Wicked: Memorias de una bruja mala

I truly despised this book.

Perhaps it was due to the excessive anticipation generated by all the hype, or maybe because I thought the original concept was simply brilliant.

Regardless of the reason, the end result was that I absolutely loathed it.

This is a book that makes one want to sit down and rewrite it oneself, as it is a great shame that such a wonderful idea was so poorly executed.

I adored the idea of delving into the witches and their past, and seeing them from a different perspective.

I also loved the concept of the politics in the various realms of OZ.

There was an abundance of source material that could have been interpreted in numerous ways.

However, the biggest issue I had was with the timeline.

It would begin with the witches' childhood and go into great detail, with chapters dedicated to the family, their daily lives, and the family dynamic.

And then, suddenly, the author would jump forward in time.

The explanation of what occurred during that gap was only briefly described, if at all.

It was extremely jarring.

I also felt that the characters were well-developed during those initial segments, but after the time jump, they seemed almost like different characters.

Or perhaps a variation of the characters we had come to know.

If there were life-altering events during the gap that changed the characters' personalities, the author couldn't just skip over it!

Don't spend so much time making the reader get to know the characters and then change them without showing how and why!

I also disliked the way the author would spend an inordinate amount of time describing certain places, characters, or situations, leading the reader to believe that they would be significant and play a role in the main story.

But no, that wasn't the case.

This left me feeling completely unsatisfied.

Imagine an entire chapter dedicated to a particular character or group of people, only for them to disappear from the story entirely.

Where did they go? What happened to them? Why spend so much time on them if they were going to lead nowhere?

Furthermore, after a while, it became evident that the author had a specific agenda, and he spent an excessive amount of time forcing the characters and the plot to fit that agenda.

This disrupted the flow of the story and made it feel forced.

I often found myself thinking that the characters wouldn't have acted in the way the author described, given their own characteristics.

I don't appreciate being preached to.

If the author wanted to write a political book with obvious leanings, then he should have done so.

But don't present it in this manner.

This book had the potential to be a great vehicle for making statements on various topics, such as animal rights, our perception of "others", our treatment of those who are different from us, and a broader understanding of good and evil as opposed to the often simplistic labels we assign.

However, it didn't have to be so one-sided and influenced by the author's personal beliefs.

So many of these concepts were introduced and then abandoned.

Or they were discussed in a long, talky soliloquy without any real opposing view or anything to balance it out.

It was as if the author was determined to present every possible political view he had and force it into the story, regardless of whether it fit or not.

But as he was writing and trying to create a story rather than an editorial opinion piece, he lost sight of what he was trying to say or the point he was trying to make.

So many themes and ideas were a complete mess.

They were either not fully explained, over-explained, too vague and complicated to understand, or, more often than not, completely forgotten.

I would have preferred some sort of resolution, even if it was in line with the author's opinions, rather than the nothing that he often offered.

The book also felt smug and superior, as if the author was referencing things just to sound smart or prove that he was informed.

It was like a college student mentioning Nietzsche in a conversation, not because they really wanted to discuss the ideas, but because it made them sound intelligent and above such things as keggers.

I simply didn't like anything about this book.

I persevered until the end, hoping that perhaps things would change or come together in an unexpected way.

But alas, that wasn't the case.

I can only assume that its popularity was due to the interesting concept of the book, the fear of admitting that one didn't understand it, or the Broadway play, which I've heard is excellent and might explain the book's popularity.

(People loved the musical and bought the book thinking they would like it too.)

In any case, I would not recommend this book to anyone.

**"A Mixed Bag: My Thoughts on 'Wicked' by Gregory Maguire"**

I have just finished reading "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire, and I must say it was a rather frustrating experience. The premise of the book, which involves nonhuman characters and a reimagining of the Oz story, was extremely promising. However, the execution left a lot to be desired.

The book started off slow and academic, with pages and pages of description that made it difficult for me to get into the story. I found myself constantly falling asleep while reading, which is never a good sign. The plot, or lack thereof, was also a major issue. There was no real action or intrigue, just a lot of political plotting that made no sense to me.

On the plus side, I really loved the character of Elphaba. She was strong, intelligent, and unwavering in her beliefs. Her romance with Fiyero was also very well done, and the emotions and feelings that came with that relationship were my favorite part of the novel. Some of the supporting characters, such as Fiyero and Boq, were also interesting and dynamic.

Despite these亮点, the book as a whole was a disappointment. There were moments of sheer brilliance, such as the satire and political and social commentary, but these were often overshadowed by the boring writing and lack of imagination. The world-building was also rather bizarre, and I found myself more confused than anything else.

All in all, "Wicked" was a mixed bag for me. It had its moments, but it also had a lot of flaws. I'm hoping that "Son of a Witch," the sequel to this book, will be better. I've heard good things about it from several friends, so I'm willing to give it a shot.

