Rent: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

By Gregory Maguire

Overview & Description

When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil?

Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to be the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.


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Book Details

ISBN 10: 0061350966
ISBN 13: 9780061350962
560 pages.
First Published:10/31/1995
List Price:7.99
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Categories this title is in
Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, All Categories, Contemporary, Fantasy

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Reviews:

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jen284 writes,

I read "Wicked" almost 10 years ago and loved Maguire's dark and tragic look at the Wicked Witch of the West. As a life long lover of the Wizard of Oz, the movie and the entire series of books by frank Baum, I was drawn to this story told from the witches point of view. It was fantastic. Drew me in from the first chapter where the green "girl" (the midwife wasn't quite sure) Elphaba is born and how she grows and matures into a force to be rekoned with; although Elphaba's insecurities keep her from reaching her full potential. I loved this political look at what happened before Dorothy landed in Oz and how the bonds of friendship,love, & Sisterhood were developed and tested during Elphaba's lifetime.