Reviews

Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich

earlysunsetsmp3's review against another edition

1.0

shoutout to this book for completely ignoring the musical canon

lotusgreenleaf's review against another edition

5.0

*inhaels*

*screams*

So it's a few weeks after I read this book, and I've had some more time to think about it.
It's
It's so sad.
It's way sadder than the musical.
I'm tearing up writing this revive.
This is going to be a long one, bear with me lmao

ALSO FOR ALL YOU IDIOTS WHO HAVEN'T CAUGHT ON YET

softsamflower's review against another edition

2.0

I read this book a long time ago but I remember I was very disappointed because I loved the musical, so I had very high expectations about the book, but it's not how I expected it to be. It's okay I guess, but wouldn't read again or recommend, it's way better the musical.

hmcdade's review against another edition

5.0

When the book comes out in October it is going to be just as successful as the musical!

This tale of an extremely shy teenager who becomes popular through misspoken words, bad choices and postings on social media, works on its own as a book. I have not seen the musical, so I am not sure how close the book follows the production—one day though. Definitely getting for my 8th graders and up!

artbymonimack's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

henrickl's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

3.5

If you’ve never felt anxiety, just read this book. The writing is true and raw, which makes you cringe. You can feel the words; the anxiety within your bones. And if you are aware of anxiety and depression, this book will let you know you’re not alone. While the novel appropriately depicts struggles with mental health, I found some parts of the novel annoying. The therapist… like what!? The dad in Colorado… 

katemarie99's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

3.5

Difficult but important... The musical made me feel so seen, in a way I'd never experienced before. The novel is similar, but I think it's become a painful kind of seen. An acknowledgement that I'm broken, but without a solution. 

borietveld's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I saw the musical in London back in the summer of 2022 and I loved it. I bawled my eyes out. And of course I had a big crush on Connor. So when I saw this book I knew I had to read it. But... at one point in the beginning I was like: it's only from Evan's perspective, I want to know more about Connor. And then the next chapter was from Connor's perspective. I loved those nine chapters he had. I just don't really like Evan. When reading the Sincerely Me scene the song kept playing in my head and because of that I had a hard time reading that scene. But overall, love Connor and Jared. So yeah, that is why the book gets 3.5 stars.

bookph1le's review against another edition

4.0

I had heard of the musical before reading the book, but the fact that it was a musical was the extent of my knowledge. I didn't know anything about the plot and have never heard any of the songs.

I admit I was a little hesitant when I started to read it, but I was quickly pulled into it. Evan is just such a human character, and I felt so much for him. I appreciated that his story was complicated, that he did bad things that appalled me, but that I could understand why he did them. I also appreciated that the book didn't give him an out or magically fix things, that there were consequences to his actions.

I think what really got me, though, was Evan's mom. As the mother of a teen myself, I can so relate to her, and though I understood Evan's point of view, I wished he had some insight into what she was going through. I can't say how much I appreciate it when media that's oriented at young adults also portrays adult characters as full human beings, with their own hopes, fear, dreams, hang-ups, and screw-ups. The ending left me sobbing.

This book just oozed humanity, and it made me wish I could reach out to everyone who feels insignificant, unloved, unseen, and assure them that their lives have value.

hannahprobst's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0