Read a book with nonhuman characters.

2.5 stars



  

"'Listen to me, sister,' she said. 'Remember this: Nothing is written in the stars. Not these stars, nor any others. No one controls your destiny.'"
  

I have never ever been more frustrated while reading a book. As most of you know from my continuous status updates describing my turmoil at my insistence that I NEVER EVER DNF anything, I had a really hard time getting into this one. It was boring and academic, and I would constantly find myself falling asleep while reading. Excuse me, Mr. Maguire, but when you want to market your book as fantasy, please give your book a plot. A real plot involving action and intrigue and drama. Not pages and pages and pages of description of political plots that make absolutely no sense. I wanted to like this book so much. SO MUCH. But it's such a case of an amazing premise being swallowed whole by an author's ambition and preoccupation with style.





On the plus side, I really loved the character of Elphaba. She was strong and intelligent and never strayed from her values and beliefs. Her romance with Fiyero was very deep and realistically portrayed, and the emotions and feelings that tied into that relationship were my favorite part of the novel. And that's saying something because of me and my you know, cold black cynical heart. And the romantic subplot only lasted for maybe 40-50 pages of the entire novel but made the most lasting impression on me. Some of the supporting characters, such as Fiyero and Boq were interesting and dynamic enough also, but for the most part, the other characters were pretty flat.



God, did I say how disappointing this novel was? Because there were moments of sheer brilliance within these pages, but most of the time I was just so effing bored. When Maguire was on, he was very on. And the satire and political and social commentary was so good and interesting and thought-provoking. Things like this:


  

"The more civilized we become, the more horrendous our entertainments."
  

And


  

"'The real thing about evil,' said the Witch at the doorway, 'isn't any of what you said. You figure out one side of it--the human side, say--and the eternal side goes into shadow. Or, vice-versa. It's like the old saw: What does a dragon in its shell look like? Well no one can ever tell, for as soon as you break the shell to see, the dragon is no longer in its shell. The real disaster of this inquiry is that it is the nature of evil to be secret.'"
  

But every single time I caught some brilliance here, it was countered by boring writing, lack of imagination, and bizarre world-building. I even read the original tale in order to get an idea of the original world this novel was built on, and I became even more confused by it. I am hoping that a read of Baum's other Oz tales may shed some more light on his rendering of Oz. I certainly hope so. There were people and events mentioned in this book that were never explained and that frustrated the hell out of me. If they aren't important to the story, WHY HAVE THEM TAKE UP SPACE? UGH!



And seriously? The conflict between the witch and Dorothy was only because Glinda gave Dorothy the shoes that Elphaba wanted? And Elphaba only wanted them because her father made them and they were promised to her. Seriously??? Well, I have read this one and the original, and I loved Elphaba more than I ever loved Dorothy so, I kinda think that Dorothy's a bitch now. Take that, Judy Garland! You shoulda just given her the damn shoes.





All in all, this book frustrated me and confused me and gave me a headache, but it wasn't all bad. There was some juicy meat, but Maguire's dry style of writing made it hard to get to. I have heard from several friends both on here and in real life that Son of a Witch is much much better than this one, so I think I will give it a shot at some point.



And we all know what happens to the Wicked Witch, so the ending is not a spoiler, but I was upset nonetheless. Why do we have to hate on people who are different? Who stand up for themselves and for those who can't fight? Why do we love the beautiful and hate the ugly? Elphaba, you get on with your bad green self. You made this girl love you.

Reviewed by K. Osborn Sullivan for TeensReadToo.com

Have you ever read a popular book and found yourself wondering why it achieved such popularity? That's precisely the feeling I had as I made my way through WICKED. In fact, that's not entirely accurate. I do know why it's a New York Times Bestseller. Part of it stems from the very reason I initially picked up the book. I anticipated a light, fairy tale-like narrative. After all, it's based on a children's book and there's a Broadway musical about it. Sounds like it should be enjoyable, right? Well, not quite. I have the sense that many people thought as I did and purchased WICKED in search of an easy-to-read prelude to THE WIZARD OF OZ. I wonder how many of them completed the book once they discovered the truth?

Although, to be fair, WICKED doubtless owes some of its popularity to the fact that it's a well-written, literary novel that can be appreciated by well-read, literary individuals. Unfortunately, I'm really not one of those. Giving me a piece of profound, meaningful literature is like presenting a copy of Hemingway's THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA to a manatee. In other words, I was disappointed. My disappointment was partly with the book for not meeting my expectations and partly with myself for not being able to fully appreciate a quality literary effort.

