Thursday, September 18, 2008

WICKED

While I was busy "breaking" I was doing something I have not treated myself to in a long while. I was reading in the evening. I read a couple of Kay Hooper's fun mystery/paranormal books and of course a Dean Koontz epic. The last three days of my break (or evenings) I picked up Wicked (by Gregory Maguire) to read. I have been saving this book for some time, I wanted to see the stage play first. Then I saw a photo on authorblog that David had taken of the Marquee where Wicked was playing in Australia. My heart began to throb with the anticipation of finally breaking my word to myself. I was going to read it.

When we were youngsters, my cousins and I read voraciously, we read anything we could get our hands on. My Uncle worked at a place where they made paper products and often brought home stacks of old comics and paperback books. He always took them to the little old house that stood empty eyed and forlorn a few hundred feet from his house. He always told us when new comics had been placed within. In the summer, dried tobacco was stored tied up in field sheets, waiting till time to go to market. Those aromatic bales of tobacco made for very comfortable reading. We would read comics and pass them back and forth, especially if they were good. I first found Mr Baum's "The Wizard of Oz" in a box of those old comics. When we had a book, we would take turns reading aloud, the audience kicked back on makeshift sofas, taking it all in. I learned to hate and despise The Wicked Witch of the West and idolize Glinda, the Good Witch of the South (or was it North? I barely remember). When we were reading about TWWOTW we shivered in delights of fear when the winged monkeys attacked the little band heading for Oz...we felt the cold when Glinda sent the snow to waken the sleeping victims of TWWOTW's poppy fields (opium???in a a child's tale???) . We read that little book till it was ragged and frayed and learned what "dogeared" meant, as we turned down the page where we would take up next day. Ah, the thrills of reading that followed me like a second skin into adulthood.

And now, I'm reading the adventures of Elphaba, the young green Miss before she became The Wicked Witch of the West, and all about her sister Nessarose, she of the barber pole stockings and ruby slippers. I'm learning to appreciate how they came about, how family history turns on a look or a word. I'm learned to feel pity for TWWOTW, and admiration for her as well. I've learned that Glinda wasn't always the sweet little Fairy Queen we once thought she was. I learned you shouldn't judge a book by its insides OR its cover! And if you haven't read Wicked...oh please! Do yourself the favor. I promise you won't regret it.

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book Sandi.

As to my little punkin. I found it at Michaels. It was in a bag of tiny gourds etc. I saw the bag a couple weeks ago and didn't buy. Yesterday, the bag was marked 50% off, so I couldn't resist. I'll probably use the other things in a bowl, vase or glass candleholder.

Anonymous said...

I'm actually quite fond of children's books, even now! I'll read one or two from time to time. At the moment, I'm reading a series meant for young adults. As long as it is well written and entertaining, I don't care what it says on the cover! LOL!

I have a wonderful strong visual image of you sitting on those bales of tobacco, reading your free comics and books! What a magical time that must have been!

windycorner said...

Such a rich childhood memory, now I feel like I was there, too. One of Lucy's best friends gave her tickets to Wicked for her birthday two years ago. They loved it. Now I think I'll read the book.
Holley

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I have always loved the Wizard of Oz...Now, I know the next time I am at the library I am picking up Wicked...Thanks Sandi!
Hugs,
Penny

Pam said...

Oh what a wonderful review. I started on that one some tim eback and somehow got distracted and never finished it. It's still on that list of things to read, which is growing at an alarming pace. ;)
I did, however, see the musical when I was in London in 2006. It was one of the best musicals! I highly recommend seeing it if you can, I think it's in Atlanta next month.

Re: the key lime cupcake recipe. Here's the website link to the recipe.
http://www.wbir.com/life/recipes/recipe.aspx?id=2727

Lib said...

Hi Sandi,
Sounds like a good read!
Hope you have a great day!
Blessins',Lib

Diva's Thoughts said...

I saw Wicked on Broadway last year and LOVED it!!! It was by far the best play I had ever seen.

I can't express to you just how much I enjoyed the story and the performances of the actors.

ancient one said...

sounds like a fun read. I can even imagine the smells from those piles of tobacco... that cured tobacco smell...we loved comic books and any other kind we could get our hands on...

Vee said...

Oh, Sandi, I tried. I really, really tried. I just couldn't get past the third chapter. Glad that you're enjoying it, though. Maybe if I saw the play first. Besides, I am very suspicious of retold fairy tales. I mean, did you know that the Wicked Witch in Hansel and Gretel was a vegetarian? ;>

Lee said...

Sounds like a really neat place to read, Sandi! For me it was Grandmother's sofa while Mom pushed the SRA reading program at me and then tons of condensed novels from Reader's Digest. Thing I remember best about reading at Grandmother's were the McCall's paper dolls that she saved for me to cut out and use. :)

I made it through Wicked but it took me a few months because I'd pick up other books in between chapters. It was indeed a good read.

