The death of Elphaba Thropp, the Wicked Witch of the West, brings about spectacular
changes in this masterfully imaginative sequel to Maguire's 1995 blockbuster Wicked.
most notably, the startling possibility that Elphaba had a son. Scattered among the
ruins of great portions of Emerald City, many residents have been skinned and
bloodied, supposedly by the barbaric Yunamatas. Travel caravan leader Oatsie
Manglehand stumbles upon the body of an unknown young man, badly beaten but still
alive. She presents him to the wise Superior Maunt, who recognizes the hurt boy as
Liir, rumored to be the dead Witch's secreted son. A mute waif named Candle revives
him with her haunting, ethereal music and hidden affections. Meanwhile, Maguire
supplies alternating chapters of extensive, mesmerizing backstory of Liir's boyhood,
from the witch's watery demise, to the trek to the Wizard's Castle with Dorothy and
company, his search for the imprisoned princess Nor, and a long stint in the
Munchkinland Army, all while donning his mother's black cape and clutching her magic
broom handle. Along the way, a headspinning cast of vividly described, eccentric
characters emerges, but nothing prepares Liir for Candle's shocking surprise
announcement. Tucked into Maguire's enchanting fable are carefully calibrated object
lessons in forgiveness, retribution, love, loss and the art of moving on despite
tragic circumstances. Ten years after Wicked (which is still on Broadway), fans will
once again be clicking their heels with wonderment.

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