📚️ Book Review: WICKED

Here's my thoughts on Wicked

Hello people of the internet! Here’s some a little bit different for you then, welcome to “Ross talks nonsense about books he’s read.” Kicking things off first of all, I’ll be talking about Wicked!

📚️ Book Review: WICKED

First of all, I think I should say that Wicked is NOT a children’s book.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t massively think it’s all that “adult” either. Sure, it touches on more adult things - like there is some sex references, some more obvious than other, and things like that. But it’s nothing like an actual erotic novel. To be fair, I’d probably be fine with Isabelle reading it if she was 14+ or so. She might find it fairly boring as the musical doesn’t really touch on the religious/philosophical side anywhere near as much as the book does. But I don’t think the sex references go that hard.

Fiyero does mention that Elphaba makes him hard, and there’s a spot of implied beastiality - which in fairness, is surely up for debate anyway? Like if an animal - or Animal as the talking ones are referred to with a capital “A” in the book - can speak and think etc, then is it really beastiality?

Don’t get me wrong, I doubt I’d lay with a tiger just because he spoke English to me, but some freaky sausage probably would. Although I am Welsh, so allegedly I have other preferences 🐑

I’ll be honest, I mainly found myself wanting to read it purely to see how it all panned out compared to the musical. If I had ZERO idea about the musical I don’t think I’d be quite as bothered to actually read it. Like I’ve never read the original Wizard of Oz.

It’s one of those where you occasionally find yourself going “ah ok, that’s how that happens,” and things like that. Or “oh, that’s different to the musical!”

Some of it is completely different, and other parts just have a slight variation.

The biggest difference is just the time frame. Wicked often feels like the whole thing happens within the first few terms of them being at Shiz. It all escalates rather quickly and suddenly she’s on the run as the Wicked Witch of the West.

Meanwhile the book has these large jumps in time between events. You have the events at Shiz, then I think it’s almost like a “5 years later” then after Elphaba and Fiyero develop their relationship - which doesn’t happen at all really at Shiz, and he is quite different in the book - you then have another jump with Elphaba heading to Kiamo Ko.

Characters at Kiamo Ko are then developed quite a bit - which aren’t mentioned at all in the musical - before the final act of the book takes place. I think Elphaba is near enough 40 by the time it all ends.

Technically, it’s always kinda hard with a book like this as virtually everyone knows how it’ll actually end. We all know it’s going to involve Dorothy and a bucket of water. At least in the book she’s an actual character with words to say, instead of just an offscreen part in the musical.

There are some “consistency” issues compared to the Wizard of Oz film - like Elphaba doesn’t immediately rock up when the Wicked Witch of the East dies. But naturally Gregory just fancied taking a different spin on things.

I’m going to guess that part two of the film will actually develop Dorothy a little more since they have to make an ENTIRE FILM out of the shorter second act. After Defying Gravity there isn’t a massive amount left - at least not enough for a film - but if they take more inspiration from the book then it would certainly be doable.

For example, I wouldn’t be shocked if some of the Kiamo Ko parts are added, especially since her castle seems to be in the film anyway.

Is it worth a read?

I’ll be honest, if you really liked the musical and you want more depth to the story and a slightly different take, then I think it’s worth a read. If you want to buy it and happen to want wax melts too then we currently offer a Wicked Book Bundle…

At least you get some lovely wax melts too then 😂

If you can’t be arsed for a different version of the musical and would rather just know the one version of the story then you might be better off skipping it.

What’s next for me?

Ok, so I am actually half way through Haunting Adeline but I am heavily considering dropping it. I just don’t think I’m a massive fan of erotic fiction, maybe? And as a very slow reader, I know another 300 or so pages is going to take me AT LEAST 10 days or so.

When I first started reading it I kept wanting to read the next part, but now I’m just a bit bored of the abusive non-consensual element. Do you know what really bores me though? It seems like every sodding guy in these erotic books is some wildly attractive, well-hung man who only sees “no” as a slight obstacle.

So I’m really torn. Part of me wants to see what happens with Adeline and the story of great grand mother, the other part of me doesn’t want to read on. I’m not even 100% sure why? Do I actually find it disturbing and uncomfortable to read? I don’t think so.

Do I find the story interesting? Well I want to see what happens, so yes.

So what is it then?

Is it just this Zade fella that I don’t like? Why don’t I like him?

I don’t know.

Actually, I think it’s his arrogance too. I hate the whole “you’re going to want me,” shite he’s giving off whilst then forcing someone to do something.

I know it would be cool to have a book where the woman goes “you know what, mate? How about fuck off. Genuinely I’m not interested, so I actually mean no,” and then the guy goes “ah yeah, no worries.”

Then I can read the story.

I know it’s fantasy, and that would be boring for those that want that “noncon” kink. I’m well aware of some of the more popular female fantasies out there and Haunting Adeline, along with plenty of others, certainly plays into that.

But yeah, I’m kinda getting off topic here 😂

So yeah, that’s it for today! Sorry, this almost turned into two book reviews 😂 I’ll let you know if I carry on reading Haunting Adeline though.

Much love,

Ross & Rachel x