Welcome to Litsy!

I had to re-read this book before I watch the movie. I had read it years ago, and remembered liking it. It was just as good as I remembered. It‘s a very intense, politically driven story. I think that parts of it can be interpreted differently, and it did leave me with a few questions. It wasn‘t until the very end that Dorothy and her crew appeared in the story. I do like the way that the loose ends seemed to come together at the end.

This book was a good way to wrap up the series. I give it 3.5 pages out of 5. If you wanna hear my full review/rant here's a link to it:
https://youtu.be/7ClyWGuDmUw

This has been on my TBR for 15 years! I‘ve read a couple other titles by Maguire and they‘ve been hit or miss for me. Once I got into the writing style of this I was hooked! The gaps in years between sections left holes in the story that I desperately want answers to. I may have to give Elphaba a go when it‘s published this spring. Maybe the others in the series? I was hoping to just read this and be done but I after finishing, I want more 😆

It took me 4 months to finish. It is an affront to my beloved childhood books. I can understand Maguire's need to explain evilness in some people. But, I don't understand his theory. Is he saying revenge is the cause of evil or how they were raised? I didn't have any sympathy for Elphaba, except when she was a baby and a child. I have read Glinda was the villain, but she is barely in the last half. Glinda is hated because of the shoes. SHOES!!!

Half way through book 3 for the year. This is a re-read of WICKED. I read the original in 2001, before the musical and well before the movie based on the musical that was based on the book. I shall be adding the other books in this series to my reading list.

Am I the only sentient being in the universe who vehemently dislikes this book?

I first bought it, with glee, 20 years ago. I didn't get through Part 1 before I donated it to the county library.

When I heard about Broadway, in disbelief, I thought it won't last. Never went to see the show, but my devotion to Jonathan Bailey, I started reading again before I saw the movie. Loved the movie so I can't wait to see it on stage. WHAT AM I MISSING?⏬️

The story is reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. Both stories revolve around a girl who is lost in a fantasy world and meets all kinds of interesting folks along the way. It‘s a simple plot line that works so well.

The cast of characters really made this an enjoyable read. The Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion were all so lovable!

Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2025/01/07/review-the-wizard-of-oz/

I just couldn‘t. Made it to about 60% through. Did get better the further in, just didn‘t get interesting enough to stay with it. It was all over the place. Liked the political atmosphere more, and wished it went that way more than this odd form of attraction.
Movie was better. (What an odd thing to say)

😆 I needn‘t have felt bad about bailing on this one. It was essentially a flop for the bookclub. Only two actually managed to read/listen to the whole thing.

I always enjoy looking back at the books I‘ve read throughout the year. I didn‘t do a reading challenge in ‘24 but kept up with my monthly book club friends and hosted the book club at the senior center quarterly for work. I‘m looking forward to the books ‘25 has in-store for me. I‘ll continue the book clubs and add Litsy‘s #FoodandLit this year for something new! My current read is Wicked 🧙