Weird & indulgent

I stuck with this, thinking it might improve. Alas, no… it was so self indulgent at times and pompous. Certain elements were obscure and disjointed and so difficult to follow the narrative. Also it was almost impossible to feel any connection with the characters. I think it may have helped to have been narrated by a female voice rather than the ponderous way this was delivered.

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6 people found this helpful

Definitely not for children

Not at all what I expected, but a detailed, shocking story of Oz.
I haven’t seen the musical but I imagine there’s not a lot of this book in a family show.

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1 person found this helpful

Great listen

Puts a totally different light on the original story, just begs the question" who was really Wicked ?????? " it's up to you to decide !!!!!!

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Not as expected - which is a good thing!

Surprisingly darker, different to what the musical shows and makes me want to explore the rest of the series, at least the sequel.

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A fascinating insight into Elphaba’s history

Wonderful story, well performed. Creates a better understanding of what makes one wicked. Highly recommend a listen

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Relly good writing and carachter development

Bizarre gaps, the protagonists last chapter sudden derangement (ummm like Game of Thrones). Without spoiling, iMagine the witch descending on her broom to confront Dorothy then...She is waking from a hangover. Sorry thats a cheap cheat. The final ending results in the witches encounter with the film version bucket of water. but only after acting like a complete lunatic...this from the most rational carachter in the story. I was hoping for a better finish, the book is exceptional otherwise, truly so.

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1 person found this helpful

Overall it’s a good story

It’s a good story. However it is a little slow in places. The narrative is good. It’s interesting to hear the story behind the musical.

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Powerful and Moving

I didn't realise before reading this how closely racism and civil rights were going to be explored in this. Its really interesting how this is tired into the narrative.

I also love the mix of characters in age, race and background, surprisingly diverse. There are also hints and some or prominent mentions of LGBT+ characters/relationships/acts. This again is surprisingly. But to me at least this fits well and doesn't seem forced or out of place.

There is some brilliant world building and the way different creation myths are explored is really interesting. For a story with a lot of characters it doesn't feel overcrowded and for me at least it was fairly easy to keep track of them. I like how having been introduced and having built an emotional attachment to certain characters in the early chapters. We then jump forward serveral years and only learn of the fate of these characters in a very off hand way. This was extremely powerful and moving.

On a different note I was surprised by how much sex and reference to sex there was in this book. It also uses some interesting menaphors and positions. Again not what I was expecting. This is definitely not a children's book.

There is just so much packed into this book. But another thing I must mention is the was religion is portrayed in this. It is approached from so many different angles and view points. It's really interesting.

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Not the story I was expecting!

I really enjoyed it, quite different to the film which is what drew me to it. There are 4 books in the series , I’ve downloaded them as I’m itching to find out what happens next!

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Interesting, quite shocking, and insightful. (Not for children.)

I loved that this is the original version of the story.
The first time I read it, it was not what I was expecting. I did not like it at all. I felt the language very crude and the character of Elphaba hard to like. I had wanted to read this with my children and quickly realised from the get go how inappropriate that would be. There are a lot of sexual references.
On reflection the second time it made a lot more sense as to where the characters and story for Wicked the musical came from. I was able to understand, appreciate and actually like the characters more. The back story was more detailed and insightful. Especially about the political events involved.
I enjoyed the historic events and now appreciate the differences to the musical.
It is a total contrast to the Disney movie Wizard or Oz and the happy go lucky sentimental, feel good musical of Wicked.

It was well read and overall of you are a wicked or wizard of oz fan this is a must read.

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