Hugs! & Thanks for the scrabble game!
Lee

Jules~ said...

That is interesting. Our dentist actually was telling us a couple of months ago about the greatness of this story and how we must see the play. He was so taken by the story line that he had tears splash down his cheeks a couple of times from his conviction that we needed to know the story.

Maggie May said...

I love children's books and my favourite was The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson. I recently reread it!

CatHerder said...

I havent read it but plan to do so...our home looks like a library...books are one thing we always have money for lol....i dont think we ever leave the house without a book under our arm!

Mima said...

I used to read a lot - I remember going to village fete's with all my pocket money, and the first stall I would go to would be second hand books, and all my money would be gone fairly pronto, but I would come home with a wonderful box of books that would last me for ages!

Not so easy now, my memory and concentration (because of the MS) are so bad that I just can't keep the storyline straight. I will add it to the list though for my next good patch!!

Unknown said...

Hi Sandy,

I love new and fun books. I would love, love, love to see Wicked on Broadway or if it comes to Cincy. I am actually heading to Barnes and Noble's tonite (we go there almost every friday nite) but I have a pile of books I haven't read yet on my nightstand so I really shouldn't get anymore but you know I will. LOL

SandyCarlson said...

You have sold me on the book. For all I have heard about Wicked, I knew nothing until now!

Unknown said...

Oh Sandi I couldn't agree more. I was attracted to this book by the cover 2 yrs ago and took a chance. I was never even a fan of the Wizard of Oz!

Well it's now right up there on my fave books list, it's a FABULOUS book for any age...ENJOY!

Sandy McTier Designs said...

Sounds like a fabulous read! Will add it to my growing list of things to read ~ have to make more time for that!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Sandy

Jeni said...

Your love of reading and adventures into reading as a child sounds so much like mine! I ALWAYS had my nose stuck in some book virtually all the time as a kid! I still love to read -just don't do it with quite as much fervor and steam as I had back then -something about other things needing to be done in life now that didn't interfere with my pleasures back then -like cooking, washing dishes, watching two preschoolers and the like! But if there is a better thing to do than reading for the sheer relaxation and pleasure of it, someone please let me know what it might be as I've never found anything better. Have you?

Anonymous said...

I shall have to give this book a read, definitely! My sister loves the play; I hope to see it at some time, but haven't been able to get there yet.
I too had a neighbor that worked at a 'comic book factory' and would bring stacks of comic books home to hand out to the neighbor kids. He was VERY popular!

Country Cottage Chic said...

I was also an avid reader as a child - my dad used to say I'd read a cereal box if nothing else was available! I always had my nose in a book & to this day I love to sit & read & lose myself in another world!

Akelamalu said...

That sounds like great book, thanks for the review Sandi.

Gone Back South said...

It is wonderful getting lost in a good book. I miss it!

Jeff B said...

Great childhood memories. I wish more children would take the time to just sit and read, letting their imagination take them on far away journeys. Too many of them are being force fed crap from television and video games these days.

Anonymous said...

I had never considered reading that before - on my list to read now!

Jeanne said...

My Crystal has all his books so now I'm going to have to hit her up to borrow them. I'm in need of a good read that's not mindless but not 'emotional' either. Some escapism you know.

Aunt Julie said...

It's a great book, but nothing like the musical it was made into. I really enjoyed reading about the "dark side" of the Wizard of Oz, too! You're right--one thing this Bloggy Business cuts into is the reading time. I'm not a voracious as I used to be!

Rhea said...

I enjoy Kay Hooper a lot. And I haven't read Wicked yet, but I keep meaning too. Thanks for the reminder!

tlchang said...

I loved, loved, loved the play - amazing production - but couldn't make myself slog through the dreariness of the book (significantly different in tone). I so loved the Wizard of Oz books as a kid that even though I enjoy retold tales, I guess I didn't really want one quite that dark and politically charged in that world.

Carol said...

Just adore books...all sorts. I am looking forward to reading a couple of books while on my hols. I may even get to finish one! I have not been to my allotment for a couple of weeks - I am a bad allotmenter - my pumpkins need bringing home, if they are still ok. I am getting in the Halloween mood now.
Hugs,
Carol xx

Lavinia said...

I wanted to see the musical but it was sold out. Sold out so fast! Those who saw it, seemed to really like it. I hope it comes by my town again. I didn't know there was a book!

i beati said...

Christi Chenoworth love her.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Sandi: Popped over from Davids place. I love your choice of music and we have that in common. I'm more of a photo blogger and your a writer. Maybe I'll write more after I retire. Keep up the good work you do.

Terry Richey said...

Loved your "Wicked" post. My hubby took me to the broadway play this past week and I absolutely adored it - it was fabulous and a must see. My hubby read the book, but I never got around to it. I plan to read it next!