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)

Wicked - The Life...Wicked Witch of the West

The story of Dorothy, her friends in Oz, and the Wizard have entered our collective consciousness and we sometimes see only a children's tale. This book presents a new view point: Oz seen by the Wicked Witch of West as she is born and grows to womanhood. The trials of one who is different and yet has the same feelings we do. The elements we know from Baum are present, but seen in a green tinted glass, distorted, and sometimes making more sense. I enjoyed this book very much and I highly recommend it.

didn't like the narrator

I didn't care for the narrator. He sounded like he had something in his mouth.

worth every minute.

there were a few chapters I could have done without but overall it was greatly written. an exquisite work of art. An adult fairy tale.

I've listened to it NINE times....

NINE times. I've gotten my money's worth out of it. NINE times. Did I say I listened to it NINE times?

Loved it Loved it! That's all.

Detailed account of an interpretation of OZ. Wonderful, touching. Elphaba made me want to be a better person.

Very enjoyable

Loved this book-couldn't wait to start my afternoon commute so it could "read me home." Loved this perspective of Elfaba. Sad it's over...

Wonderful

Great story, wonderful narrator. Very interesting characters and plot line. The story slowed slightly near the end, but overall I found this "adult fairy tale" to be highly entertaining and thought provoking. I couldn't stop listening to it.

Meh.

I made the mistake of reading the book after seeing the musical (which i thoroughly enjoyed). But, with the exception of the main characters, the two aren't even remotely alike. I really struggled to get through this one - the plot was overly complicated and difficult to follow, and to further complicate things, the narrator made no distinction between "animals" and "Animals", a very important difference i had for figure out on my own. I got lost so many times, i can't even tell you what the story is about, and when it finally ended, I was relieved. Yeah, i know it was a mega-best seller, but I just didn't care for it.

Adore this story

I've read it multiple times and love hearing it just as many. Even knowing what's gonna happen its still wonderful to experience every read.

The full story!

This book was slow to start, then it picks up. This kind of story really isn't my cup of tea, so my opinion doesn't have much weight. I was terrified as a child by the movie, Wizard of Oz, so that could possibly explain my not being so enthusiastic about this book.