first off, i didn't finish reading this book. it's not that i wasn't enjoying it, it was just a hectic month (cough ... everyman). combine that with marty and i had choice seats to the musical version of this work thanksgiving-eve and i feel there's little point in continuing the book now that i know the outcome. therefore, this review will consider what i did read, my feelings on the theatrical rendition and marty's observations regarding the two.

the text was obviously more involved and did a fantastic job of extending the world of oz. of what i did read i'd say it was respectfully and believably treated with an appropriate, if not expected, mix of mystery and uniquity to move you forward. the stage production deviated from the plot-line significantly but in doing so amped up the humor and suspense. for the show, i took my seat expecting little for those who weren't oz-groupies. at its conclusion, i left the theater trying to enumerate the great complexities of the narrative. in several respects i'd liken it to the latest star wars film which chronicled the true birth of vader. and while she was no sith lord, i imagine Elpheba is somewhere on the radar of super-villans. and efforts such as wicked and episode three will collectively move us to appreciate that things just aren't always as they seem. wicked was outstanding and based on marty's comments, possibly superior to the book.

in a quasi-related aside. the first time marty played the wicked soundtrack on our downstairs radio, the witch's cackle sent alex into hysterics. since then anytime someone turns that stereo on, regardless of what it's tuned to, alex totally, completely and utterly comes unglued. so, with this new neurosis in our home, is anyone in the market for an absolutely stunning henry kloss model two? if so, i suggest you do what i did and go buy one because alex's limbs would have to start flying across the room messing up my painted walls before i parted with mine.