Mini Review: W.W.W.O.M. Witches, Wizards and Winks?...Oh My! by Mary Puma

Title: W.W.W.O.M. Witches, Wizards and Winks?...Oh My!
Author: Mary Puma
Format: Paperback, 208 pages
Pub. Date: 2012
Source: Goodreads Firstreads


Book Description via Goodreads:

"A powerful, moving story of a woman who lived, lost and wants to live again."

W.W.W.O.M.is an 'authentic' autobiography from the Wicked Witch of the West who has been trying to get her true story out for centuries using the only form of communication available to her -- conduit authors.

The Wicked Witch knows the only path to obtain her freedom from purgatory, find restoration (and obtain a pulse again), is to break a curse as old as her translucent green skin. And unfortunately, she must pass through our level of existence to get there.

She has been attempting to punch through long before conduit authors L.Frank Baum and Gregory Maguire. Her truths have been misinterpreted, misunderstood and distorted more times than she cares to count...

Her latest conduit author is refreshingly accurate in her ability to translate an uncensored account of the Witch's life. (Don't mistake this remark as kindness...) for this witch, there is 'real' freedom in truth.

Review:

★★

Oh dear. I didn't much care for this one at all, so I'll keep my review quick. I was really excited to get a chance to review this, because I love the Wizard of Oz, and really enjoyed the book Wicked. However, this won't be added to my shelves any time soon.

First, on Goodreads, there are people labeling this book as young adult and children age range- NO. This book is chock full of profane language. While I'm an adult and not really offended by such language, it is definitely not a children's retelling. And honestly, even as an adult, I thought it was a bit over the top. It brought to mind the idea that those who can't speak well fill it in with swear words.

I hated the characters. They were each unlikeable. If this book was a way to try and get to know the wicked witch better in order to garner more sympathy or something, it definitely didn't work. By the end, I didn't really care what was happening to any particular character. The witch was mean and nasty, and honestly kind of trashy.

The writing was hit and miss for me. The beginning of the book was really boring and disconnected, but it picked up speed and my interest gradually.

This book did keep my interest enough to read until the end. I also really, really like the concept. I see what the author was going for, but for me it was too harsh. The concept and the fact that it held my attention are what let this book maintain its second star.

If you're a die-hard fan of Wizard of Oz, or are offended by sex, profanity, and violence, this is not the book for you. This is also not a children's story, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone younger than adulthood.

Thanks to Goodreads First Reads program for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.