handled alot more graphic stuff than that before i read it.. it wasn't that hard of a read either, i didn't think. i think that it depends on how much of this kind of stuff they've been exposed to in the past, because if they've led a sheltered life with parents who screen everything taht comes their child's way, then no this is not an appropriate read for them. but if they've had parents who are a bit more leniant on this stuff (screen the stuff they see, but aren't incredibly strict about it) then i think it's alright, as long as they know enough to understand it.