Oz is Heaven?

alga, Read Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire, and you may think again about that wish... I recommend this book highly! -- Dave Lebling (aka vizcacha)

I have seen this book referred to before, perhaps on this list, and was intrigued by the idea. This recent mention, coupled with my recent re-reading of several Oz books prompted me to read it. Although it is an interesting book and Gregory Maguire reveals a very thorough knowledge of the Oz books as well as the movie (undoubtedly more thorough than mine), I cannot second vizcacha's recommendation. Even if I liked the book I would still have to say that it is silly to try to use it as a means of changing anyone's opinion about the desirability of visiting Oz. Maguire has used elements of Baum's Oz but has so altered and rearranged them that he has come up with an entirely different (and thoroughly unpleasant) place. I think that Baum, as the originator of Oz, should be used as the authority on the subject, not some guy who is using the Wicked Witch of the West as a convenient metaphor for Evil. (Personally, I don't think Oz qualifies as heaven even if you do just stick to Baum's books.) I just removed a long paragraph I wrote about why I don't like this book, because this is too long for an off-topic message already. I'll just say that I am glad I got the book from a library instead of buying it. William Ansley