Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Audiobook)

Synopsis: Heralded as an instant classic of fantasy literature, Maguire has written a wonderfully imaginative retelling of The Wizard of Oz told from the Wicked Witch's point of view. More than just a fairy tale for adults, Wicked is a meditation on the nature of good and evil. Elphaba is born with green skin, a precocious mind, and a talent for magic. An outcast throughout her childhood in Munchkinland, she finally begins to feel as though she fits in when she enters the University in the Emerald City. While she hones her skills, she discovers that Oz isn't the Utopia it seems. She sets out to protect its unwanted creatures, becoming known as the Wicked Witch along the way. Narrator John McDonough draws you in to Maguire's magical world of witches and talking animals, making it possible to believe in a land somewhere over the rainbow.

Review: I loved it!! I had two concerns at the beginning, one was that it was read by a man and I wasn't sure how well that would work, and two I have never read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz or any of it's sequels, my only point of reference was the film and for the first couple of chapters I found it hard to shake the image of Margaret Hamilton's cackling Wicked Witch of the West from my mind. The reading turned out to be a triumph, there's something about John McDonough's voice that suits fantasy novels perfectly, and despite the fact that he had more female voices to do than male, he was marvellous. I got so swept up with the story that it only took a few chapters to rid myself of Margaret's image, she returned again near the end as Elphaba grew into her reputation but that was ok, it seemed fitting.

It's such an entertaining story, I absolutely loved all the descriptions of Oz, it's characters, places, politics, religions and social history etc. It is every bit as real as Middle Earth. Elphaba Thropp, or Elphie as we learn to call her (amongst a hundred other names) was unfortunately born green. It may have worked for Kermit and Shrek but, coupled with some rather vicious looking teeth and a bit of a surly disposition, it didn't work for Elphie. Her parents are unnerved by her (and this leads them to summon my favourite character, the glorious Nanny) and the local children are inclined to taunt her.

My favourite part of the book was probably Elphaba's time at Shiz University. She has grown into a clever young woman with strong views and beliefs, especially concerning animal welfare. In Oz there are talking thinking animals, as well as the ordinary kind. One such is Doctor Dillamond, a sentient goat who is a professor at Shiz. Elphie learns from Doctor Dillamand that the Wizard of Oz (a despotic usurper now ruling Oz) is trying to discriminate against and oppress the sentient Animals and this makes her angry. Probably because of her early experiences, she is initially quite withdrawn and doesn't make friends easily. Her fellow pupils regard her as a bit of an oddity and you feel she may be destined to always be a loner but gradually she becomes part of a small group of close friends. Amongst this circle of friends is Galinda, or Glinda the Good Witch of the North as we now know her. Galinda is not at first inclined to give Elphie a chance but Elphie's cleverness intrigues her and they form a strong friendship. At Shiz we are also introduced to the headmistress, the sinister Madame Morrible and her odious wind-up servant Grommetik and we learn more about Elphie's sister Nessarose (or the Wicked Witch of the East). Much to their parent's relief Nessarose is not green, she is beautiful, but life has sent her a different trial, she was born without any arms.

After University, Elphie continues with her political activities, working underground and becoming somewhat distanced and isolated from her friends and family and it's here that things start to deteriorate. Fighting for the causes she believes in and finding love when she is least expecting it, Elphie becomes happy and contented for a time but tragedy is just around the corner (isn't it always?!) and her happiness is replaced by bitterness and resentment. Angered by all the injustices, jealous of what she see's as her father's preference for Nessa, fearful of the Wizard's growing power and all that that will mean for the Munchkinlanders and Oz, furious at Dorothy for squishing Nessarose and incensed by Glinda's gift to Dorothy of those enchanted shoes (I'm totally with her there, I could forgive anything but to be promised shoes and then see them on the feet of another ... it's more than flesh and blood can stand,) Elphaba starts to lose her reason. She becomes increasing unhinged and starts making rash decisions, one of which involves capturing Dorothy, who she believes intends to kill her. So much time has been spent getting to know Elphaba that even now, as she grows more and more wicked, you always feel that there is a way back for her, a way in which her better judgement will lead her back to the right path.

Rather ridiculously I was hoping for a different outcome, although in hindsight that would have been preposterous. I knew that bucket of water was coming but somehow I was still thinking it could be avoided. It was fascinating to see the story played out from Elphaba's perspective rather than Dorothy's though. It's funny also how you no longer see it as a victory over evil when Elphaba dies, instead you feel sad that it's come to this. The book is quite graphic in parts which may shock readers of the original classic but it didn't feel inappropriate or gratuitous. It's very funny in places, Elphie and Nanny in particular have a very dry and sarcastic wit. And quite sad and poignant too, especially the story of Liir, who may or may not be Elphie's son.

Totally entertaining, I've just noticed that there's a sequel, so I must read L. Frank Baum's original book and then hopefully move on to it.