Stuff I've Been Reading

[dr_tectonic]

I just finished reading Wicked. It's an interesting book, but I have to say that as far as I can tell, it has nothing to do with the story of the musical other than character names and source material. I think I will like the musical better, but I guess I'll find out next weekend.

I re-read the entire Sandman series recently. It flows a lot better when you read it all at once. You can see the ending implicit in the beginning, and note all the repeated themes and elements a lot more easily then when it's streched out. Definitely a classic.

I also read the first 50 issues of Books of Magic for the first time. It's a little uneven -- the story kind of skips and stutters here and there -- but it's a lot of fun. There's a pleasantly high proportion of sudden and unexpected left turns.

(We were supposed to find out about our lease situation today, but the landlord forgot to have his conference with the manager and the maintenance guy. Earlier on, I thought his motivations were monetary. I now realize that his motivations are rooted in the fact that he's an asshole.)

Comments

[ng-nighthawk.livejournal.com]

I liked Wicked (the book) quite a bit. I detest musicals, so I refuse to spoil my pleasant memories of the book with anything approaching that piece. I like that he made Oz into a place that has a fair amount of sophistication and the witch into someone who, through a clear progression, becomes both anti-social and esoteric enough to fit the Frank Baum character.

So when someone's motivations are rooted in the fact they are an asshole, does that mean their motivations are primarily selfish? Sadistic? Meglomaniacal? All of the above?

[goobermunch.livejournal.com]

I think his motivations are primarily the result of ignorance, stupidity, and bad manners.

But that's just me.

--G

[k8cre8.livejournal.com]

I also liked the book, but, I realized some of the parts I didn't like so well were because I thought they should've been done differently. But, beyond that, I enjoyed it. I think it might make a decent musical, but, well, I'm sorta picky on the musical front.

[dr-tectonic.livejournal.com]

The musical has very little to do with the book. You should listen to the soundtrack sometime; you can get most of the musical's storyline from that (I think, anyway), and I think it's a better plot, overall.

My biggest complaint about the book is that too many things were left unexplored and unexplained.