I've been meaning and meaning to read this book for ages, I love retellings and interpretations of stories whether it is through novels, films or poetry. For the few people who don't know this book tell the life of the Wicked Witch of the West. Now before we go any further I will say I have never seen The Wizard of Oz, so I went into this with just the basic information about the background story.
Elphaba is born green all over, with an aversion to water, religion and compassion for other people. The novel covers her birth till her death and all the intervening event in between.
I have a really mixed view of this book, I loved sections of it and happily curled up on the sofa to read about her childhood, college days and days in love. When she moved to free herself of her guilt, and her son into Sarima's house I found myself wondering how much more of the book I had to read, I kept checking the page numbers and felt like I was pulling myself through. The final section was too wordy and by the end I had lost my desire to know what happened to Elphaba or to care for her fate. In my opinion it needed a good edit, and some pace at the end.
Challenges:
999 (Fantasy/fairytale)
A-Z (Title)
Themed Read (Move 'em along)
Chunkster Challenge (496 pgs)
4 comments:
I picked this up and put it down about 5 times in Waterstones today - in the end I didn't buy it as I was won over by the 3 for 2 books on offer. There is a sequel to it as well.
I agree completely. I thought it picked up a bit at the end when Dorothy finally arrived and he connected up the story we know with his imaginings. I was impressed by his ability to make a whole world to fit into the little that is known from The Wizard of Oz.
I'd still love to see the musical.
I felt the same way when i read this book. In fact it took me about 6 months to get through it. I kept putting it down after she finished college. It just took so long and it was sort of boring. I didn't even read the last 20 pages or so. But I still count it as a completed book.
I'm sorry you didn't like it. I loved it and Son of a Witch and am looking forward to reading the new one. Hopefully it won't put you off Maguire for good.
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