Wickedly Awful

Wicked:  The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

Fantasy

I saved this book to read over a long holiday because I knew it would be so good. What a disappointment.  I absolutely hated it!  I don't understand what all the hype is about.

This book tells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.  With a main character like that, it should be a slam dunk; yet, Maguire has turned her into an Eco-terrorist, scared of all human interaction.  She's weird and unlikeable, a main character that is impossible to connect to.  Elphaba was an autistic-like child, but green.  Her condition most likely a result of a forgotten tryst between her alcoholic, nymphomaniacal mother and an ef.  The only person who could possibly love her was her staid, minister "father".  When she goes to college, she ends up with Glinda as a roommate.  There is very little to like about Glinda before she turned into a good witch..  She is  snobbish and treats those around her very selfishly.  Still, those two seem to bond and grow fond of one another with a grudging sort of self respect.  Elphaba commits her life to overthrowing The Wizard of Oz, a corrupt power-hungry politician.

The one good thing I can say about this book--it was so boring that it would cause me to nod off frequently while reading it.  So, I was well-rested.  Maybe it would be better with music and dancing.  It can't be worse.