*REVIEW OF WICKED*

After having seen the musical adaptation countless times, I felt it was about time I delved into the original text before the movie's release. I was truly shocked that I hadn't read it earlier.

However, my intuition was spot-on in avoiding this book for such a long time. Because what on earth was this jumbled mess?!

The story was painfully dull, horribly sexist, and an absolute chore to get through. It's easy to see why the musical only took a loose inspiration from this source. I couldn't connect with anything - not the characters, the setting, the story, or the dialogue. Absolutely nothing.

I purchased the double-feature edition that includes the sequel, Son of a Witch, but it's safe to say that I don't envision myself reading it anytime soon. This book was a major disappointment and failed to capture my interest or imagination in any way.

Sequel to Wicked with an Interview with the Author

The author of the sequel to Wicked has revealed some interesting insights. He said that this new work is about a man who comes to the realization that he must be an active part of society. He also hinted that he may pen a sequel to this story. Additionally, he disclosed that after learning about the Abu Graib incident, he was inspired to write a story set in a prison.

Some of the good quotes from his work include: "Dragons don't kill people; people kill people." This thought-provoking statement makes us reflect on the true nature of violence and aggression. Another quote, "This is the moment to foment," implies that there are times when we need to stir things up and bring about change. And "Piety is the new political aphrodesiac" challenges our perception of how religion and politics interact in today's world.

Overall, the author's new work seems to be filled with depth and complexity, and we can't wait to see what he has in store for us in the sequel.

I really liked "Wicked" until the last section.

In that part, Elphaba became completely ineffective. She moped away 7 years of her life and simply gave up her campaign against the Wizard.

I did enjoy the story of Elphaba's early years, as well as that of Nessa, Glinda, and Shiz.

I found both books to be a bit confusing at times. It kind of felt like a few things were lacking or not well-explained.

But perhaps it was just meant to leave a bit of mystery in the world of Oz.

I liked the dark and vivid writing, but I thought it got a bit excessive and unnecessary at times.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable read, albeit slightly disappointing.

It had its strengths in the early storylines and the unique way of presenting the world of Oz, but the conclusion left something to be desired.

Nevertheless, it was still a book that held my interest and made me think about the characters and their choices.

Maybe on a second reading, I'll be able to pick up on some of the details that I missed the first time around.

Despite its flaws, "Wicked" is definitely a book that stands out and offers a different perspective on the well-known story of Oz.

It took me five weeks to read three quarters of this compilation.

At first, I was really into it. The first part, the tale of Wicked, was truly captivating. It had an intriguing storyline, a great pacing that kept me on the edge of my seat, and made me eager to turn the page and keep reading.

However, when I got to the second half, Son of a Witch, things took a turn for the worse. The concept was still good, but the pacing was just horrible. It seemed to wander off on irrelevant tangents for a chapter or two at a time, which really disrupted the flow of the story.

I tried to push through, but eventually, I had to tap out. I was forcing myself to read it and not enjoying it anymore.

In conclusion, Wicked was an awesome read, but Son of a Witch just didn't live up to my expectations.

Save yourself the time and pain. There are so many other wonderful things to do with your precious moments. Instead of wasting time on this subpar item that is described as being worse than toilet paper, you could choose to read something else. There are countless great books, articles, and stories out there waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. Or, you could catch a Broadway show. The energy, talent, and spectacle of a Broadway production are truly something to behold. It's a million times better than this thing that is being criticized. So, don't settle for less. Take the opportunity to explore other options and have a much more fulfilling and enjoyable experience.

Wicked was truly an outstanding piece of work.

It had the power to make you completely reevaluate all of your preconceived notions about what it means to be "wicked".

The story was so engaging and thought-provoking that it left a lasting impression on me.

Now, I'm currently engrossed in reading Son of a Witch.

I'm excited to see how this continuation of the story unfolds and what new perspectives it will offer.

I have a feeling that it will be just as captivating as Wicked was.

I can't wait to delve deeper into this magical world and discover more about the characters and their adventures.

I'm sure it will be a great read and I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts on it once I'm done.

This is two distinct books. Therefore, I am pausing after reading "Wicked" to share some thoughts and then will return after reading something else.

