You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
336 reviews for:
The Prom: A Novel Based on the Hit Broadway Musical
Bob Martin, Matthew Sklar, Saundra Mitchell, Chad Beguelin
3.67 AVERAGE
336 reviews for:
The Prom: A Novel Based on the Hit Broadway Musical
Bob Martin, Matthew Sklar, Saundra Mitchell, Chad Beguelin
3.67 AVERAGE
Please don't make me read the word "gaybies" in a book written in 2019. Or anything, for that matter
Overall...a cute story with major & important themes (discrimination, prejudice, & fear).
Things I Liked:
-the relationship between Emma & her grandmother (go grandma!)
-how the connection between Emma & Alyssa was expressed & described (super cute)
-the musical aspects!
Things I Liked:
-the relationship between Emma & her grandmother (go grandma!)
-how the connection between Emma & Alyssa was expressed & described (super cute)
-the musical aspects!
This was a really sweet, short book! I read it in one day because it was that easy to read - it wasn’t particularly gripping, or crazy, but it was a nice wholesome story about LGBT+ teens.
Some parts of it were a little repetitive or dull but I think it would be because it’s a book adaptation, I can definitely see how it would translate much better on the stage, with all the song references and big costumes.
Overall I enjoyed it! A very sweet little story about gay teens just wanting to be normal.
Some parts of it were a little repetitive or dull but I think it would be because it’s a book adaptation, I can definitely see how it would translate much better on the stage, with all the song references and big costumes.
Overall I enjoyed it! A very sweet little story about gay teens just wanting to be normal.
This is described as a "laugh-out-loud" and "hilarious feel-good novel" based on the Broadway musical... I struggled to find the humour.
While the story tackles some extremely difficult and 100% true issues facing young teens coming out to their parents, friends and local communities I was confused as to which universe I would need to exist in for this to be considered funny... maybe I missed the intention completely?
While the story tackles some extremely difficult and 100% true issues facing young teens coming out to their parents, friends and local communities I was confused as to which universe I would need to exist in for this to be considered funny... maybe I missed the intention completely?
'The Prom' is a novelisation of the fabulous Broadway musical of the same name, set in the conservative town of Edgewater, Indiana. (Seriously, listen to the cast recording to get some brilliantly catchy tunes stuck in your head! These lyrics are even intertwined seamlessly into the story.) Emma and Alyssa have been together for over a year and have vowed to go to prom together, dancing freely in front of all their classmates. Emma is out to her classmates but this will be Alyssa's opportunity to becomes her true self, particularly to her religious mother, who is also president of the PTA. However, when the PTA catch wind that Emma wants to bring a girl to prom, this causes divisions in the local community, not helped by the appearance of the flamboyant Dee Dee and Barry from Broadway, desperate for some good publicity...
I love the show but, much like the novelisation of 'Dear Evan Hansen', this helps to add some depth to the characters by allowing us to follow the plot from their perspective. In the show, especially one with a lot of music to cram in, sometimes the skew of attention can be towards the characters from Broadway. Here, they are slimmed down into only two characters and we follow the plot from the point of view of Emma and Alyssa in turn. This makes their relationship the true heart of the story. Emma experiences some horrific prejudice at home and school and this hits home in the novel. I definitely has a tear in my eye at moments, particularly during the events at the novel's close.
Overall, this is a great depiction of a really fun and poignant show. It contains an important lesson about acceptance and being true to yourself which will appeal to a broad audience. 4 glittering, prom night stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love the show but, much like the novelisation of 'Dear Evan Hansen', this helps to add some depth to the characters by allowing us to follow the plot from their perspective. In the show, especially one with a lot of music to cram in, sometimes the skew of attention can be towards the characters from Broadway. Here, they are slimmed down into only two characters and we follow the plot from the point of view of Emma and Alyssa in turn. This makes their relationship the true heart of the story. Emma experiences some horrific prejudice at home and school and this hits home in the novel. I definitely has a tear in my eye at moments, particularly during the events at the novel's close.
Overall, this is a great depiction of a really fun and poignant show. It contains an important lesson about acceptance and being true to yourself which will appeal to a broad audience. 4 glittering, prom night stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If you haven't watched the musical prior to reading the book, then you might think the book is fine. I really liked the book, and I've never seen a musical before. Alyssa's still a confirmed lesbian, she says so herself multiple times.
I did feel like the ending was a little unrealistic. These parents and kids were livid that this girl wanted to change all the rules of Indiana and bring her girlfriend to the prom, and a song that's not even that good is the thing that changes their mind? I don't know how I feel about that. It has that whole instead-of-talking-it-out-their-relationship-gets-ruined-by-a-simple-misunderstanding trope going on, which can be infinitely frustrating to read.
Other than that, I liked the book and I'm extremely picky when it comes to the literature that I consume.
I did feel like the ending was a little unrealistic. These parents and kids were livid that this girl wanted to change all the rules of Indiana and bring her girlfriend to the prom, and a song that's not even that good is the thing that changes their mind? I don't know how I feel about that. It has that whole instead-of-talking-it-out-their-relationship-gets-ruined-by-a-simple-misunderstanding trope going on, which can be infinitely frustrating to read.
Other than that, I liked the book and I'm extremely picky when it comes to the literature that I consume.
Wasn't familiar with this story prior to reading the book, I've found it quite enjoyable, albeit with an unrealistically happy ending. But hey, I'll take it. (Watched the movie afterwards, definitely preferred the book over it. I hate musicals so much...)