Wicked: A Review of Human Nature

As a reader typically appalled by fantasy, I wasn’t sure what to think when I started reading Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. It took me over two years to finish reading Gregory Maguire’s most famous novel with all of my other projects taking priority but I finally made it through. It has now taken me over a year to finally finish this review as well. Ultimately, the drawn out process gave me the time to understand the surprising complexities of this novel as well as recognize its faults.

In Wicked, the well-known story of the Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz is examined from a different point of view entirely, one which analyzes the fairy tale on a more realistic, humanizing level. Wicked follows the intriguing and misunderstood witch—Elphaba—throughout her life in Oz, a world far removed from our own, fantastical in some sense, but in fact a closer portrait of the perverse aspects of our own modern society than would first be expected.

Elphaba was born an anomaly, hated by all, including her parents, and never able to fit in with her peculiar color and habits. Her parents eventually come around to love her as she is, as do others, but her uniqueness is never a virtue. What this superficial society fails to realize is the immense potential Elphaba holds in her knowledge of Oz’s political difficulties. Somewhat of a misanthrope by nature, Elphaba becomes increasingly distanced from the people of Oz, involving herself with attempting to oust the tyrannical leadership of Oz and the political unrest. Despite the title of Wicked Witch deemed her by all around her, Elphaba seems to be inherently good. By the end of this thrilling novel, Elphaba’s life seems to fade into the background and the corruption, secrecy, betrayal, and revenge become the heart of the story.

Overall, this has to be one of single most intriguing fantasy novels I’ve ever read. The larger issues that this novel examines bring it into the transcendental realm. Not only does the book relate to real life, but it highlights the unseen problems that plague our own world. The novel humanizes these issues by coupling the larger storyline with the beautiful and tragic story of Elphaba—someone unique from most but still easy for the reader to empathize with. The thing I like most about this novel is the fact that Elphaba is not an entirely likable character but that she becomes relatable and beloved by the end. And while pieces of the storyline drag, I am willing to forgive it all for the emotions I felt while reading the ending, utterly absorbed in its immensity of thought and emotion.