I am more than halfway through "Wicked," the novel upon which the musical was based. I kind of like it, but it is much different than I expected. Being a child of The Rocky and Bullwinkle generation, I was expecting The Wizard of Oz story told from the Wicked Witch's point of view to be more like Fractured Fairytales. It is not nearly that funny. There is some dark humor, but the main thrust is serious. Oz really sucks in this version, though it was no day at the beach in the original, what with flying monkeys and all. The Opium poppy fields were kind of cool, though.
I feel sorry for Elphaba, being born green with shark's teeth. But she is pretty anti-social and tough to love. Her one positive characteristic is her loyalty. Glinda is a lot like Aphrodite on the old Hercules tv show (Kevin Sorbo version). An air headed debutante. But she shows more real growth of character than Elphaba.
I really enjoyed their college life, being taught by sentient goats, rhinos, and baboons. I considered my profs to be beasts, but most did have opposable thumbs.
Recommended, but adults only. Witch sex is not for the kiddies, and the violence is not comic book. |
