Wickedly Entertaining

Recently finished Gregory Maguire's novel, "Wicked," which chronicles the life and well-known death of the Wicked Witch of the West from Oz fame. At the risk of sounding like a pithy one-line backcover review, his prose is rich with vivid imagery and wonderfully colorful language. Certain passages and chapters were a bit cerebral at times--a lot of heady issues were entwined into this fantastical tale that gives a human side to the green-skinned girl who grew up to be Dorothy's nemesis. Maguire delves into personal will versus destiny, prejudice, and the time-immemorial debate on the essence of good and evil. I'll stop with all the unbearable gushing, but not before saying it was truly an enjoyable read.

Next literary stop: "Boy Still Missing" by John Searles. The first few pages promise a joy ride of a read. Book report to follow. Thanks to Nannermonkey for the endless supply of reading material (mais tu es toujours un singe.)