The New Book Buddies met on August 17 at the home of Becky Newell. Nine members and one guest met for a lively discussion of Wicked by Gregory Maguire. The book is an expansion, if you will, of the original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz story written by L. Frank Baum waaaay back in 1900. Did you know that book was the first of a 14 book series set in Oz?
The story gained even more fame when it was made into the movie starring Judy Garland, as Dorothy in 1939. Remember when the movie was aired on TV only once a year starting in 1956 for 30+ years? The switch from black and white to technicolor was amazing! But I digress.
The book, Wicked, was written in 1995. It explores the origins of the wicked witch of the west; giving her a name, a family, a college education, a social conscience, and begs the questions – was she really wicked, and what is wickedness? Once you add the stage production and two more movies, there was an awful lot for the book buddies to unpack. But we persevered and covered a lot of ground.
The book was not to everyone’s taste, and quite a surprise to some, but the fantasy genre fans loved it. Most of us found some parts to enjoy with other parts being a little bit “out there”. It was so fun to hear all the differing opinions and viewpoints!
Our next meeting will be September 21st at the home of Linda McElmurry, to discuss The Next Ship Home by Heather Webb.
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