🕯️ Supernatural

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

✍️ Gregory Maguire
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$34.00
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A dark reimagining of the Wicked Witch's life and times in Oz.

This novel provides a fresh perspective on the land of Oz and its inhabitants. Maguire examines the Wizard and the Emerald City through a green lens rather than a rosier one. The story focuses on the much maligned witch, offering a new understanding of her actions and motivations. It connects to the broader cultural phenomenon that inspired a major stage production. The text is organized to reveal the truth behind the feared reputation of this character.

Key Themes
Wicked Witch Land of Oz Emerald City
Literary Context

Published in 2008 by William Morrow, this large print edition follows its initial success as a bestseller. It gained significant fame as the source material for the smash hit Broadway musical, cementing its place in modern pop culture and literary discourse.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Toni Morrison's Beloved · Neil Gaiman's Sandman · Angela Carter's Nights at the Circus
🕯️
Supernatural
🏛 William Morrow Large Print 📅 2008 📖 416 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780061649424
📚 This Book in Collections

📝 Description: Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Gregory Maguire reimagines the origins of a notorious literary figure in this New York Times bestseller. The narrative shifts the perspective on Oz, its Wizard, and the Emerald City through a darker lens. This work serves as the basis for the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that captivated audiences worldwide. Maguire presents a radical evaluation of the Wicked Witch of the West. He challenges the traditional view of her character by suggesting she was not nearly as wicked as readers imagined. The text invites those interested in gothic and supernatural fiction to reconsider a classic antagonist. It suits fans of alternative history and dark fantasy who enjoy subverting familiar tales. Readers seeking straightforward horror or simple retellings may find this complex narrative less appealing. The book appeals to those who appreciate inventive storytelling that questions established myths. Maguire’s background as a novelist informs the depth of this reinterpretation. The large print edition offers accessibility for all readers interested in this groundbreaking work.

💎 Our verdict on Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Maguire presents a radical evaluation of the Wicked Witch of the West, challenging traditional views by revealing the truth behind her feared reputation. The narrative shifts the perspective on Oz through a darker lens, examining the Wizard and Emerald City with a green rather than rosier view. This work serves as the basis for a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that captivated audiences worldwide. It appeals to those who appreciate inventive storytelling that questions established myths. While readers seeking straightforward horror may find it less appealing, fans of dark fantasy will enjoy this groundbreaking reinterpretation. The large print edition ensures accessibility for all interested in this complex narrative and its exploration of gothic themes.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate inventive storytelling that questions established myths will find profound value in this radical evaluation of a notorious literary figure. Maguire challenges the traditional view of the Wicked Witch, suggesting she was not nearly as wicked as imagined. This work is ideal for those interested in gothic and supernatural fiction who wish to reconsider a classic antagonist through a darker lens. The narrative shifts perspective on Oz and its Wizard, offering a fresh understanding of her actions and motivations. It suits fans of alternative history and dark fantasy who enjoy subverting familiar tales. By connecting to the broader cultural phenomenon that inspired a major stage production, it provides depth for those seeking complex narratives over straightforward horror or simple retellings.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Maguire presents a radical evaluation of the Wicked Witch of the West, challenging traditional views by revealing the truth behind her feared reputation. The narrative shifts the perspective on Oz through a darker lens, examining the Wizard and Emerald City with a green rather than rosier view. This work serves as the basis for a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that captivated audiences worldwide. It appeals to those who appreciate inventive storytelling that questions established myths. While readers seeking straightforward horror may find it less appealing, fans of dark fantasy will enjoy this groundbreaking reinterpretation. The large print edition ensures accessibility for all interested in this complex narrative and its exploration of gothic themes.

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