This book was very hard to get interested in. I never could get hooked. I finally gave up after a few chapters.

I was excited to read this story prior to seeing the show in September. I've read the play, and reading it in novel form offered new insights into the story. Sometimes the writing fell flat for me, but overall I enjoyed the story and situations presented in the plot.

This one cut right to the core. I have heard of the play. I know the actors. I've listened to snippets of the musical that's been released into mainstream. However, I was still not prepared for what I read in the pages of this one. Evan has written a letter that places him center of a families grieving process. He was once invisible and now is seen by everyone; thought to be the best friend of the one who has died by suicide. This book was a hard one to read. As an advocate of suicide prevention awareness this hit many many heartstrings. Even within the first page of the book I was both captivated and sorrowful. Trust me, bring tissues if you are going to read this one. I give it 4 1/2 stars only because at some points it was a little confusing to understand exactly what was going on.

I sought out this book from its original hype from Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli. What intrigued me even more about it was that it was not the usual. This is a novel written based off of a play, not the other way around like it usually is. I was skeptical but hopeful and was delighted when I enjoyed every bit. Though it's a bit unconventional, it definitely hit the mark.

Based on the Tony award-winning musical, Dear Evan Hansen explores social anxiety, suicide and the impact of social media to make instant celebrities of almost anyone.. As the first person narrator, Evan Hansen reveals his inner thoughts, flawed judgment and selfish, though sympathetic, motivations to readers. The other characters in the story, however, don't feel quite as fleshed out. The pacing dragged in sections and the writing was a little uneven, although some readers will be delighted to see a few of the musical's song lyrics used in the book.

For readers familiar with the play or musical score, Dear Evan Hansen the book might be enjoyed as a new way to revisit a touching story.

I got an ARC of this with some skepticism, mostly because like...is a YA novelization of a musical really necessary? I totally get the behind the scenes/making of type of book for musicals--I definitely remember poring over my copy of the Rent book before I was able to see the show live.

ANYWAY. I haven't seen Dear Evan Hansen but I have listened to the cast recording and generally like it, and I read the Wikipedia summary because just from listening to the recording I was like "oh wait what's happening?!"

So I started reading this and felt a little cringey, but in a way that seems fairly authentic to its social anxiety-ridden narrator, Evan.

And then things started happening from the POV of Ghost Connor and I was like WTF??? Is...is Ghost Connor in the musical??? I started asking a friend who has actually seen the show and she was like.......no. I described what all was happening in the book and she said it sounded like the book was trying to address criticism of the musical, namely that nobody actually knows anything about Connor. Except that it's kind of the point that nobody knows anything about Connor, so to set him up as this sympathetic queer ghost who killed himself because his kinda-boyfriend didn't text him back, which it turns out his kinda-boyfriend was just DOING YARDWORK AND DIDN'T HAVE HIS PHONE..........anyway it's a lot?????

I think it's also trying really hard to expand on Evan's POV about why he does the objectively shitty things he does, which...again I feel like the information we get from the musical itself is probably enough? You get the sense of how he's swept along with what's happening...I don't think we need a whole bunch more inner turmoil TBH.


IDK, this is fine. Teen fans of DEH are going to be hype for it. I'm not sure it stands on its own as a novel for readers who don't care about the musical?

I did not think that I would finish this book, but after I said I would not leave feedback it kept invading my thoughts so I decided to finish it, I was totally put off by the whole premise of the book - the lying and coverup of the lie by Evan, but I have to admit that the lie may have helped Connor's parents deal with their tragedy, and it probably was a catalyst to make change in Evan's life. Dear Evan Hansen might make for good discussions about honesty, lying, using social media responsibly, etc. in a high school setting.

STILL so relevant. And as great an experience as the musical! If a book is always better than the movie, it may be true that a book could be better than the play... So much more insight, detail, and meaning to healing.

