Book Discussion: "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire

Primary tabs

Program Type:

Book Clubs

Age Group:

Adults

Program Description

Description

You've belted out the songs in your car. You've counted down the days to the movie. But have you read the book?

In a fun coincidence, the highly-anticipated Wicked movie hits theaters in the same month that WPL is hosting two Wizard of Oz programs.  What better way to celebrate than with a bonus book club?!?!  Fans of the movie, the musical, and/or the book are invited to join in a discussion of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire on Monday, December 2 at 6:30pm. Copies of the book will be available to check out at the front desk beginning November 1.

More about the book, from the publisher:

When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil?

Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to be the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.

Related programs:

The Wizard Behind Oz a Humanities Kansas presentation by Chris Glasgow on Saturday, November 2 at 10:30am

Book discussion:  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum on Monday, November 25 at 6:30pm