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A review by bookph1le
Dear Evan Hansen by Steven Levenson, Justin Paul, Benj Pasek, Val Emmich
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.
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.