Search for x, and Google will sometimes ask you if what you really meant was y. Which is fine, with simple spelling mistakes and similar search results not at all uncommon. But what’s the point in it when there aren’t any results for y — when it is, in fact, not more likely that that’s what you meant?

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.