"Son of a Witch" is a book written by Gregory Maguire and is a sequel to his previous work, "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West." The novel continues the story in the land of Oz, focusing on the character Liir, who is revealed to be the possible son of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. In this book, Liir is introduced as a young man who barely survived in the aftermath of Elphaba's death. He is haunted by his past and struggles with his identity as the possible son of a witch. Liir embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about his parentage and find his own purpose in a world overshadowed by political turmoil and prejudice. Throughout the novel, "Son of a Witch" explores themes of power, responsibility, and redemption.
During their flight, Liir and Trism become lovers. They eventually end up at the Cloister of St. Glinda, where Commander Cherrystone and the Home Guard besiege them. The mauntery is spared from attack because Glinda is staying there on retreat. With her help, they come up with a plan for the pair's escape: Liir will fly away on his broom, while Trism will leave with Glinda, disguised as her servant. Returning to the Conference of Birds, Liir flies about Oz, collecting and training a huge flock of Birds, which he leads to the Emerald City. Over the City, they fly in formation as a huge representation of the Witch, with Liir as "the keen black eye of the Witch."
Liir becomes convinced that Nor is in Southstairs, a subterranean city that operates as a maximum-security prison, and seeks the aid of Glinda, appointed acting ruler of Oz after the Wizard s departure. Son of a Witch continues the story after the fall from power of the Wizard of Oz and the death of Elphaba, Maguire s reinvention of the Wicked Witch of the West.
Throughout the novel, "Son of a Witch" explores themes of power, responsibility, and redemption. Liir faces various challenges and encounters a range of extraordinary characters, including Nor, a mysterious girl with equally mysterious powers, and Candle, a quadling boy who becomes Liir's closest companion. As Liir becomes entangled in the ongoing conflict between the Emerald City and the underground resistance, he confronts his own inner demons and grapples with the morality of his actions.
Son of a Witch - (Wicked Years) by Gregory Maguire (Paperback)
In this follow-up to "Wicked"--the basis for the Tony Award-winning musical--beloved novelist Maguire returns at last to the land of Oz and introduces readers to Liir, the small boy Elphaba leaves behind at her untimely death.
Book Synopsis
The Wicked Years continue in Gregory Maguire's Son of a Witch--the heroic saga of the hapless yet determined young man who may or may not be the offspring of the fabled Wicked Witch of the West. A New York Times bestseller like its predecessor, the remarkable Wicked, Son of a Witch follows the boy Liir on his dark odyssey across an ingeniously re-imagined and nearly unrecognizable Land of Oz--a journey that will take him deep into the bowels of the Emerald City, lately abandoned by the Wizard, and into the jaws of dragons. At once a grim fairy tale and an uplifting adventure, Son of a Witch is a true wonder.
From the Back Cover
In this captivating New York Times bestseller, beloved author Gregory Maguire returns to the land of Oz and introduces us to Liir, an adolescent boy last seen hiding in the shadows of the castle after Dorothy did in the Witch. Is he really Elphaba's son? He has her broom and her cape--but what of her powers? 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?
Review Quotes
"Maguire is full of storytelling brio . . . his Oz is meticulously drawn." -- New York Times
"A tale that adroitly mixes drama, humor, and political satire into a well-knit examination of good and evil." -- Library Journal
"Maguire has done it again: Son of a Witch is as wicked as they come. . . . Thoroughly entertaining." -- Boston Globe
"Maguire's captivating, fully imagined world of horror and wonder illuminates the links between good and evil, retribution and forgiveness." -- People
"As fantastical as a novel set in Oz should be." -- Entertainment Weekly
For Wicked: "I fell quickly and totally under the spell of this remarkable, wry, and fully realized story." -- --Wally Lamb, author of She's Come Undone and I Know This Much is True
"An amazing novel." -- --John Updike
"Save a place on the shelf between Alice and The Hobbit--that spot is well deserved." -- --Kirkus Reviews
From the Back Cover
The story also delves deeper into the complex political landscape of Oz, including discussions of the oppressive regime, the origin of the Animals, and the continuing impact of Elphaba's legacy. "Son of a Witch" raises important questions about the nature of good and evil, the power of belief and perception, and the consequences of choices made in the face of adversity. It further expands on the themes and motifs introduced in "Wicked" and sheds light on the multifaceted world of Oz. Overall, "Son of a Witch" is a captivating and thought-provoking sequel that offers a fresh perspective on familiar characters and explores new territories within the enchanting and complex world of Oz..
Reviews for "The Son of a Witch: A Battle Between Good and Evil"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Son of a witch" after loving "Wicked," but I was sorely disappointed. The plot felt disjointed and convoluted, with characters popping in and out without any real purpose. It was hard to follow and I found myself having to re-read sections multiple times just to understand what was going on. Overall, the book lacked the depth and complexity that made "Wicked" so captivating.
2. Mark - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "Son of a witch." The writing style was just not engaging and I found myself bored after just a few chapters. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and the story lacked any real excitement or intrigue. I was hoping for a sequel that would live up to the original, but unfortunately, "Son of a witch" fell far short of my expectations.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I found "Son of a witch" to be a major disappointment after enjoying "Wicked" so much. The pacing was incredibly slow and the story dragged on without any real direction. The protagonist lacked the charm and complexity of Elphaba from the previous book, and I struggled to connect with his journey. Overall, I felt like "Son of a witch" was a missed opportunity to continue the captivating and thought-provoking story that was started in "Wicked."
4. Daniel - 2 stars - I wanted to love "Son of a witch" as much as I loved "Wicked," but unfortunately, I found it to be a jumbled mess. The narrative was confusing and hard to follow, with unnecessary subplots and a lack of clear character development. The book seemed to rely too heavily on the success of its predecessor without bringing anything new or original to the table. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied with "Son of a witch."