Wicked (Wicked Years 1): the bestselling book that inspired the movie Paperback – 11 Sept. 2006

Fantastic book.

This book is wonderfully written, witty and thought provoking! Highly recommended!

I enjoyed this book although I can see where the negative reviews came from. I am impressed by the writers ability to create a full lore surrounding the politics and religions of Oz. That is the what the story is founded upon....politics and religion. There is some enjoyable creativity in the storyline but a lot of politics. He writes characters well and this book is full of ideas. I appreciate the trouble gone into filling out the details of the lion, tinman and scarecrow in brief asides and I felt myself being pulled along by the story. I can’t help feeling a bit disappointed by all the intesting vents and characters that just went nowhere and dropped as loose ends. Wanted opportunities. But...it’s fun and I want to read the rest.

I really love this book, and I knew so before I bought it. It's witty and clever and quite serious, in a hilarious way. Definitely the best in the wicked series, I don't really like the sequels. However, I do think they should not have used the musical poster as the cover....because the musical and the book are a world apart.A definite must have if you're interested in a witty, smart look at the black-and-white world of Oz as presented by the original, but not if you're expecting a novel version of the musical, because it's just not.

I'm afraid I was anticipating a bit more from this book. The premise, the background to the life of The Wicked Witch of the West, appealed to me. I was hoping that this original idea would reveal how the main character became one of the most notorious villians in the world of fantasy.To this end, the author partially succeeds. But, like a number of books I've read, the first half is much stronger than the second half (I have encountered some notable exceptions recently to this phenomenon - "The Help" & "The Absent After-Life"). The parts with her growing up as a child and how she relates to her unusual parents/Grandmother make for rewarding reading. As does the part with Elphaba living alone and meeting up with an old friend. At this stage I had some sympathy for the main character - so well done there Mr. Maguire.But then it loses it for me, the book seems to become weighed down in the politics of Oz. I'm all for a bit of politics and mischief, but this was, well to be frank, dull and overlong. So much so, that I was glad to get to the end of the book. The book would have benefitted from far more interaction between Elphaba and her sister Nessarose and Glinda.Such a pity because Wicked started off quite strongly (IMHO). A bit of a lost opportunity as far as I am concerned.First half of the book - 4 starsSecond half of the book - 2 stars

I can honestly say that this still remains one of my all tome favourite books. I read this many years ago before it became a musical and have had to purchase it again as my first copy has fallen to bits.It is a book to be read and devoured, a character than anyone with a love of the Wizard of Oz will throroughly appreciate, this is the tale of the Wicked Witch of the West - Elphaba. I cannot recommend this highly enough, Gregory Maguire captures the imagination and her tale unfolds with great characters along the way.This is storytelling at its best.

I loved the story being told from the view point of the witch and how the characters interlinked and the twist at the end with the wizard. Also the political theme running through and the rights of the Animals the witch so desperately tried to protect.

Most people watch the musical. I have three times. But this is different. Richer, much more complex, full of poetry and truths so cutting they are quotes. It’s not an easy book but it’s one you will not forget. You are pulled into Oz as if by the cyclone in The Wizard of Oz. But this is a real Oz, it makes you believe in it.

If you love the play wicked amd are going to see the movie then this is the book for you recomend it

Jättebra bok och den levererades snabbt och utan problem. Tusen tack för bra vinterläsning

The book came full of glue on the side and the edges looked kinda worn out.

To goood love it

the book looked great as it arrived