Starting Over Talk - Peer Coaching Support Site

Use this thread to Discuss the book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.

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hi

i haven't read this book but i would like to.

is it good???

I haven't heard that any of us have decided on a book yet. I think we were waiting for the holiday season to pass.

I read this one. I found it a pretty interesting perspective on the nature of evil. Basically that what is evil is a matter of one's point of view and circumstance. Would love to discuss with any one else who has read.

While I enjoyed some parts of the book I found it quite slow and it dragged quite badly in some parts.

Overall I wouldn't recommend the book. The study of the nature of evil is covered much better in other works.

For a pop-culture example, try reading *Labyrinth of Evil* by James Luceno followed by *Revenge of the Sith* by Matthew Woodring Stover* These books examine choosing and not choosing evil, and the consequences of choosing. It all done in a believable yet sympathetic way while really examining the lure and promise of evil and the pain that can come with choosing good.

Well, I have been absent for awhile, and have needed to get back here. This was the first stop I had to make because I feel like I have been neglecting my duties.

So, I started reading the book and I have finished the Munchkinlanders section. I find it pretty easy to read, but I have had to bust out my dictionary on a couple of words.

From the beginning of the book, Melena refers to the child she is carrying as a parasite. Melena and Frex seem to have a strained relationship from the get-go, and I wonder if his feelings towards her don't effect the way the people around the area also feel about her. It says that Frex blames her for being born into privilege, and the women from the area don't like her either, and his feelings could subconsciously be to blame. Later in the story, it takes Nanny, who is of a lower station than Melena, to come in and get Elphaba integrated with other children via Gawnette, and does it with such ease. I wonder if it is station or it is the deferential tone she takes with Gawnette.

There are also a lot of religious themes in the book so far as well. Not only the good vs evil which is portrayed with Frex and the dragon clock, but also with the story that Turtle Heart tells about the phrophecy. There is also the Old ways vs. The Church. Nanny talks about her belief in the Fairy Queen and her ruling of Oz. It is not at all an unexplored topic in books, and it will be interesting to see if it develops further or is only a reference in passing.

Turtle Heart is an interesting character. I love that he is a glass blower. To me, the glass blower symbolizes an active character. He is a transformer and a creator. There is also a mystical part of him that can use his creations to forsee the future. So far, I have found him the most interesting character by far.

Now, for little Elphaba. There is no explanation for the green coloring as of yet. I am sure that it was not easy for Melena or Frex to have to come to terms with having such an abnormality in a child. Not only it is a social issue, but a parishoner issue too considering the show put on by the players of the Dragon Clock. The name of the child is the epitome of irony as she was named for St. Aelphaba of the Waterfall and it is water that will kill her. Elphaba seems to be acutely aware of that right off.

Well, that's all I have for right now. I am sure I will think of more. I can't wait to hear what everyone else thinks about it so far, and I am on to start the next section. Again, sorry I have been M.I. A. for so long, but hopefully I will get back here more frequently again. Busy, busy, busy.