Book Review - 'Wicked: I Am Glinda' by Mary Man-Kong (Writer), Elsa Chang (Illustrator)

With the little golden (picture) book and 'Wicked' (part one) movie tie-in, 'I Am Elphaba', comes the companion book, 'I Am Glinda'.

As you would have guessed, it is told from the point of view of Galinda Upland, later Glinda, the "good". The shallow, superficial, spoiled, popular girl, figuratively and then literally bubbly, and the rival-turned-best-friend of Elphaba Thropp (and goddesses know that the film adaptation of the 'Wicked' musical leans towards, flirts with and teases something more to their friendship).

Like 'I Am Elphaba', 'I Am Glinda' is cute and charming enough, and very short. A few of the illustrations are the same as in 'I Am Elphaba', in telling the same basic story as the movie.

It's a sweet, pretty, pink thing. Not nearly as tragic as Elphaba's story, of course; Glinda is never made a victim or a villain. She makes her own choices, which are seemingly shallow and cowardly. Nevertheless she wants to help her Elphie.

One thing Glinda shares in common with Elphie: she tries. She keeps trying to improve, to legitimately help others (at least thanks to Elphaba's influence), and that's what counts.

There's not a lot for me to say about 'I Am Glinda', compared to my review of 'I Am Elphaba'. But that was me talking about my favourite fictional character ever, so the comparison, the biases, it's unfair, I know. I still enjoyed this one, however.

Hooray for 'Wicked', and magic and girl power and girl companionship! Complex female relationships, my pretties, fly all the way, with no limits!

Final Score: 3.5/5