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1jessicabearx's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Evan’s constant lying is frustrating and makes each chapter tense as you worry what he's going to get caught up with or try to get away with next. But that's the whole point of the story so can I really fault that. I wish Evan had faced the consequences for all his actions though, as he gets away with too many things that have ultimately caused others so much pain and frustration.
As a fan of the musical, I found this book added a lot to the story and overall experience. Definitely give it a read if you can!
Graphic: Suicide, Mental illness, Death, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Gaslighting, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Grief
Minor: Drug use
tays_dear_reader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Grief, Suicide, and Mental illness
Moderate: Self harm and Drug use
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Bullying
kriskelly's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’ve been a fan of the Dear Evan Hansen musical since it originally premiered on Broadway, so this book was highly anticipated for me to read. Overall, I was intrigued by this book, but there were some aspects I wish they improved on.
TW: suicide, anxiety, mental health
This adaptation of the story provides a new insight, with additional details that the Broadway production does not mention. One of the aspects that I truly enjoyed was how in depth they go with Connor Murphy - the character who ends his life. It was intriguing how there were multiple chapters from Connor’s perspective to step away from Evan Hansen’s point of view. Connor brings up a character named Miguel multiple times, which is exclusive to the book, but adds so much background. I wish they included more background on that in the musical adaptation.
Speaking of Evan Hansen himself, that’s one aspect of the book I disliked. Evan as a character is quite honestly not a good person. The main plot of this book is that he gets caught up in this lie about being Connors friend to comfort his family, but I’m more so convinced that it’s because he desperately wanted to be close to Zoe Murphy (aka Connor’s sister). One part of the story that particularly made me uncomfortable was this quote: “These flowers should be for Zoe, as a gesture of, well, my affection or whatever, but instead I’m giving them to her mother because she lost her son” (pg 100). How low could you go with that line? I’m not convinced that Evan is truly deserving of praise from his actions.
I have much more opinions, but overall, there are parts of this book that I think that could be improved. I would highly recommend watching the musical, as I liked that adaptation more than the book. But overall this was an interesting read!
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Self harm, Bullying, and Mental illness
catsandbooksarethebest's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
pippamillerxoxo_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Addiction, Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Drug use
caitlyn_drago_1226's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Death, Suicide, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing
saoirse_the_thespian's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Death
homulucy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Jared was the best character in this entire book. He’s so funny and blunt and Evan should’ve listened to him. His reaction to finding out how Evan broke his arm was pure gold.
You fell out of a tree. What are you, an acorn?
The best part of listening to the audiobook instead of reading the book were the additions of sung versions of Requiem and Only Us. It was a really sweet detail, that wasn’t necessary, but enhanced the overall experience of listening to Dear Evan Hansen. They should’ve done that with the other songs, because the other songs get translated into conversation in a way that I found oddly funny.
Overall, great for both fans and non-fans of the musical/movie.
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Self harm, Drug use, and Grief
mjenae's review against another edition
5.0
But that ending. I feel strangely calm now. Like how Evan must feel... like I've fallen with him, landed, and the only thing left to do is get back up.
Because you can't change the past, and you can't change how other people will react to it. But you can change the way you react. You can change the present—and maybe not just for yourself.
Maybe, even if the hand never came for you, you can be the hand reaching down to help someone up.
It's the least we can do, really.
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
jamiejanae_6's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Self harm, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Child death, Death, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Suicide