This book was given to me as a gift (I think, perhaps I bought it; it has been on the shelf for quite some time) after seeing the play. I am glad to have this long interval between the two renditions of the story. The novel, as novels often do, delves more deeply into the moral ambiguity of the story than the play. The idea is not as straightforward as just presenting "another side of the story" and making the Witch a sympathetic character. It explores all the shades of gray between black and white, or, if you'll excuse the awful pun, all the shades of green between yellow and blue.

What I truly liked about "Wicked" is that the dialogue between Good and Evil is not the only aspect at play. All the classic UD Humanities Based Themes are in full swing. Forgiveness and Guilt, Family and Independence, Responsibility and Selfishness all battle within the central character of Elphaba. I actually found the role of Autonomy and Fate to be the most captivating.

It's worth reading if you can obtain it easily, but let's be honest, seeing the play is more entertaining.

Thoughts on "Son of a Witch":

I completed this by listening to it during a car trip to a wrestling camp. There were four high school students in the car with me while I listened. It was a better experience than I had anticipated.

The sequel is like most reruns, with more plot and less intrusive meditation. Certainly enjoyable, perhaps even more so than "Wicked," even if it isn't better (which it isn't).

Currently, I am reading "Wicked" in between some other better books.

To be honest, it hasn't managed to fully capture my attention just yet. However, it should be noted that Elpha, the main character, hasn't grown up yet either.

I am willing to give this book a chance despite its rather slow start. I believe that there might be more interesting developments and character growth as the story progresses.

Nevertheless, I'm not devoting all of my reading time to it. I have other books that I am also interested in and want to explore.

But I'll continue to read "Wicked" and see if it can eventually win me over with its unique plot and characters.

Wicked was indeed a great work, but it is in Son of a Witch that Maguire truly takes his writing to a whole new level.

In this novel, the exploration of Liir's character is both profound and captivating. We get to see his growth and transformation as he navigates through a world filled with challenges and uncertainties.

What really stood out to me, however, was the sense of hope that is inherent in each of our daily actions, no matter how small. Maguire beautifully portrays how even the tiniest of deeds can have a significant impact and bring about positive change.

While I gave Wicked a score of 3, Son of a Witch truly deserves a 5. When averaged out, it comes to a solid 4. This just goes to show the remarkable talent and skill that Maguire possesses as a writer.

Love! Love! Love these two books!

I have read "Wicked" several times, and I am going to read "Son of a Witch" again.

From now on, I will probably read both of these books at least once a year.

These two books have a unique charm that attracts me deeply. The storylines are engaging and full of surprises, and the characters are vivid and real.

Reading these books is like embarking on a magical journey, where I can explore different worlds and experience different emotions.

I highly recommend these two books to all book lovers. You will not be disappointed!

Finished it...finally.

This was one of those (few) books where the movie was better. I gave it 1 star because I can't give it zero and still consider it a rating.

This book had so much potential. It could have been a great literary work, exploring deep themes and engaging the reader's mind. However, it turned out to be pretty much a vehicle for political ramblings and b%bs.

There wasn't a single section that went by without b%bs being mentioned. I understand that an occasional flesh flash can be realistic and might even be used to pique the reader's interest. But the author seemed to have a regular shuttle to t!tty city, and it became distractingly mundane.

I am keeping the book only because it has a pretty cover and gold edging. I may use it for book page art or as a doorstop. Besides, I would hate for someone else to accidentally read it and have to endure the same disappointment that I did.

Overall, this book was a major letdown, and I would not recommend it to anyone.

The original article: This is a simple sentence. It can be rewritten and expanded.

Expanded article:
This is a rather simple sentence.

It holds the potential to be rewritten and expanded in a variety of ways.

One could add more details, perhaps describe the context in which the sentence is being used.

Maybe introduce some related ideas or concepts that would enhance the overall meaning and depth of the sentence.

By doing so, the sentence can be transformed into a more engaging and informative piece of text.

It becomes not just a simple statement, but something that can capture the reader's attention and make them think.

So, go ahead and read it like you own it, and see how you can make it your own through the process of rewriting and expanding.