Are You Wicked?

Sorry its been so long since I posted, I have been busier than possibly ever before in my life, but I wanted to take a moment and do a book review.

Right now I am reading an incredibly twisted and enjoyable story called: Wicked~The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The title itself is what caught my attention, and then the picture on the cover, which is a drawing of the witch surrounded by animals. Or should I say Animals. You see in this story it seems that the 'wicked' witch just happens to be an activist for the Animals of Oz. Animals with a capital A are different than other animals because they are sentient, as in they can talk, think complicated thoughts.... like the Cowardly Lion. Although the Lion is not particularly brave, he can speak. Ever since the Wizard showed up, he's been taking away the Animals rights and trying to have them be treated as any other chattel.

The Witch, who's name is Elphaba, ends up sharing her University dormroom with the ever prissy and excruciatingly lovely Galinda (who later becomes Glinda), until, following the murder of one of their Animal teachers, they are put under a spell to do the bidding of a not so nice professor who may very well be at the heart of the murder. Glinda being the weaker of the two, does not resist, but Elphaba disappears into the Emerald City to fight alongside other activists in her own quiet and brave way... a green-skinned shadow.

This is an awesome book, richly written with flavor and feeling. I highly recommend this story to anyone who likes a good twist on an old tale, and who feels the pulls of the political poles in their blood, as I do. So pour a cup of tea, curl up with your Cat and enjoy!