The Book Nook is my little place to talk about (not to be insanely obvious here…) books. Because I like to read a book every year or so. I promise I won’t give anything away (but, things happen). And, there is a 76% chance that you’ll find this review a complete waste of time because you read the book 10 years ago. Moving on.
THE BOOK: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire.
(I know. I said I was reading The Book Thief. Turns out, I had only *intended* to read it but never got my lazy behind to the library to check it out. I assumed announcing it on the internet would be just the motivation I needed but we all know what happens when you assume… So, when a friend took me into her library to tell me her grand plans of redecorating it, I did what any good friend would do: Got distracted from her decor infused motions by her sweet collection of reads and selfishly asked if I could borrow one (Wicked) so I could put off going to the library for a few more months.)
My thoughts (which most likely carry little to no influence):
Ok, I am just going to come out with it: This book was smarter than me. G. Maguire, you won, okay? So, this is what’s up. This book is a prelude to the tale we all know from our childhood, The Wizard of Oz. This novel details the life story of a very adept little girl who took note of the unjustness swirling about her world and its assortment of inhabitants – and as it goes, she decided to do something about it. Her unique nature, unfortunate green skin and a series of random and not so random events culminate into her final life experience as the infamous Wicked Witch of the West – which (teehee) very much challenges the definition of being wicked – of being evil.
The gist of the book, I get. It’s the layers of the book’s politics that lose me a little. Maybe it’s too formulaic of me but I wanted more closure. I wanted more convergence of the story I was familiar with and the ending of this novel. The Wicked Witch of the West (Elphie) was marvelously developed, the writing was excellent, and the Land of Oz intricately painted, but I was expecting to learn more of Dorothy, her three companions and how they fit in with other interesting characters living in the strange world of Oz. Early on, the book sneakily references the Cowardly Lion and how he became so but the ending left me with more questions than answers. I know it was the author’s purpose to turn the Land of Oz upside down, which he did, but I was hoping he would flip it back over and fill me in just a *teeny* bit more. Overall: a good read, a serious novel, and a writer that is capable of crafting a dark and knotty journey that makes you think harder than you’re used to. Maybe that’s a good thing every once in a while since my daily reading usually comprises solely of oldnavy.com.
Grade: B+
Would I recommend it to a stranger on the bus (trying to make his way home)? Depends. I envision that this book would spur a wonderfully enlightened coffee shop discussion if you could round up a political science major (to pontificate on the involved systems of successful and doomed leadership), an anthropologist (to discuss the nature and origins of different people and the complexities of tribal relationships), a philosopher (who would wax poetically regarding the muddled distinction between good and evil) and me, obviously (only because I love to talk a lot and sip excitedly from a white chocolate mocha-skim-extra vanilla drizzle-no whip-but if you accidentally put whip on I’d be insanely pumped).
What I am reading now: Cane River because I borrowed it from my MIL a hundred years ago and I suspect she wants it back before the next Olympics. The Book Thief, you will not elude me for much longer (I hope)!!!
Read any books lately that were smarter than you?
I haven’t read any books that were smarter than me, but were hard to understand…I read the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson and I highly recommend them and the movies that follow it, because and then you can understand the books a little better because the author was Swedish and the translations didn’t make sense in some places, but the movies are subtitled in english, so it makes it very easy to follow along
They are re-making the movies in english sometime later this year, but I thought it was more fun (and yes, dorkier, of course) to watch the swedish version first 
I have also been reading a lot of Amish books lately, my mom kind of got me hooked on them…they are quick reads and just based on fictional colonies, but it’s interesting to read about their lifestyle
Happy Monday
Oooooh, I’ve heard very good things about “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” series…it’s on my loooong list! Happy Monday to you too!
This review makes me want to read Wicked. Since I’m probably the only person in the country that is not familiar with the Wizard of Oz, maybe I will be completely satisfied with Oz not being “flipped back over” by the end.
Then we can hit up the musical to pull everything together (and get some good material for a “the candace: spot life”).
Weeeeee, now that would be fun. We haven’t had a Spotlife in ages (winter hibernation has gotten the best of us).
Have you seen the musical? You’d probably enjoy that more. After seeing the musical, I thought about reading the book too but heard it was a difficult read. Now I know for sure! LOL!
My Mom (and lots of others) raved about the musical so I really can’t wait to check it out!! Maybe some of the pieces will make more sense once I see it.
Where’s the movie? I have the attention span of a 3 year old when I’m reading. Err. When I’m doing anything.
Heehee. I have the same problem when it comes to house cleaning…
me too…I have to break it up into stages, even though it doesn’t take that long, it just seems very overwhelming for some reason…
I feel the same way!
I will also plug the musical. It was AMAZING!
Need to put this on our To Dos!
I wish I’d read your Book Nook prior to reading Wicked, I bet I would have liked Wicked better
Zack, if you’d like to read it let me know and Wicked will make it’s way to Casa de Garbow
Yeah, this would have been a good bookclub pick because we could use it to get an actual book discussion going!
I did love the musical. I was surprised because I have never liked the Wizard of Oz movie. It is always pleasant to root for the underdog or under green dog…. The music and lyrics were marvelous executed and the cast kept us enthralled. I know I am superficial about most literature but to me it was just ugly girl used by pretty girl and all that comes with that. Fun. I am glad to see the book nook. love mamap
Me too, I missed the Book Nook.
I only made it about half way through Wicked because it was a difficult read so props for making it all the way through to the end
I can help you in avoiding the library again since I own the book thief and would be happy to lend it out to you.
*claps* Really!? I would love to borrow it from you – thank you, Miss Mindy! I’m glad I’m not the only one that thought Wicked was difficult!