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aimeebrand's review against another edition
3.0
It was fine. I'm sure the broadway show is better. I just needed to read it since I don't yet have access to see it live.
rhysdilwyn's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mhimegarner19's review against another edition
2.0
It was another book that I read many years ago but I remember some parts of the book. Those parts stick out to me but overall the book fault nothing special.
dogele's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
studioadina's review against another edition
2.0
Dear Evan Hansen,
You’re an awful person.
Sincerely,
Me
You’re an awful person.
Sincerely,
Me
ladytiara's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars.
I went into Dear Evan Hansen not knowing much about it. I'd heard of the hit Broadway musical, and the book sounded interesting, so I picked it up. I found the book very gripping at first, and I was quickly sucked into the story. But about halfway through, I began to feel very uncomfortable.
The premise is an intriguing one: Evan Hansen, a teen suffering from severe anxiety, gets involved with the family of a dead classmate after a (tragi-) comedy of errors leads the family to think he was their trouble late son's secret best friend. He gets sucked into their lives and then doesn't want to leave. He becomes a more confident person and sheds his anxiety. But everything he's doing is a lie, and I just couldn't get past that.
It's a mistake that causes the Murphy family to think Evan was their son's secret friend, but after that, Evan works hard to maintain the lie. He fakes emails, spins elaborate stories about the dead kid, and worms his way into the family's lives, all the while telling himself he's helping them. There were so many points at which he could have told the truth or backed away, but he doesn't and it made me really dislike his character.
I thought the book was pretty well written, but since the whole premise really bothered me, I think this book just wasn't for me. The concept probably works very differently on stage and maybe the issues I have with the book wouldn't be as much of an issue.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
I went into Dear Evan Hansen not knowing much about it. I'd heard of the hit Broadway musical, and the book sounded interesting, so I picked it up. I found the book very gripping at first, and I was quickly sucked into the story. But about halfway through, I began to feel very uncomfortable.
The premise is an intriguing one: Evan Hansen, a teen suffering from severe anxiety, gets involved with the family of a dead classmate after a (tragi-) comedy of errors leads the family to think he was their trouble late son's secret best friend. He gets sucked into their lives and then doesn't want to leave. He becomes a more confident person and sheds his anxiety. But everything he's doing is a lie, and I just couldn't get past that.
It's a mistake that causes the Murphy family to think Evan was their son's secret friend, but after that, Evan works hard to maintain the lie. He fakes emails, spins elaborate stories about the dead kid, and worms his way into the family's lives, all the while telling himself he's helping them. There were so many points at which he could have told the truth or backed away, but he doesn't and it made me really dislike his character.
I thought the book was pretty well written, but since the whole premise really bothered me, I think this book just wasn't for me. The concept probably works very differently on stage and maybe the issues I have with the book wouldn't be as much of an issue.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
eliseblackburn's review against another edition
4.0
For fans of the musical, never fear: This book sticks true to its source material. However, it is not nearly as beautiful. Written by the the people who created the show, this novel offers a more in-depth examination of the characters and story explored in the musical. Since the writers had to find a balance between following canon and making the story feel fresh, the biggest mistake a reader who is well-versed in the score could make is having too many preconceptions about the plot and characters. The story stays the same, but is told at a new depth, which compared to the musical can make the book's pacing seem slow. On the other hand, the novel provided a more complete and satisfying ending than the musical, since it tied up every loose end and not just the main one.
The most important conversation in the book is about being true to oneself, even if it means facing the harsh truth about one's own identity. Evan, the protagonist, struggles with an anxiety disorder and feels that he is beyond help. These feelings of shame perhaps cause him to go out of his way to provide comfort for others, even when it means lying to do so. But as the truth catches up to Evan, he has to face his own reality that he is losing the fight against his mental illness. Truly poignant, the themes of this book hit home and provide a platform for everyone who has ever felt alone to recognize just how universal those emotions are.
The most important conversation in the book is about being true to oneself, even if it means facing the harsh truth about one's own identity. Evan, the protagonist, struggles with an anxiety disorder and feels that he is beyond help. These feelings of shame perhaps cause him to go out of his way to provide comfort for others, even when it means lying to do so. But as the truth catches up to Evan, he has to face his own reality that he is losing the fight against his mental illness. Truly poignant, the themes of this book hit home and provide a platform for everyone who has ever felt alone to recognize just how universal those emotions are.
scmacey16's review against another edition
4.0
I loved it so much! One of my favorite books of the year!
valaurens's review against another edition
4.0
Este libro es increíble. Yo ya conocía el musical y fue excelente poder conocerlo más a Connor, a Evan, a todos. Lloré mucho en algunos momentos, porque en algunos momentos es demasiado real, demasiado pesada.
No la recomendaría para la gente que lidia con los mismos transtornos psicológicos de los personajes, ya que muchos momentos son tristes y triggering.
No la recomendaría para la gente que lidia con los mismos transtornos psicológicos de los personajes, ya que muchos momentos son tristes y triggering.
amykay_kenny's review against another edition
4.0
I really want to see the musical after reading the book. It was an interesting story, but I kind of missed the music.