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

Author:
Gregory Maguire
Read by:
John McDonough
Read Read Own Own

Unabridged Audiobook

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Ratings
Book
351
Narrator
61
Release Date
November 16, 2005
Duration
19 hours 40 minutes
Summary
The New York Times bestseller that inspired the Tony-winning hit musical and major motion picture

OVER 6 MILLION COPIES SOLD

Years before Dorothy and her dog crash-land, another little girl makes her presence known in Oz. This girl, Elphaba, is born with emerald-green skin—no easy burden in a land as mean and poor as Oz, where superstition and magic are not strong enough to explain or overcome
the natural disasters of flood and famine. Still, Elphaba is smart, and not long after entering Shiz University, she becomes a member of a charmed circle of Oz's most promising young citizens.

But Elphaba's Oz is no utopia. The Wizard's secret police are everywhere.

Animals—those creatures with voices, souls, and minds—are threatened with exile. Young Elphaba, green and wild and misunderstood, is determined to protect the Animals—even if it means combating the mysterious Wizard, even if it means risking her single chance at romance.
Ever wiser in guilt and sorrow, she can find herself grateful when the world declares her a witch. And she can even make herself glad for that young girl from Kansas.

'An astonishing achievement.'—Philip Pullman
Reviews
Profile Avatar Chasi D. Mar 2020

I think alot of people who don't like this book expected more of an easier read since it is, after all, more of a childrens story in modern day. However, it was a deeply fascinating story that has alot of similarity to the world today, if you face it from that context. I absolutely loved Elphaba and even saw many of my own character traits in her (or in other women I know) so she's very easy to love. Her story does end abruptly but she dies abruptly....that's how life works when you die young...your story has, for all intents and purposes, stop.

Profile Avatar Stacie Bray Mar 2017

The narrator was amazing! Really brought the book to life!!

Profile Avatar Laurie K. Nov 2021

This is a spectacular story I will listed to a second time!

Profile Avatar Anonymous Sep 2018

a waste of time and effort to tolerate this book. just terrible.

Profile Avatar Jennifer H. Oct 2022

One of my all time favorites. So unexpected as he twists and turns the classic childhood favorite into a brilliant, unique perspective from the so called wicked witch.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Oct 2019

the book was hard to get immersed into. found it very hard to focus on what was happening.

The book was decent and the narration was good. I appreciated the imagery painted by the author. It was a very clear throwback to the OZ imagery that we are all familiar with. The storyline and plot was good. But I don't feel that the question the author clearly was exploring; are we born evil or is it developed, was never really answered. I have only read this book in the series, so I'm no expert. I just don't think I'll be reading this one again.

Profile Avatar Philip H. Apr 2025

I enjoyed this book, and the story is very different from the play and movie of the same name. Warning to parents that this book is R-rated with many sexual scenes and descriptions not appropriate for children. This story is darker in tone and Elphaba's experiences are different than the movie, so listeners must be open-minded to the original plot by this author. There are many surprises in the story, either not depicted in the movie or play, or not yet shown (only Part 1 of the movie has been shown), which make this story special.

Profile Avatar Chantelle Apr 2025

this book is so amazing #loveit

Profile Avatar Anonymous Feb 2025

It's just painful

Profile Avatar Christin T. Dec 2024

Would probably get a lot of flack for this review, but I just couldn’t get into the book. I tried reading this in middle school and reading it now as an adult I understand why I lost interest. I’m sure I didn’t understand most of what was being said or insinuated because I was shocked at a lot of it this go round.

Profile Avatar Lia Suzanne W. Dec 2024

I felt like there was a lot of unnecessary content that just served to draw out this extremely long book. (Usually a bonus for me…) The narrator was good but I would’ve preferred a feminine voice to bring the characters to life. And most of the unexpected sexual situations were just freaking weird! (Not to put too fine a point on it.) I appreciate the parallels to today’s racial issues, & am glad to see it addressed in a global way. But I’m not really the target audience for this book or the movie, which I also couldn’t wait to see. My unfortunate reaction to it: “Meh.”

Profile Avatar Marty Nov 2024

Hard to follow, a difficult read. However, it is worth rewinding to get back on track. Intriguing!

Profile Avatar Amanda D. Nov 2024

This book is a hard read so tremendous job to the narrator! The book itself is phenomenal! I’m a huge fan of the original series so this just adds to it! There’s always two sides to every story and this just proves it!

Really well done by the reader. A very interesting story that gives humanity to a character much maligned by the movie.

Profile Avatar Byron F. Aug 2019

Slow and boring book not what I expected at all

Profile Avatar Amanda B. Aug 2019

The author paints a vivid picture of land and characters and the narrator brings them to life. I enjoyed listening.

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

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

Author: Gregory Maguire
Read by: John McDonough
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