My Review of "Wicked: The Life and Times of The Wicked Witch of the West"

Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked” is a victory in revisionist fictional writing. The novel is based on the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West. The author takes his time in establishing his interpretation of OZ. In wonderful detail we are told of the different races such as the Munchkin Landers, Quadlings, and Arjiki. Maguire even goes so far as to create a volatile political climate. The Wizard of Oz is portrayed as a cruel dictator determined to strip away the rights of Animals (not to be confused with animals). These are talking beasts who strive to be first class citizens. But the real fulcrum on which this story rests is the complicated character of Elphaba - who eventually becomes the infamous Wicked Witch of the West.

Elphaba’s childhood is disastrous. Though a large part of this is due to her being born with green skin, her parents are absolutely dysfunctional. Despite these problems - Elphaba’s personal actions as a young student are surprisingly moral. She openly questions the teachers at the School of Shiz when they support the Wizard’s anti - Animal rights propaganda. She even ends up joining a freedom fighter movement - though this ends unsuccessfully and with the death of her only lover.

What irks me about Wicked is how purposefully anti-climactic it was at times. I realize this was the writers intent to create mystery, but it borders on being infuriating. We are never really given any insight to the movement Elphaba was involved in nor was there an immediacy with its failure. When she seeks forgiveness for the affair with Fiyero, events unfold in such a way as to prevent the suspenseful moment from happening. Even her death at the hands of Dorothy lacked poignancy. Yes. We all know the Wicked Witch dies at the end of the story - but I didn’t feel Maguire’s novel owns that moment.

But again - what carries this story is the precocious, spiny, and endearing character of Elphaba. Wicked has many brilliant lines of dialogue and internalization. This was the main reason this novel was so easily adapted into a Broadway musical. Wicked is an entertaining read and deserves its place beside L. Frank Baum’s original work.

3:34am in the morning

I feel horrible but mildly triumphant. I've finally found a digital bookshelf which will work for blogger. Its called aNobii. I orignally intended to use Shelfari - but it just wasn't compatible with anything I was trying to do. I've been striving to make the blog a bit more interesting and with a little tinkering I think this will be a great addition. ...Of course that means I need to transfer the old book reviews on Shelfari over. Ugh. Off to sleep.

Pillars of the Earth

"Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett is without a doubt one of the most impressive novels I've read in a long time. With the background of Medieval Europe, this period specific piece centers on the building of a cathedral in the sleepy village of Kingsbridge. The author does a marvelous job depicting medieval Europe. Readers see the squalor of the peasantry, the barbarity of armored men, and the machinations of the ruling class. The buildings come to life as well. Mr. Follett's descriptions of the period specific architecture and buildings are very accurate. But what makes this epic so powerful is the cast of memorable characters whose often volatile interactions center on the cathedral's construction.


The characters can basically be broken down into three groups. Those associated with Tom Builder – the mason who will begin the construction of Kingsbridge Cathedral. There is the noble family of Earl Bartholomew who falls into disgrace after being accused of treason by the king. And then there's the villainous Hamleigh family – whose treachery and vindictiveness touch all the characters in some way. It's incredible how these characters evolve and interact with each other throughout the novel. The individual story lines build upon one another and connect to create an all-encompassing story. I'd wager to believe it was intentionally done this way to mirror the construction of the Kingsbridge cathedral.


The characters are all interesting and fleshed out. Readers will enjoy pious prior Philip, artistic idealist Jack Shareburg, and the despicable William Hamleigh as the decade's long tale unfolds. Some of the more enjoyable moments of this epic are the "witch" Ellen's view on the rule of Benedict, the massive battle of Lincoln's field, and Aliena's search of Spain for her lover Jack. The intense rivalries developed in the story seesaw back and forth throughout the years. The Earldom of Shiring once under the rule of Bartholomew is bitterly fought over between his children and the Hamleigh family. Bishop Waleran Bigod strives for influence at the expense of Prior Philip. All of these struggles and interactions occur with the backdrop of true historical events. The hundred year's war, the crusades, and the slaying of Thomas A' Becket are events that flow naturally with the story.

"Pillars of the Earth" was a massive undertaking. This is a book you’ll spend many a rainy day enjoying. The novel is nearly a thousand pages long, but as you grow entranced by Follett's spell you hardly notice it. The amount of craft and skill that went into this book makes it appealing to any reader regardless of their interest in the time period.

Car Crash

You think I’d be used to it by now. The initial impact of 2,000 pounds worth of steel and polymers colliding violently into the bumper of the car I was driving. It’s still scary. The force of the impact launched me forward as the seatbelt simultaneously restricted further to hold me in place. My head whipped roughly forward and the gray matter of my brain sloshed against sides of my skull while the car settled into place. Everything was foggy as my brain recovered form the lag caused by the collision. And then there was the dawning horror of realization. I’ve been in the third car accident of my life. Elapsed time? Four seconds.

In a daze I pulled off of Keyser Avenue and into the Garrity’s supermarket parking lot. The car was still running. I try to tell myself this was a good sign. No matter how bad it looks at least my little Pontiac Sunfire still functioned. As I stepped out of the car and walked towards the trunk, I saw my automotive assailant pull up beside me. It’s a mammoth of a blue SUV. I can’t tell what exact kind – I only registered its size and color.

I finally get to look at the back on the Sunfire…there’s no damage. Confusion prevented me from being happy. My brain told me I should she a crumpled bumper and the shattered red glass of broken taillights. Nothing. There was barely a scratch.

I hear her talk then. I turn around and the woman who tried to park her small blue tank in my trunk asked me if I’m all right. She’s a short brunette with an accomplished summer tan. Her pretty brown eyes have an “oh my god please don’t sue me look” as she holds her open hand at me to emphasize her anxiety. I reply there’s no damage and ask her if she’s okay too. She replies she’s okay and there’s no damage to her vehicle either.

No one wants to bother with the cops or deal with insurance agencies. Especially if you are lucky enough to escape an accident without having your ride totaled. We both go are separate ways. Pretty brunette girl goes on her way to cause yet another automotive catastrophe and I resumed my commute to work. I wondered why there was coffee spilt all over the place and I dimly remember seeing my black mug being launched skywards from the cup holder. Ah so that explains the mess. I make it to work with no further incident, but there’s a cold certainty in my mind.

God has determined how I will die. This was the third time I’ve been rear ended driving in the Scranton area. Each time the vehicles have grown progressively bigger. I assume the next time some diesel filled semi will plow into me – reducing whatever car I’m driving into a ruinous mass of steel. They’ll need the Jaws of Life to extract my corpse from the wreckage. Then again that’s only if the car doesn’t explode. I think that would be a bit more interesting at least.

Light a candle on my birthday.

-Z-