I picked this up at the used bookstore because it looked interesting, but it wasn't as thrilling as I'd hoped. I suspect it was because it has been so many years since I read the Wizard of Oz and I frequently suspected that references and inside jokes were sailing right over my head.

That aside, it was rather well-done - certainly a new spin on an old "baddie". I imagine I'll either trade it or release it one of these days soon.

RABCK to tiatia for her book club. Enjoy!

Arrived today! Thank you so much! I'll journal my reactions after I finish reading it. (I'll let you know what the Book Club members say too.)

I'll sure never hear "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" or see "The Wizard of Oz" in the same light again. Elphaba is made so human, with all those strengths and weaknesses. The complexity of her relationships with her family, her lover's family and her own son stagers the imagination while at the same time reflecting relationships among everyday people. At some point I almost forgot she was green.

I can see why a sequel on Liir is coming out this month. There are too many loose ends to tie up. Who or what is Yackle? What becomes of the Grimmmerie? When does the dwarf from the Clock of Time reappear? On and on....

The symbolism was so multidimensional (Hitler, Animal Farm, American in the Nixon era, etc.) that I can't wait to have the thoughts of the other bookclub members. It will be interesting to hear how they weigh in on the evil vesus good dialog. Since the bookclub is based in the Washington, DC area, the political comparisons should make for juicy discussions. Our meeting is October 29th. I've posted the book's bookring availability starting then. If there is enough interest I'll let it ray instead.

UPDATE: I (oops) wiped out the list on my profile. Here is a reconstruction but please PM to see if the next person still wants to read it. Sorry for the inconvenience.
wolfprincess
gomboggit
monkey flower< HERE
batty14
tranq1
hang-gliding-1
hshah

The book came today. I have to finsh two books in front of this one first that came in before it then I will start on this one. I am almost done with the one and the other one I do not think will take long.

I wish I could rate the book but I can not. Unfortantly due to all of the books I have to read and things going on right now I have not had the time to really get a chance to get into the book as I would of enjoyed. I am sorry about this but the time is up on the book. I just got to the book to start to read it this past week but I am a slower reader and when I feel I have to rush I know I will not be able to enjoy the book. So I have decided to pass the book on. I will try and get this book from the libary or to buy it so I can enjoy it at my speed when I can. I have never got through or had to pass a book on but I know others have had to do it due to over load of books or other reasons.

The book will get mailed out this week sometime after I get batty14 address.

I just received this in the mail and can't wait to begin reading it!

I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I do not care for reading about others' sex lives, and the Philosophy Club, though it did not go into a lot of detail, was too much for me.
I enjoyed getting to know Elphaba (whose name comes from L. Frank Baum's initials), and her self- and society-tormented life.
Maguire has a way of putting a spin on things so you never look at them the same way again, although I don't know if L. Frank Baum would approve :). There was definitely a lot of symbolism in this book, political and religious, and a recurring theme of three religions: Lurlinism, God-worship, and Witchcraft, and they were depicted by the three adepts Glinda, Nessarose, and Elphaba.
This author is very clever and has done his Oz research, although there were a few discrepancies, such as Glinda was not the witch that met Dorothy in Munchkinland, it was a white-haired old woman dressed in white, and Ozma would appear to be just a little older than Dorothy, whereas in this telling, she was hidden away when Elphaba was a child.
I can't wait to read more of his work. Also it may be time to pull out the old Oz series and read it again.
Thank you for letting me read this.

I received this today. Thanks for sending it. I'll read it as soon as possible and then on to the next person...

I really enjoyed reading this. It went out in the mail this morning so you should receive it soon.