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Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (The Wicked Years, #1)

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (The Wicked Years, #1) book cover
WT
Fantasy Fiction Classics

by Gregory Maguire, Douglas Smith

starstarstarstar_halfstar
3.52 (506.9K ratings)
calendar_today 1995
description 406 pages

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, Douglas Smith holds a well received rating of 3.52 out of 5, based on 506.9K reader ratings. First published in 1995. The book spans 406 pages.

About Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

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 become 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.An astonishingly rich re-creation of the land of Oz, this book retells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, who wasn't so wicked after all. Taking readers past the yellow brick road and into a phantasmagoric world rich with imagination and allegory, Gregory Maguire just might change the reputation of one of the most sinister characters in literature.

Detail Value
Author Gregory Maguire, Douglas Smith
Published 1995
Pages 406
Genres Fantasy, Fiction, Classics
Average Rating 3.52 / 5.00
Total Ratings 506,900

Reader Ratings & Analysis

Rating Overview

3.5
starstarstarstar_halfstar
506.9K ratings
With a rating of 3.52, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West is rated below the global average of 4.17. Compared to its genre average of 4.06, it performs below the genre benchmark. With 506.9K ratings, it is among the most reviewed books in its category.

How It Compares

3.52
This Book
4.06
Fantasy Average
4.17
Global Average

Frequently Asked Questions

What genre is Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West?

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West is categorized as Fantasy, Fiction, Classics. Its primary genre classification is Fantasy.

Is Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West worth reading?

Based on 506.9K reader ratings, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West has an average score of 3.52 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received." Its large number of reviews suggests broad reader appeal.

How many pages is Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West?

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West has 406 pages.

Who wrote Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West?

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West was written by Gregory Maguire, Douglas Smith. It was first published in 1995.

What is the ISBN for Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West?

The ISBN-13 for Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West is 9780060987110.0.

Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026