Wicked

The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

By: Gregory Maguire

Narrated by: John McDonough

Length: 19 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Heralded as an instant classic of fantasy literature, Maguire has written a wonderfully imaginative retelling of The Wizard of Oz told from the Wicked Witch's point of view. More than just a fairy tale for adults, Wicked is a meditation on the nature of good and evil.

Elphaba is born with green skin, a precocious mind, and a talent for magic. An outcast throughout her childhood in Munchkinland, she finally begins to feel as though she fits in when she enters the University in the Emerald City. While she hones her skills, she discovers that Oz isn't the Utopia it seems. She sets out to protect its unwanted creatures, becoming known as the Wicked Witch along the way.

Narrator John McDonough draws you in to Maguire's magical world of witches and talking animals, making it possible to believe in a land somewhere over the rainbow.

©1995 Gregory Maguire (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"A staggering feat of wordcraft." (Los Angeles Times)
"McDonough's excellent portrayals of Elphaba's outspoken, gravel-voiced nanny, Glinda's snobbish friends, and the wide-eyed, soft-spoken Dorothy make this excursion to Oz worthwhile." (Publishers Weekly)

Excellent!

I have enjoyed every second of this book! It’s such a well told story! I don’t usually like audio books because I’m so picky about the sound of the voice of the storyteller, but John McDonough has been so entertaining to listen to! He’s a great actor and you can tell he has a heart for literature it shines through in his performance! The combination of a great writer meets a great narrator is dynamic; you won’t be able to stop listening!

Wasn't in the Right Mindset for This

The book was very involved. It was good, but I think my problem was that I came into with the mind set of it being more like the movies: The Wizard of Oz, and Return to Oz. Which had stronger veins of fantasy to them.

Overly critiqued

A magical story that lends so much to the depth of the story of Oz. The highpoint of the story was how much I was moved to emotion growing to love and accept Elphaba while knowing her fate. I mourn her.

Doesn't Stand Up To Hype

I'm an avid lover of the Broadway and of course I know that probably makes me a bit biased, but the written story is ridged, way more convoluted than necessary. The time breaks make it seem rushed in areas. Characters are introduced and just as quickly killed or forgotten. I feel the author was trying very hard to teeter on whether or not you wanted to root for Elphi which I don't necessarily dislike, but some of it just didn't make sense. Her treatment of Leer especially. Yeah, I'm honestly disappointed with this book when for years I've been told it's way better than the Broadway. Books usually are.

as for the the narrator, I will never again listen to anything by him. I became so distracted by the sound of swallowing and lacking lips that I had to go back and listen to some chapters a second time. I nearly gave up completely because 19 hours of it was pure torture.

What an exciting story!!

I enjoyed it so much! I saw the musical Wicked and it correlates quite well with the book.

Stopping Here

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Fan of the musical, too. I was excited to see that there was a full series of the Wicked Years but I won't give them a cent for the 2nd book as the sample narration alone made me physically cringe. What a shame to derail an interesting story/series with such an incredibly poor performance to follow. The worst part is the publisher must know how awful the 2nd book performance is because they brought this book's narrator, John McDonough, back for 3 and 4. Well, maybe if enough people stop buying Son of a Witch on hype alone (read reviews and the disappointment is blatant), we'll get a proper rendition.

wonderfully thought provoking

every character seems human in the worst way. everyone is snide and rude at times, while being bold and kind when others are around. everyone no matter how small their role seems flushed out and unique. a great listen if you really want to challenge yourself and you perception of others

one of my favorite stories

This is one of my favorite stories. I can't wait for the next one. I love ll of Gregory Mcguire's stories.

Maguire’s details astound. I Have a much deeper understanding of the main characters.

Liked the richer background
knowledge. Wish it hadn’t had to be so long, honestly. I want to reread it to see early details that return. Loved how author
didn’t leave elements hanging.

Again

I read this book when it was first published and enjoyed it immensely then. My feelings have not diminished with time. I love twisted fairy tales and Maguire is a master of them. There are so many facets to each and every person- one person’s wicked witch is someone else’s champion.