Out of Oz: The Wicked Years, Volume 4

I've waited a long time for this - and it was only over too fast! There is some serious tying up of loose ends, some SHOCKS that had me in TEARS, and I must say, it's time now to listen to the whole series, because I'm sure I missed stuff. But Brrr is back, as lovable and neurotic as ever, we find out what happens to all of Elphaba's progeny (like that green baby!), and meet so many of the characters from the previous 3 novels. I can't say much more without giving stuff away, but if you've loved the first 3, you will love this! I sure did!

Twisted Mind F&$@!

When the blind-fold was lifted from Liir and Candle's eyes and they could see what

I have only heard Mr. McDonough read Wicked and A Lion Among Men and I truly enjoyed his interpretation. I especially love his Brrr and his Granny was a hoot!

Out of Oz...Ruby slippers no required

This is the first book in the out of oz series which I got on audio book. Reading the earlier books, I was not very engaged in the stories. I would find myself stopping and starting the books over and over until I finally finished them. I became very engaged in this book in a way I did not with the others. I think its due to the audio performance. I might just pick up the other books in audio.

Not the ending I was expecting, but that's good. I like being kept on my toes. Nothing is what you'd expect in the land of OZ and following the lineage of the Wicked Witch has left me wonderstruck. I know it's over, but I want more.

I'm not really sure I could find someone who would enjoy this rambling mess.

I'm not really sure there was a story here. I listened to it, and when done, I just don't rurally understand what the story was suppose to be anyway. The first book was awesome, but the next three have gotten progressively worse. I continued listening to this book in hopes that it would be redeeming at some point, but alas I was sadly disappointed.

Performance is fine, it was the story that was just awful.

This book sparked disappointment and confusion as to what exactly the story was.

Don't waste your time with this book. In the end, it is just a rambling mess of nothing.

I loved the other books in the Wicked series, however this one felt out of place and a bit too long. At times it felt a bit too wordy and descriptive.
But I stuck it out since I wanted to know how the story ended. The ending was lack luster and ultimately I could have done without this installment.
If you really want to know how the Wicked series ends read it. However its not really exciting.

The narration itself was great though.

I have enjoyed all the other books in the

He is good at all of them

It was better to listen to than read, at least the reader is entertaining.

Yes. Gregory Maguire has created the world within the original story of Oz. Wonderfully detailed descriptions which creates a very long story. Although some of the unnecessary details could have been cut and still have the same outcome to be shorter version.

Yes

no it is way too long to listen to in one sittnig.

I feel that it's a fitting end to the Wicked Years. It wraps things up nicely, and the author answers some questions that seem to arise. Gregory adds some pretty wicked humor at the right times to give a good chuckle. Like wise, if you've fallen in love with any of the characters you'll experience tragedy as well. Most of all I love how the author re-wrote the world of Oz so that you find out that the Wizard of Oz may not have been everything youve known it to be.

Oh, there's so much. I guess, how attracted I got to some of the characters, and how much I detested some others.

Grandma Beaver was pretty great.

I agree with many of the other listeners who have listened to Out Of Ozz and the earlier books. These books aren't for everyone. At times Gregory seems to just ramble on and you begin to wonder what he's getting at. There's a few things I would like to point out with The Wicked Years. To start with, this is not a series for your young daughter. If you watched the musical and then decided to read the book, Wicked, be aware that this series was written with a mature audience in mind.

This is a very introspective series. As you listen ( or read) you can somewhat see the author's own philosophies and questions that he's writing into his book. You can take it at face value of whats going on in the story or you can also follow his thought trains. He tends to derail sometimes and play around with some ideas. I think this is why many may not appreciate it. It's also not a book/ or series for people who think that every story needs to end on a positive note. As I said its introspective and I feel the author writes his own thoughts on life into the series.

I love McGuire's descriptive writing. Hearing the audiobook just enhanced the imagery for me.

He did an excellent job of bringing to life the descriptive writing of McGuire while also giving life and voice to the characters.