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madmollyann's review against another edition
5.0
I just loved this book. As a fan of the musical, it answered all of my many questions about the choices in writing and development. It was lovely to listen and read through the show and *almost* felt like I was seeing it again. (Which made me miss live theater even more.) I can’t wait to see this show again.
nina_rod's review against another edition
3.0
This audiobook was recommended to me by my online library. I put on hold an audiobook and the library said, these audiobooks are available now… One of them being Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette.
I thought it would be an audiobook about Alanis Morissette. I loved her. Her record came out when I was in college. I had the CD and loved all the songs on the album. She was also the first concert I went to.
However, the audiobook was a little bit about her and the Broadway play Jagged Little Pill. I remember when the play came to Seattle. I wondered if I should get a ticket, but then it sounded like it was a fictional play that just used her music in the background. I didn’t really get the concept and passed on the play.
So I was a bit miffed to find out this is what the audiobook was about. I was intrigued by the little bits of Alanis and the genius of her lyrics. But I was also pissed I got duped into listening to the fictional life of the Healys. I decided the audiobook was short enough and it was my first book of the year and to just finish it!
As I listened, I got to understand the musical more. I think if the musical came back to Seattle again, I wouldn’t pass on it now. The music of Alanis Morssette became the theme to drive this story of a family in crisis. And why shouldn’t it? The Gen X parents probably listened to Alanis Morissette while they were in college too and is one of the soundtracks of their life. I know I surely had this as my college years soundtrack. So when an Alanis Morissette a song would play on the radio, it would bring me back. But the lyrics are still valid and resonate today.
I figured this would satisfy a category my Seattle Public Library’s 10-to-Try challenge: A book about an artist. But it’s kind of a stretch. Is a musician an artist. Um, Yes. I would argue that. Is the book about that said artist. Um, not really. A little bit? But I decided this book qualifies. Prove me wrong.
I thought it would be an audiobook about Alanis Morissette. I loved her. Her record came out when I was in college. I had the CD and loved all the songs on the album. She was also the first concert I went to.
However, the audiobook was a little bit about her and the Broadway play Jagged Little Pill. I remember when the play came to Seattle. I wondered if I should get a ticket, but then it sounded like it was a fictional play that just used her music in the background. I didn’t really get the concept and passed on the play.
So I was a bit miffed to find out this is what the audiobook was about. I was intrigued by the little bits of Alanis and the genius of her lyrics. But I was also pissed I got duped into listening to the fictional life of the Healys. I decided the audiobook was short enough and it was my first book of the year and to just finish it!
As I listened, I got to understand the musical more. I think if the musical came back to Seattle again, I wouldn’t pass on it now. The music of Alanis Morssette became the theme to drive this story of a family in crisis. And why shouldn’t it? The Gen X parents probably listened to Alanis Morissette while they were in college too and is one of the soundtracks of their life. I know I surely had this as my college years soundtrack. So when an Alanis Morissette a song would play on the radio, it would bring me back. But the lyrics are still valid and resonate today.
I figured this would satisfy a category my Seattle Public Library’s 10-to-Try challenge: A book about an artist. But it’s kind of a stretch. Is a musician an artist. Um, Yes. I would argue that. Is the book about that said artist. Um, not really. A little bit? But I decided this book qualifies. Prove me wrong.
hannahjmeislahn's review against another edition
Audio book includes interviews from the cast but the audio quality is so bad it’s almost impossible to understand over background noise
leahhateshardbacks's review against another edition
5.0
A great book about Jagged Little Pill and the musical that was inspired by it. I had no idea JLP had been made into a musical, and while they're not normally my thing (except, obvs, Hairspray) JLP is one of my faves so I decided to give it a go. It is so in depth and comprehensive! There are the expected interview excerpts from cast members, producers, writers, choreographers, and Alanis Morisette herself, but there were sections about the initial reception of JLP, Alanis' career history, Alanis' influences and thought process behind the album, and of course, a very detailed focus on the story of the musical, and how it was created and developed from paper to performance. There are lots of difficult topics handled in the musical: addiction, sexual assault, isolation, navigating queerness, inter-racial adoption, heartbreak, academic pressure, anxiety, and climate change. What I really loved was that every topic was so thoughtfully researched and presented in a way that was comprehensible for someone completely unaware of the topic, and there were directions to further information services. What an amazing book documenting a well-produced musical based on a brilliant album by a talented artist. I hope one day this comes to the UK or gets recorded because I am so enthralled and fascinated with the story, characters, and historical influences that I am desperate to watch it now.
alexislynae's review against another edition
5.0
Read this in a handful of sittings. I was (shamefully) largely unfamiliar with Alanis Morissette's music prior to this show, but I have been absolutely obsessed with it for well over a year now. I knew this musical would have a good book, but I was unprepared for how good. Finally seeing how all of the songs fit together in the narrative was wonderful.
In general, this is just a gorgeous coffee table book. I have read many theatre books like this, and I think this one is definitely in my top two (the other being about Rent). The photography is amazing, the interviews with the cast and creatives are refreshingly in-depth, most of the songs are discussed in multi-paragraph detail, and Alanis's notes provide great insight into her original songwriting process. This is not filler, this is a must for anyone who loves this show.
In general, this is just a gorgeous coffee table book. I have read many theatre books like this, and I think this one is definitely in my top two (the other being about Rent). The photography is amazing, the interviews with the cast and creatives are refreshingly in-depth, most of the songs are discussed in multi-paragraph detail, and Alanis's notes provide great insight into her original songwriting process. This is not filler, this is a must for anyone who loves this show.
julietcs's review against another edition
4.0
I now want to see the show!!! UGH! Great book and made me soo excited to see the Broadway show!
jakeob26's review against another edition
5.0
I’m just so obsessed with the design and layout of this book. It’s so fun visually. Also the behind the scenes of the album and the musical were very interesting. Love this show! I’m sure it’ll get the Best Musical Tony (whenever that happens).