Gregory Maguire

I was drawn to the art on the book cover, combined with the title, not even realizing I’d just listened to something else by the same author. The author is thoroughly versed in the fairy tales of many countries, myths, folk lore, Bible stories, classical ballet stories, and doubtless more, to where I am not familiar with some of the references made—and so am not always sure when an old story is being intertwined, and when something is entirely original. For example, I have no idea if any of the fairy tales that inspired this one might have been aimed at an adult audience and could have been rated R for sexual content, had such ratings existed, like this one is. Hiddensee is the name of a place, but also seems to allude to the idea that fairy tales are fraught with psychological mysteries and hidden meanings, like this one is. 😊
Great narration, by the way, by Steven Crossley.… (more)

I first read this book a number of years ago, and I didn't like it. I wanted more Dorothy and less Oz Politics. Than I forgot most of the plot, including Elphaba's little sister, Nessarose.

So on a reread, I found it a completely different book, a story about trying to do the right thing, but completely screwing up or timing issues, with people dying due to these screw ups. It is a heartbreaking tale, from being used to make a point about religion form a parent, to losing connections to a point of pride.

Elphaba becoming the witch isn't so much about good and evil, its about losing what ones values, not black and white, but grey and grey - its impossible to make good choices when the world you live in is so bleak.

Oddly enough, this is one of those books that explains the real world - using religious intolerance, colonization, fascism, all starting with a years long drought that causes famine and income loss, it is analogy for our world.

Also, I still want more Dorothy....... :)… (more)