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

adventurous dark reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A very interesting read in my opinion. I felt like it spoke to how isolating living in a repressive society can be, both because of how that society shuns you and because your relationships are strained by your horror at what your peers are willing to accept. It skipped most major plot points in favor of focusing on Elphaba's frame of mind and development as a character, which I personally didn't mind.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Murder

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Genocide, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, War

If you want to avoid reading about rape, skip Merlena's conversation with her mother about Elphaba's conception and also the scene in which Avaric and company attend the Philosophy Club.