In case you've been living in a hollowed-out tree for the past couple of years and haven't heard about the play, WICKED is the story of the Wicked Witch of the West and how she became who she is. The book delves far deeper into the witch's life and times than any musical could in just two hours. In the book version of WICKED, readers are introduced to the witch, whose real name is Elphaba, when she is first born. She's green and has dangerous, pointy teeth. Needless to say, she's not very popular with the other children. Even her parents are somewhat uncertain about her.

As the story unfolds, we see Elphaba at college. She befriends a number of fellow students, some of whom are more accepting of the strange green girl while others are less so. It's not just her skin color that sets her apart, though. Elphaba thinks and acts differently from other people. And she has this aversion to water.... Well, we all know how that turns out for her.

The book is an interesting departure from the Oz books, including details such as why the Cowardly Lion can talk and the fact that everyone in Oz thought Dorothy's dog, Toto, was the most irritating thing to ever draw breath. However, I wish I could have liked some of the characters. No one was particularly likable, as far as I was concerned. Even Elphaba, who readers should have felt some sympathy for, seemed odd to me, and I never understood her motivation for anything she did. In other words, I could have overlooked the fact that she was green, but it really bothered me that she didn't act normally. Also, a word of caution: Even though these are essentially fairy tale characters, this book treats them like adults, complete with sex, swearing, and the occasional murder. Younger readers should stay away, and older readers should be aware of what they're getting into.

In general, I recommend this book for OLDER readers who are die-hard fans of the Oz books or the Wicked play and渴望 to explore deeper. According to my husband, who is capable of appreciating fine literature, it also has literary merit. But for those of us who want to preserve our memories of the Oz stories as sweet as the old Judy Garland film was, those readers might want to approach WICKED with caution.

Wicked Good.


The background story of the Wicked Witch of the West is truly captivating. She is one of the main antagonists in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and this account delves into her life before she was slain by Dorothy. We explore her relationship with her vicious dog and her self-righteous friends. But what made her so 'wicked'? What were her true motives? And how did she become the way she was?


This retelling is a wonderful surprise and one of the best used books I've ever purchased. Through the skillful penmanship of Gregory Maguire, we gain a detailed understanding of the fantastical land of Oz, its society, and the backstories of many key figures. There was a great deal of turmoil in the world of Oz before Dorothy's arrival. The Wicked Witch of the West, beneath her simple 'evil' exterior, is a deeply flawed and human character with complex motivations. Many monsters are not born but made through pain.


It's been ages since I read this, but I'm still very much looking forward to reading the sequels and completing the entire series. I came close to starting 'Son of a Witch' several times, but unfortunately, life got in the way. Sigh. But there's still time! I also highly recommend reading the original Oz series by Frank Baum and watching the animated series from 1986.


*** Wicked (the musical) is still on my to-do list. Yuck! Musicals! Maybe, someday, when I'm old and deaf.





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\n  PERSONAL NOTE\n:
[1995] [406p] [Fantasy] [3.5] [Recommendable] [Fiyero]
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Malvada Buena.


The story behind the Wicked Witch of the West, one of the main antagonists in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, is explored here. Before she was assassinated by that goody two shoes Dorothy, along with her rabid dog and her supposed gang of moralistic friends, we wonder: why was she so'malvada'? What was her true motivation? And what made her who she is?


This recreation is a wonderful surprise and one of the best used books I've ever bought. Through the skillful penmanship of Gregory Maguire, we get to know in great detail the history of the fantastical land of Oz, how its society functioned, and the backstory of many of the key figures that later became the foundation of our beloved and classic childhood book of Oz. There was a great deal of turmoil happening throughout the world of Oz before Dorothy arrived. Also, there was a lot going on behind the simple 'evil' façade of the Wicked Witch of the West, a deeply flawed but human character with complex motivations. Many monsters are not simply born, but made through pain.


This was ages ago, but I still have a strong desire to read the sequels and complete the series. I was very close to starting 'Hijo de la Bruja' many times before, but unfortunately, life intervened. Oh well. But there's still time! It's also a must to read the original Oz series by Frank Baum and watch the animated series (1986).


*** Wicked (the musical) remains to be done. Ugh! A musical! Maybe, someday, when I'm old and deaf.





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\n  NOTA PERSONAL\n:
[1995] [406p] [Fantasía] [3.5] [Recomendable] [Fiyero]
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Puff que tostón.

It's a rather strange and perhaps not so well-known phrase. But fortunately, I can now remove it from my reading list.

Maybe it was something that caught my attention for a moment, but now that I've decided to move on, it's no longer relevant.

It's like a small detour on my reading journey that I've now completed.

As I look ahead, there are many other interesting and important things to explore and learn from.

I'm excited to see what new adventures and discoveries await me in the world of books and knowledge.

And who knows, maybe one day, I'll come across something even more奇特 and unexpected than "Puff que tostón".

