Wicked

So far I have really enjoyed reading Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. I think Maguire has done a very good job relating the two stories together, the movie, The Wizard of Oz and the Wicked Witch's side of the story. I like how Maguire gives an explanation for everything and relates Wicked to the film. For example in class today when we discussed Glinda's dress. That comes directly from the film, Glinda is first seen wearing a humongous pink and poofy dress. I think Maguire is also doing a great job developing Elphaba's character. So far I feel he has given a thorough explanation of how and why Elphaba becomes the character she is portrayed to be in the film. I also like Maguire's portrayal of the Wizard, in the movie the Wizard is kind and wants to help Dorothy. In Wicked he is one of the bad guys, and Elphaba is one of the good guys, or at least the character you are rooting for. I feel that Maguire has done an excellent job erasing his readers previous thoughts and feelings of the Wicked Witch of the West, and he makes her human and easy to see as the protagonist. I have enjoyed Wicked very much and would like to read his other novels particularly the sequel, Son of a Witch.