[Luc]

I am a 13 yr old guy and can read at an adult level, but I am wondering if you think I would like the novel of WICKED. I looked at it and I know that I would be totally capable of reading it, but do you think that I would like it? I LOVE the musical, but how similar/different are the two (novel/musical)?

[ConverseSneaker]

Well, Wicked the book....I'm an almost 14 year old(3 more days!) and I read Wicked. It was a bit hard to understand sometimes because like Phoenix for example was spelled Pfenix(or something like that). And one chapter, the City of Emeralds. I had no idea that was in there and I read it.....Sex scenes in the entire chapter. If it wasn't for that I'd recomend the book to anyone who really loves reading/musicals. I really love the book and now Gregory Maguire is my favorite author.

My advice is order from your library and borrow it. That way, if you don't like it, it can be returned and you don't lose any money.

Wicked is more deeper and the connections that Fiyero is the scarecrow and Boq the Tinman aren't in the book. Instead it's closer to the Wizard of Oz. But the basic storyline(Elphaba+Glinda become friends, Fiyero who already is supposedly in love with someone falls for Elphie, ect.) is there.

That's a long post.

[Salome]

The book is wonderful. I was so pissed off when the musical came out and destroyed the story.

avoid the musical. read the novel.

[Ulla Dance Again!]

I'm reading the novel right now, so I definitely reccommend it. It's very good, and I'm still working my way through... but I would suggest reading it anyway, even if you've already seen the show. (I haven't seen it yet so that's what got me curious in reading the book).

I just like the idea of it all, I guess... where does the wicked witch come from, why is she this way, etc.

[DramaRobin2002]

The novel is terrific, but don't read it if you're expecting it to be anything like the musical. The musical is very VERY loosely based on the novel. Also, don't read it if you are uncomfortable or immature about adult themes. There are rather graphic sexual themes and the story does get disturbing at some part (and then you have the Philosophy Club chapter, which has both). But I'd definitely recommend it.

[LoneWanderer]

My friends and I were hanging around in a...um...slightly altered mind state, and found a copy of wicked. We read aloud from random pages, and were amazed by the repeated use of the word "dragonsnaking" instead of sex. We now use dragonsnake regularly.

~The Lone Wanderer

[BroadwayBud]

I was surprised about how political the motives of the characters were. You'll enjoy the book if you like politics and witch sex. If you can't handle that, then don't read it.

[Valjean_Jean24601]

I haven't seen the musical yet (Going this June in Chicago). . but I thought the novel was EXCELLENT.

I've never been a huge Wizard of Oz fan. . but I decided to read the book when I found out about the musical coming to Chicago. . and I was not disappointed. . actually I was flabbergasted by how good the book was.

I'm not a fan of the sci-fi/fantasy genre. . and it's definitely written from the Lord-of-the-Rings perspective. . but Mr. Maguire totally fleshes out the world of Oz to appeal to an adult audience.

I was really disappointed about the changes to the story for the musical. The novel explores the social causes and identifiers of "wicked" behaviour.

I love that Elphaba is the protagonist throughout the entire story, without compromising the original L. Frank Baum story.

It wasn't that she was evil. . nor was Dorothy. . it's just that there's 2 sides to every story, and the book portrays that VERY well.

I'd definitely recommend it.

Sm**chies!

Jacob.

[swmustang878]

I have one thing to say; the musical is light hearted and comical, and the book is very dark and mysterious. VERY DIFFERENT!!! (Personally, I enjoyed the book, but I was into the musical much more)

[Salome]

exactly. the novel is brilliant in all oft hose aspects. the musical not only castrates the book..but tampers with Baum's tale left and right.

[MademoiselleMusicals]

Yes, I want the novel too as I like reading the novels to musicals, IE Les Mis

[vexation]

Very Dark!
When Elphaba is first born everyone keeps talking about drowning her!
It's not a kids book. I'm still quite near the beginning and keep wondering when (if ever) it will start to follow the same story line as the musical.

I do love the musical though and i hope this doesn't taint it. I can see why they would change it though they would want it to be a little more light hearted and to have a younger market. And if you had to still though the novel as written you would probably leave crying and depressed!

Good book though

[Michelle]

[s1ng4m3]

I'm 17. I read the book when I was 16, before I saw the musical. I love to read - I usually read a novel a day. However, Wicked was pretty tough for me to begin. The middle kept me enticed, although the sex scenes are pretty graphic and somewhat unnecessary. I did think there were a lot of loose ends at the end though. I'm not really encouraged to read Son of a Witch for fear I'll be even more lost than I am. I liked the plotlines of the book - dark and political. I guess I'm just a dork like that. But I don't think that would have worked well with a musical.... I do love the musical. The two are just very different.

[mozurkz]

I'm 13, I read the novel when I was 12. I think most preteens are mature enough for the book, It's VERY dark, but that doesn't bug me. The sex was unnecisary. It REALLY irked me, but It wasn't anything worse than what the perverts in my grade talk about. It was still a VERY good book and I highly recomend it.

[Kaiana]

Michelle, about being a prude, I think it really depends on the maturity of your daughter. I know some very mature 13 year olds, and some very immature 13 year olds. Heck, I know some immature seniors. If your kid is mature enough to read it, I think it definitely would be a good book to read.

[Valjean_Jean24601]

I really don't think the sexuality in "Wicked" is explicit at all.

In fact when their lovemaking is described as "Blue diamonds on a green field" I get a little teary-eyed.

I loved that Elphaba was happy and comfortable for a time in the book, and I think the sex between the two was an important part of the book.

It is probably good to mention that the book was written for adults, not children. . so the maturity of the reader would be the important factor, not necessarily the age.

Sm**chies!

Jacob.

[DramaRobin2002]

[Valjean_Jean24601]