The worst part about the Wicked movie being good is that it means there are absolutely theater kids out there who enjoyed the movie that will then go on to read the book
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Excellent. I have done entirely too much theatre (musicals, plays, the works.) My kids are theatre kids to their core. Somehow, I haven't had the chance to experience the show or the soundtrack, but the movie is calling to me. And the book has lived unread on my Kindle for a year. Time to change it.
The novel reads like an attempt to take a joyful fantasy and suck every drop of joy out of it, then subvert what's left by inverting all of the moral compasses of the L Frank Baum source material.
The musical succeeds by subverting the novel in turn.
Was there something interesting about the book? Because it’s one of the few I could not get into (years ago) and put down very early on. So dull. Clearly I missed something. I liked Circe WAY better if we want to talk about whatever you call the genre.
The thing about the Wicked book is it has a really detached narration style that’s hard to get into—I had the same experience. HOWEVER, for people that do stick around the book is insanely NC-17 in parts, which musical fans, especially, young musical fans, probably didn’t go in expecting
Compared to Wicked, Circe is an absolute masterpiece!!
I LOVE musicals, and I haven't seen the new movie yet, but Wicked is a messed up book (for those under 13, arguably NC17 like the other commenter said).
I love lots of books that cover dark subject matter, but Wicked shocked my whole 13yo being.
I couldn't do it i'm sure its an amazing movie but it was so boring to me I fell asleep twice ; the songs were so bland to me they all sounded the same
I read the book way too young but loved it... So it was impossible for me to get into Wicked the musical because it ripped away most things I loved about the story (I like the songs tho).
It's uncool apparently to like it...I read it back in the day and it's an all time fav. I like other books by McGuire as well. Happy to be uncool by 2024 standards lol
Haven’t actually read it, but it seems like compared to the musical it’s much more of a hardcore deconstruction. I can imagine the kinds of people who would really get into the show not gelling with that.
Very... I can't remember if it was Wicked or Son of a Witch, but one had a Tiger rapes dude drug trip scene... I'm guessing that didn't make it to the musical...
I read back when it first came out. It was hugely popular (for a book) at the time. And it was fine. Not for kids, but I honestly never understood why everyone made such a big deal. I’ve read better and worse. It did not inspire me to read any more of the author’s work, though.
Not since Bunny Drop have I heard of the source material being an almost feared entity for those who loved the adaptation but don’t know what darkness lays before them.
My late aunt loves The Wizard of Oz and Wicked that when the movie really gained traction she told me to read the book.
This was around when Stephen Daldry was the director. I told her "Titi why did you let me read this?! This is depressing!" And she said "But it's good right?!"
Nobody should feel an impulse to read someone's grimdark Oz au ao3 fanfic just because some guy on broadway managed to find a diamond in the turd mound. But they will and its a sad thing
I’m not a theater kid and it was my first time watching wicked. I’m now reading the audio book on Spotify! And been having both wicked albums on rotation! What a story! I’ve always loved the wizard of oz . Love the expanded story
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The musical succeeds by subverting the novel in turn.
It already did. See, I used to be on Twitter...
I LOVE musicals, and I haven't seen the new movie yet, but Wicked is a messed up book (for those under 13, arguably NC17 like the other commenter said).
I love lots of books that cover dark subject matter, but Wicked shocked my whole 13yo being.
And I liked it.
Is something wrong with me? Did I just fail a personality test? Am I going to heck?
This was around when Stephen Daldry was the director. I told her "Titi why did you let me read this?! This is depressing!" And she said "But it's good right?!"
😎