Day: August 24, 2005

A sequel to Wicked? I’m not so sure that’s a good thing. There were things I loved about Maguire’s original book, but I also remember finding it strangely disappointing on some level. And, like rollick, I suspect the success of the Broadway musical played at least some part in his decision to pen a sequel. The last time I tried to read a book like that, it was the execrable Hannibal by Thomas Harris1. Just as I pass on film novelizations, I generally don’t choose to read sequels written solely because of a film of the first book2.

Which is not to say that Gregory Maguire’s upcoming Son of a Witch won’t be a great read — even if it is meant to inspire a Broadway sequel. There was plenty I loved about Wicked, and I’ve heard some good things about his follow-up novels3. I just — I dunno.

I guess I’m just trying to say: I’ve got a lot of other things I want to read before I go picking this one off the shelf.

1 This is somewhat unfair. While I have little doubt that it was largely thought of Hollywood that moved Mr. Harris’ pen, I never did finish the novel and, if tortured, would probably have to admit that what I did read was more painfully mediocre than truly bad. I did, however, enjoy both Red Dragon and The Silence of the Lambs, and, while I suspect it’s grown a bit dated, I’ve heard good things about Black Sunday.

2Even with the case of books that, truth be told, I liked better than the movie. (Although, in this case, I pretty much gave up reading Michael Crichton altogether some years ago. Even before he apparently became über-right-wing hack.)

3Although, I’ve also heard some good things about Harris’ Hannibal, so, y’know, there’s no accounting for taste.