Wicked - Gregory Maguire

[BookJumper]

Who could resist the shinyness ?

[AbielleRose]

Exactly! *Ponders over whether to purchace a book or not* 'Hmm... I've never heard of it before and the story looks a wee bit predictable... but the cover is shiny so-- *puts into basket*

 

<---- And that is how Twilight became a bestseller.

 

Oops... Sorry, feeling a bit sassy...so...er...Wicked...Let's talk about that. Um Elphaba, she's pretty green. Do you think that's a metaphor for something?

[BookJumper]

Tee-hee .

 

In all seriousness though, one thing which annoys me (even though your cover of Wicked is without a shadow of a doubt much nicer than mine) is that Elphie is always portrayed as quite pretty, just green. I'm sure Maguire goes into some detail about her not being pretty in any conventional meaning of the term (I mean, she's got pointy teeth for goodness' sake!), so it vexes me that publishers feel the need to prettify her to appeal to those who want to identify with a heroine who's pretty, if a bit green. Seriously - when will it be acceptable for a female protagonist to be ugly yet awesome?!

 

/rant:lurker:

[Kylie]

That's true, Giulia. I believe Elphie lost her pointed teeth once she grew up a bit (to Frex's delight), but I get what you're saying.

 

I guess it's up to you to give us an ugly heroine!

[AbielleRose]

I totally agree. Its like girls/women today have to have a herione who is either beautiful and knows it or beautiful and extremely shy about it. When did beauty become such a nessecity, even in books?

 

Going off the book for 2 seconds (sorry!) When Idina Menzel played Elphaba on Broadway I had to admire her for the way she played her role. During 'Defying Gravity' Her eyes are wild and she looks as though she's breathing hard and almost snarling her words out. She's the only one I've see play that role (courtacy of You Tube ) with that sort of a feel. She could have easily made that part all dreamlike and beautiful as she's choosing to go against the wizard and go her own way, she could have taken on that air of personal strength and beauty. But no, she chose to play it how the character really is, full of anger at finding out what the wizard really is and defiance against him and 'good', I thought that was very admirable.

 

Oops... sorry... no more musical version ranting, pwomise.

[BookJumper]

I guess it's up to you to give us an ugly heroine!

I'm working on it, as it so happens !

[AbielleRose]

*Gasp!* Is it who I think it is or haven't I met her yet? (PM, pwease!)

[Kylie]

I'm working on it, as it so happens !

 

I should have known!

[Ooshie]

Frankie, I think the problem you may have had is that the novel is only a part of a much grander vision (the Wicked Years series); I read Son of a Witch straight after finishing Wicked and the smallest things in Wicked are expanded in SOAW until you suddenly understand their significance. SOAW doesn't explain everything either, but then that's what A Lion Among Men is for, surely I would heartily recommend SOAW, by the way, I loved it even more than its predecessor.

 

I had enjoyed Wicked, but not enough to be sure I really wanted to read the sequels - I don't think I can resist now, though!

[BookJumper]

Glad to have inspired you Ooshie do let us know your thoughts when you do read the sequels!

[AbielleRose]

I'm glad to hear you might be trying the sequels, Ooshie! It'll be very interesting to see where Maguire takes this series

[Lilywhite]

I read Wicked over a year ago and went to see it on Stage this month. I love it, both versions. I was awestruck watching it come to life on stage.

 

I have most of Maguires other works as well (in the pretty hardback versions ) and I have to say, he's pretty consistent with his works.