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.