Comments on: Book Review: Wicked by Gregory Maguire http://www.summet.com/blog/2007/05/10/book-review-wicked-by-gregory-maguire/ My external memory Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:43:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Marly Jones http://www.summet.com/blog/2007/05/10/book-review-wicked-by-gregory-maguire/comment-page-1/#comment-6564 Marly Jones Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:17:41 +0000 http://www.summet.com/blog/2007/05/10/book-review-wicked-by-gregory-maguire/#comment-6564 I agree, the internal dialoque was unnecessary and irksome. However, i also felt much of the middle part of the book (when Elphaba is at Shiz and in the Vinkus (especially the Vinkus section)) the plot advanced too slowly. Maguire could have replaced the, say, 200 pages in the middle and replaced them with 10 concise ones. However, i am sure there are those who prefer the detailled description of Oz's political, social and cultural climates. I must give credit to the author for the creative concept of "Wicked". Marketing it as a prequel to the timeless classic "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and adapting it to an adult audience were ingenious on Maguire's behalf. The audience that grew up with Baum's classic were bound to appreciate it. Furthermore, the novel deals with adult themes such as adultery, political and religious radicalism, and discrimination. Maguire has tried to reinvent this classic to suit adult audiences as oppose to more youthful ones. Despite the deceptive sales pitch, "Wicked" is an ordinary novel in need of a solid plot. I agree,
the internal dialoque was unnecessary and irksome. However, i also felt much of the middle part of the book (when Elphaba is at Shiz and in the Vinkus (especially the Vinkus section)) the plot advanced too slowly. Maguire could have replaced the, say, 200 pages in the middle and replaced them with 10 concise ones. However, i am sure there are those who prefer the detailled description of Oz’s political, social and cultural climates.

I must give credit to the author for the creative concept of “Wicked”. Marketing it as a prequel to the timeless classic “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and adapting it to an adult audience were ingenious on Maguire’s behalf. The audience that grew up with Baum’s classic were bound to appreciate it. Furthermore, the novel deals with adult themes such as adultery, political and religious radicalism, and discrimination. Maguire has tried to reinvent this classic to suit adult audiences as oppose to more youthful ones.

Despite the deceptive sales pitch, “Wicked” is an ordinary novel in need of a solid plot.

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