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

4.0

I first read this book in high school (and have never listened to/watched the musical) and while I didn't remember much, I think it has been surprisingly formative. It is a strange book, and I feel like describing makes it sound kind of bad, to be frank. The plot is kind of sporadic and patchy, and then it just ends. There's always something a little distant in the novel the whole time that keeps me from seeing the characters as anything more than thought exercises and puppets for the author, I think in the way most fairytales never feel particularly lived in. However, I think Maguire's prose is rich and enjoyable. There's a real pleasure in reading his words that I can't discount. I have more thoughts but they're difficult to articulate.