Gregory MacGuire: Wicked

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Ten years old and it still address the political and religious climate of America today. Wicked harkens back slightly to Tolkien, with multiple creatures and their cultures (Gilkinese, the Munchkinlanders, the Quadlings, etc.) weaving together a complex and satisfying tale. Wicked tells the back-story of Glinda and her friends, the sister-witches of the east and the west. It’s fascinating, fun, and surprisingly moving — especially the strangely compelling characterization of Elphaba, wicked witch of the west. (Her name is comprised by MacGuire out of Frank Baum’s initials.) A little bonus — the reading group questions in the back are thought provoking and not too onerous.

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