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Title: Son of a Witch: A Novel
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Manufacturer: William Morrow
List Price: $26.95
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| Son of a Witch: A Novel by William Morrow The Adventures of Liir | "Son of a Witch" is Gregory Maguire's sequel to his wildly popular novel "Wicked". It picks up immediately where the last book left off; the witch is dead, and Dorothy and her gang are on their way back to see the wizard, where they pick up a new companion, Liir. Eventually Liir finds Elphaba's cape and magic broom, and sets off on his own rather revolutionary adventure through Oz. All the while he is looking for his lost playmate, Nor. This is really only the tip of the iceberg, there is a lot more to the story; you'll just have to read it and find out the rest your self.
"Son of a Witch continues with story threads and themes began in "Wicked", such as evil being a relative concept, as well as the motivations involved in revolution and rebellion. The Wizards persecution of Animals (that is animals that can think and reason; a la the Cowardly Lion), and then the new Wizard's rather zealous grasp of Unionism (a kind of Christian religion in Oz). Liir also faces severe identity crises because he is unsure of his parentage. He believes he is Elphaba's son, but he can not be sure. What is for sure is that he has taken the Animal's cause for his own, just like the Wicked Witch of the West did.
All of this makes an interesting and intriguing novel, though certainly not for children, as the violence and sexuality is pretty graphic. But the characters are a wonderful delight, and for the most part three dimensional, even if Liir is sometimes a little whiney for my taste. Still, "Son of a Witch" is a good adventure. | | Son of a Witch: A Novel by William Morrow Lacking | | You may want to read this book, most likely because of your familiarity with his other pieces. You may know he is a very talented writer. This book lacks all of the direction and coherence that Wicked offered, however, and comes off as a confusing plumb-the-depths-of-whatever-soul Bildungsroman. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Wicked and how little I enjoyed this. Alas. | | Son of a Witch: A Novel by William Morrow Even better than his "Wicked ..." | Author Gregory Maguire begins this sequel with a striking parallel to L. Frank Baum's sequel to his "Wizard of Oz." Even if you do not know the seemingly unending sequels to the original Oz books, you will appreciate Maguire's dedication. (I won't spoil it for you here.) What happens next is a heartfelt, beautifully written second journey into a much darker Oz than we have ever seen in the original stories, but this we knew from "Wicked."
Liir, the title character, is clearly on a quest, one that I never found dull or tedious. Liir feels he is an empty shell and slowly discovers the resilience of his shell and his capacity to fill himself with life. Maguire realizes this search in his character with direct, honest writing, full of humor, beauty and life.
From the filth of a high-security prison in the Emerald City, to the brilliance of eternal Glinda, to the Thousand Year Grasslands, the scope of this Oz is huge and alive. Maguire has done his homework and most touchingly reveals his respect for the Land of Oz in side comments and in the depth of his characters.
Liir begins to appreciate life and relationships eventually and his thoughts and feelings towards the young Quadling woman, Candle and especially towards the enigmatic Trism are passages that are full of wonder and beauty. It was an eye-opening journey to try and see Oz through Liir's eyes.
The treatment of the Animals (as sentient creatures, vs. animals, dumb creatures) is also powerful and moving, especially if one thinks of the layers of our own society and how those in power work to subdue, segregate, oppress, etc., those not like themselves.
Of course, you have to be interested in another world, be it a fantasy or a parallel one. In Maguire's Oz, there are no easy answers or clicking of Silver or Ruby heels as ways out. Magic exists, but using it is as hard as growing up or falling in love. A beautiful, extraordinary book. | | Son of a Witch: A Novel by William Morrow "Wickedly" Wonderful | If Wicked was good for you you will enjoy this sequel so much!
highly reccomended, it made me become a fan of Maguire's work! | | Son of a Witch: A Novel by William Morrow disappointed | I typically love Gregory MacGuire's books, however this book was a huge disappointment.
This book was very slow moving..very little action. I never came to like and or care about Liir, sadly I was happy to see the book end. | | Son of a Witch: A Novel by William Morrow Product Description | The long-anticipated sequel to the million-copy bestselling novel Wicked Ten years after the publication of Wicked, beloved novelist Gregory Maguire returns at last to the land of Oz. There he introduces us to Liir, an adolescent boy last seen hiding in the shadows of the castle after Dorothy did in the Witch. Bruised, comatose, and left for dead in a gully, Liir is shattered in spirit as well as in form. But he is tended at the Cloister of Saint Glinda by the silent novice called Candle, who wills him back to life with her musical gifts. What dark force left Liir in this condition? Is he really Elphaba's son? He has her broom and her cape -- but what of her powers? Can he find his supposed half-sister, Nor, last seen in the forbidding prison, Southstairs? Can he fulfill the last wishes of a dying princess? In an Oz that, since the Wizard's departure, is under new and dangerous management, can Liir keep his head down long enough to grow up? For the countless fans who have been dazzled and entranced by Maguire's Oz, Son of a Witch is the rich reward they have awaited so long. |
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