Book Review: Modern tale of Oz is definitely worth visiting
It may be true that almost everybody knows the story of farm-girl-far-from-home Dorothy, her dog Toto, her motley crew of companions and the Wicked Witch of the West.
But look closer.
In his first novel for adults, published nearly a decade ago, Gregory Maguire revisited the myth begun by L. Frank Baum in 1899 (and subsequently embellished through several different novels and authors in ensuing decades). The novel, which sports the subtitle “The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” succeeds in breathing fresh life into a century old story that has captivated and bewitched generations.
One of the great mysteries of this book is why it has taken so long to spread across the country (Utah of course being one of the last stops). I suppose that, with the exception of fiction suggested by Oprah’s Book Club, treasured novels such as this one are only shared between close friends or whispered about around the company water cooler. But, since the release of the Broadway adaptation, “Wicked,” in 2003, the country has begun to take notice. Of course the musical’s 10 Tony Nominations didn’t hurt either.
With its unique blend of quasi-realistic fantasy, political discourse, religious ambiguity and sardonic humor, Maguire proposes a different take on the seemingly simple Wicked Witch of the West.
Centering on the green Munchkinlander Elphaba (a name created using Baum’s initials LFB), “Wicked” tells her story from the beginning.
Born with an unexplainable green-tinted skin, the story follows Elphaba through college and beyond weaving into her tale the lives of Galinda the Good Witch, the Wicked Witch of the East, and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, while explaining many questions left unanswered in the original tales, such as:
Where did the Witch come from?
How did she become Wicked?
How did the wizard become the supreme ruler of Oz?
What are the true stories behind the cowardly lion, the brainless scarecrow and the heartless tin man?
Why is the Witch so fixated on the ruby slippers?
What about the flying monkeys?
Spellbinding to a fault, Maguire’s fresh and seamless prose flows from page to page engaging the reader at every level. His wry and subtle narration includes timeless questions about the true nature of good and evil and brings to mind the equally timeless predisposition of humanity to judge books by their covers.
Before I continue, I must in good conscience point out that, though I agree with Oscar Wilde who said, “there is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well-written or badly written. That is all,” this novel might not be enjoyed equally by all folks living in this highly conservative valley.
The novel includes sexual situations and adult language, though most of the accounts are, in fact, tasteful and well-written.
Critically acclaimed across the nation, the novel deserves each of its spectacular reviews which bill it as “an instant classic,” “a punchy allegory,” “a staggering feat of wordcraft” and an “amazing novel.”
Whether you know the Baum’s books by heart, or you only have the faintest recollections of singing lions and melting witches, Maguire’s “Wicked” deserves a moment of your undivided attention.
Or, at the least, a closer look.
Matt Wright is a book critic and assistant features editor at the Statesman. Comments can be sent to him at
mattgo@cc.usu.edu