Wicked (before the musical)

Allie · December 27th, 2007, 09:37 AM

Anyone read this? I got it for Christmas and have had trouble getting into it... Mainly because it seems very gayly inclined. It seems very... well, not of the Greg Berlanti persuasion, more of the sexually explicit way. Just looks a bit... R rated. Not what I was expecting.
What can I expect of this book?

**NoDayButToday** · December 27th, 2007, 10:34 AM

There's only 1 part of the book that I remember being particularly sexual. I liked the book, there wasn't anything REALLY explicit, with the exception of that one portion, which you'll know when you get there. It's fairly early on, while they're still in school, and they go to this weird drug fueled sex club that incorporates Animals. It goes for a couple pages, outraged a lot of people, and then calms down for the rest of it.

DefyingGravity · December 27th, 2007, 10:43 AM

I tried reading the book but just couldn't get into it. Maybe I should try again sometime. It didn't seem so explicit to me? (I don't think I got very far though)

But I'm a big fan of the musical. Love it.

southernbelle · January 15th, 2008, 03:17 PM

I also couldn't get into it. I've tried to read it at least 10 times and I just found the style of writing to be boring and pretentious. IMO, great premise but poorly written.

Rondette · January 15th, 2008, 03:28 PM

I picked this book up from a charity shop and got to the end of the first chapter. I haven't read on since then mainly because I find the writing a bit cold and trying too hard to sound like Neil Gaimen.

dolem · January 15th, 2008, 05:34 PM

I just finished Wicked & Son of a Witch. I really liked both books, though I thought Wicked was better. I recently was able to see the play on Broadway (prior to reading the book) and loved the play. The book is quite different than the play, but I liked it a lot. It was very political, which I found interesting, especially in the society we live in today. The only real sexual scene in the book was the Philosophy Club scene, which I'm not sure you could say was more homosexual than heterosexual. It does allude to some other leanings, but I found that was explained a little more in "Son of a Witch".

"Son of a Witch" wasn't as good, and lacked a really good ending like I wanted. I'd recommend both books though.

Allie · January 16th, 2008, 01:51 AM

I am struggling. Struugling. I've been dead set ready to read it, literally dropping all things, getting comfy in bed and all relaxed, and as soon as I open the book I get to "Frex told Bjobble the fine wave of the East"... and I just toss it to the side in aggravation.
Where's the WITCH STUFF? Where's the WIZARD OF OZ STUFF?
With no respect, I don't want a gay man's outlook on the magical mysterious sexually explicit world of Oz etched into my mind!!

**NoDayButToday** · January 16th, 2008, 08:51 AM

There is very, VERY little of the wizard of oz story in wicked. It is most of Elphaba's life up until that point, with less than 100 pages dedicated to that time period. It's about her as a "person" before Dorothy's house dropped.

dolem · January 16th, 2008, 01:04 PM

You have to get through the part in the beginning where Elphaba is a baby to get to the better stuff. Once she's at Shiz, I felt the book got better.

Like NoDay said, the book has very little to do with Dorothy. The title says it all, "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West".

But, if you really are not enjoying the book I have to ask, why even bother reading it?

WitchHazelEyed · January 16th, 2008, 01:58 PM

I've been having the same problem getting into Wicked and I NEVER have a problem getting into a good book.

witchcurlgirl · January 16th, 2008, 06:55 PM

My freind had the book - couldn't get into it....she passed it to me - I couldn't either.....

pick up something you like instead....

Allie · January 17th, 2008, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolem

You have to get through the part in the beginning where Elphaba is a baby to get to the better stuff. Once she's at Shiz, I felt the book got better.

Like NoDay said, the book has very little to do with Dorothy. The title says it all, "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West".

But, if you really are not enjoying the book I have to ask, why even bother reading it?

Why?
Why finish your meal at an expensive restaurant if you're full?
Because it cost a lot!
(And I'm determined, lol)

PlumbingQueen · January 17th, 2008, 09:53 AM

I absoluted hated this book! I didn't need to read how Elphaba was a biter as a baby! I loved the musical, however. That was wonderful!

Allie · January 18th, 2008, 07:38 AM

^^ Just read that biter bit, where they said "pity the first boy she fools around with, his COCK will be bitten off!"
I'm sorry, is this a scum version of Oz? Baum would be turning in his grave, I'd well assume.

laynes · January 18th, 2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allie

^^ Just read that biter bit, where they said "pity the first boy she fools around with, his COCK will be bitten off!"
I'm sorry, is this a scum version of Oz? Baum would be turning in his grave, I'd well assume.

ehh.. I agree completely! The book is awful!
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. The musical is great though!