It is so easy to relate to Evan and to Connor's book characters, I think because of the complex type of platform that a novel allows. Their book characters were well presented and very well developed. Mental health, especially suicide, isn't exactly an approachable topic, but Emmich wraps the importance of addressing mental health in a homely, comfortable, and even comical environment, making a difficult conversation instantly safe and palatable.

I don't want to be attacked, because I know a lot of people are raving about this book and story, but honestly I hated it. I found myself wanting to close it and stop reading, but I made myself finish it in hopes of liking it. That didn't work!
The book follows a boy named Evan Hansen, who is a highschool loner who has a lot of issues with anxiety. A boy at his school named Connor, who also has issues with being a loner, ends his life and it sets off a chain of events which end up involving Evan.
I won't give anymore details in fear of spoiling the story, but it just irritated me. I don't know that I would recommend the book unless you just want to read it for the experience of reading it.

Dear Evan Hansen,

Today is going to be a good day and here's why...

I was very excited to be selected by NetGalley for an advanced copy of the new Dear Evan Hansen novel. The novel follows the main story of the Broadway musical but there are some differences that actually make the story interesting. If you've seen the Broadway show or listened to the soundtrack the differences will be obvious, if you are still in the dark about the show, this book is amazing. The book is amazing if you've seen the show, it's just you'll notice the differences. We learn a lot more about a character that was very mysterious in the musical.

I think this book can open up a dialogue for classrooms and families. Suicide is something that is often a taboo topic but very important to speak about. The novel goes into the emotions of other characters in the aftermath and it really shows that hindsight is 20/20 but that even the smallest action can make a difference for someone that is struggling. Smile at a stranger, say kind words, and remember #YouWillBeFound.

I didn't like the way they tried to incorporate the song lyrics into the story line. It didn't feel as organic as it does in the musical. This is the only reason I took off a star and give it four out of five.

Sincerely,
Me

I absolutely love musicals. However, sadly, I have never seen any of the well-known ones live. So, I mainly listen to soundtracks or watch the movies, if available. One day while browsing GoodReads, like I do, I saw Dear Evan Hansen! I was super excited! I could finally read and visualize the description to these lyrics.

Dear Evan Hansen creates a narrative around the original lyrics of the musical. I like that the those responsible for creating a beautiful musical took part in creating this novel. I absolutely loved this book. Because I’ve only ever listened to the soundtrack, I kept waiting for the downfall to happen in the book. How far would socially awkward Evan take his story?

I know novelizations of movies/television/stageplays are famously rough, but this one felt different. In a good way. Reading Evan's anxiety, his crippling struggle with doing what is right versus what is easy when those lines are so blurred, really pulled me along through the story. It may not hold much literary merit, but this novel will certainly be popular among teens.

An amazing novel that quickly draws you into the mind of young Evan Hansen. A good reminder that we are not alone. No matter what we go through we are a part of the human condition and someone out there is going through exactly the same thing. I finished this book in a day.

As a huge fan of the Dear Evan Hansen musical and soundtrack, I was very excited to see this book pop up. Mental health is such a hot topic for young adults at this time. Dear Evan Hansen should reach a large population of young adults with its messaging. While some parts felt a little slow, and I was almost annoyed with Evan's drawn out conversations with himself, I totally recommend this book!

Fun read! Evan tells the story and we definitely see his insecurities, but it is very entertaining! As I understand it, the book fills in the gaps in the musical story! Very enjoyable!

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of DEAR EVAN HANSEN by Steven Levenson in exchange for my honest review.***

I’ve heard rave reviews about Tony award winning DEAR EVAN HANSEN, but the book didn’t work for me as well as I think the musical might have.

I had empathy for Evan’s anxieties and social issues, but more empathy for the people to whom he lied. Although his intentions weren’t malicious and at times may have been kind and not simply self-serving, I don’t think mental illness is an excuse for hurting others, on purpose or as collateral damage.

As a play DEAR EVAN HANSEN would probably keep my focus on Evan rather than the other characters. Clearly by the reviews others loved and related to the story, so read other reviews and make your choice.