Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West[坏女巫：新绿野仙踪] 英文原版

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire is a fascinating retelling of L. Frank Baum's classic tale. The book tells the story of Elphaba, who grows up to become the Wicked Witch of the West. Unlike Baum's version where she is depicted as purely evil, Maguire's version is more complex and nuanced, portraying Elphaba as a free-spirited and passionate individual who fights for animal rights and against totalitarianism. The book is set in a world where animals talk and are striving for equal rights, while the humans are oppressive and promoting Industrial Modern architecture. The Wizard of Oz, the ruler of this dystopian world, controls everything and restricts the animals' right to freedom of travel. Maguire's writing style is unique and imaginative, creating a rich and vivid fantasy world where humans, animals, Munchkinlanders, dwarves, and various tribes coexist. The book is a postmodernist fable that challenges our preconceived notions about good and evil, religion, and free will. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy fantasy, retellings, and stories with complex and multidimensional characters. Wicked is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that will leave you questioning your beliefs about the world and the nature of evil.