But for now, I'm content to leave it behind and focus on the next chapter of my reading life.

This was a disjointed read. It had a lot of good points that dealt with social issues and complex morals.

At the start, it was a refreshing and unique version from the main Wizard of Oz series. It took on a much more adult tone, dealing with the hardships of the land and the belief system of its residents.

I liked seeing how the bear was usable of enchained. But around the halfway point, the time gap became larger, and the major plot points seemed to be left partially unfulfilled. This made things feel disjointed and more difficult to care about the plot and its characters. Since there were so many bursts of time when the characters would have changed their position and life entirely, it almost made me feel like there were new characters.

I'm definitely glad I read this one, but I don't think I'll want to continue on with the series or reread this one anytime soon. It had its moments of interest, but the disjointed nature ultimately detracted from the overall experience.

Let me preface this review by saying that this is my favorite book of all time. I truly don't know where to start my review of Wicked.

Should I begin with the remarkable way in which Mr. Maguire has taken our whimsical childhood concept of Oz and transformed it magnificently into a complex and fully realized world? A world filled with intrigue, politics, sprawling cities, slums, wars, racial divides, and social prejudices.

Or perhaps I should start with the character of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch - my all-time favorite character in all of literature. She is a conflicted, enigmatic woman, written in such a brilliant and unique way that it's a pity more authors don't write their female characters like this.

I really don't know. This book may not be for everyone, and it's not perfect - Maguire's pacing can be a bit off at times. But then again, what book is flawless?

First and foremost, Maguire is a magnificent wordsmith. While some may criticize his wordiness and grandiose verbiage as being a bit kitsch and overly lavish, I personally adore it. To write a story in this style and still keep it engaging and exciting is a true display of mastery.

Maguire's Oz is a world of wonder and splendor, yet also a world of horrific injustice and darkness - much like the world we live in.

What Maguire has achieved with the character of Elphaba in Wicked is pure magic on paper. Wicked is essentially a biopic of the Witch, following her from birth until the famous and familiar climax of her life.

Surrounding Elphaba are a host of new and familiar characters. The most recognizable is, of course, Glinda the Good Witch, who meets Elphaba in an all-girls school they both attend.

Elphaba's character is a true feat of brilliance by Maguire. He could have taken the easy way out and made her a long-lashed and charming damsel, but instead, he chose to make her a green-skinned monster, an outcast from mainstream society in Oz.

Her friendships and lovers are few and far between. Her birth itself is a painful and ugly event - the infant Elphaba bites the finger off a midwife in a state of violent fear and terror.

The adult Elphaba is not the scheming villain she appears to be in the original book and film. Here, she is an uncertain young woman, caught up in an underground resistance against the imperialist forces of Oz as they persecute the talking animal folk.

The Wicked Witch is not the vindictive despot she was painted as from Dorothy's point of view. Instead, she is a desperate rebel against the Wizard and the Emerald City. Elphaba engages in acts of sedition, rebellion, and even terrorism against the corrupt reign of the Wizard.

Despite her awkwardness and reclusive habits, she becomes a feminine hero figure for the downtrodden, the weak, and the persecuted of Oz.

You will laugh with Elphaba, cry with her, and feel fury with her at injustice. You will want to scream and hurl the book across the room at the arrogant, cowardly Wizard.

Your heart will leap with the dreams of youth as the young Elphaba meets her lifetime friends, and you will feel the depths of despair with her as her extremist stance against the Wizard alienates her from the world of Oz and even her friends.

Your heart, like hers, will feel the deep pangs of love and the final, wrenching pain of betrayal.

In short, Wicked is literary magic, and the world Maguire has crafted will be forever etched in my mind.

As will the lasting image of a young, green-skinned woman, born an ungainly monster and treated as such, but all she wanted in the end was justice and some form of peace in the cruel world she was thrust into.

Wicked doesn't tell us what evil is. Instead, it asks us to consider our world, our preconceptions, and that those we might be tempted to disregard and trample underfoot could actually be hiding the greatest secrets of all.

Pure magic.

As a die-hard Wicked fan for over a decade, it truly feels like a crime that I have yet to read the book. I am well aware that it is quite distinct from the musical, but that doesn't matter to me in the slightest. In fact, I am over the moon with excitement to finally be delving into this literary masterpiece.

I have long been captivated by the story of Elphaba and Glinda, their complex relationship, and the magical world of Oz. The musical has left an indelible mark on my heart, and I can't wait to explore the original source material and discover all the hidden details and nuances that the stage production may not have been able to fully convey.

I anticipate that reading the book will deepen my understanding and appreciation of this beloved tale, and I am ready to embark on this new adventure with open arms and a voracious appetite for all things Wicked.