Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel

A heartfelt story that dives deep into themes of loneliness, friendship, and hope. The writing pulls you in, and it’s just as powerful as the stage version. Highly recommend for young adults and fans of the musical.

Thank you to TheNovl for sending me a copy of this to read and review. "Maybe he'll start climbing, one branch at a time, and he'll keep going, even when it seems like he can't find another foothold. Even when it feels hopeless. Like everything is telling him to let go. Maybe this time he won't let go. This time he'll hold on. He'll keep going." Words fail to express how amazing this book was and how I felt about it (pun very much intended. 😏) I'm just going to start off by saying this first, because it's probably what you're here reading this review for anyway. You MUST pick up this book when it comes out. If you're a big fan of the musical and you were sceptical of this novel, don't be, you'll adore it! If you've never listened to or seen the musical but you're interested and love the message, pick up this novel. If you are at all intrigued by the story or anything about this book or the musical, you will not regret picking up this novel! This PERFECTLY captured the musical, the story and the characters, especially Evan Hansen as this is his story. I really shouldn't be surprised since the Playwriter and the musical composers of DEH helped write this book but for whatever reason I was shocked and amazed. Evan's voice is so distinct in this and while I usually don't mesh well with first person point of view this was so perfectly written. I absolutely love how well the actual music and lyrics were threaded into this book. It's spread into dialogue and forms of actual songs in this world and other such things. It was just another way to perfectly capture the musical in novel form. Though I had to resist from bursting into song every time lyrics showed up. We also get so much more depth in the characters then I felt like we did in the musical. Especially if you just simply listen to the album. Specifically Evan himself, and Connor. If you don't see the musical we don't see much of Connor often but we get to learn about him in this book in a whole new way and it made it all the more special and emotional. We also got so much more into Evan's character and it was amazing. I know I've already mentioned the writing but it deserves all the attention! This book was so incredibly well written. It flowed well, it wasn't cringy, it was beautiful and I just loved it! There's so many important messages wrapped up in this book. I can't even begin to unravel them. I'm especially now at a time where re-listening and reading this novel, and seeing it come to life on these pages is something I needed. I've been struggling a lot and this story is a comfort in a way. It's raw and emotional and not necessarily a happy story. It doesn't have a necessarily happy ending either but it's real which makes it what it truly is and why I think the musical is so loved and what will make this book so loved. Basically you need to pick up this book as soon as you can. You will not regret it.

I LOVE DEH!!! Like embarrassing fan girl love. I also love reading. Like a lot. So when I saw that there was a Dear Evan Hansen book, I was over the moon. I have not actually seen the show yet, but have the soundtrack on repeat almost daily. I mistakenly THOUGHT this book was an elaboration on the play’s storyline and was really hoping to get a little more insight into the Connor character, to dig into Evan and Zoe’s connection... to peel back another layer of this fantastic story. But unfortunately, it’s not the musical adapted into a fiction novel, it’s literally the script for the play. GREAT for diehard DEH fans, but not so much if you’re looking for an actual story. It was great, and filled in the gaps in the storyline for me that aren’t in the actual songs which I really enjoyed. Even more excited to see it when it comes back to town now! Sooooo, if you’re hoping for a novel, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for the script, jackpot!

It all began with a letter to oneself that leads to a tangled web of lies ... but out of it comes a social discussion and movement with a powerful message that "you are not alone, and that you matter!" Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel is a more in-depth coming-of-age adaptation of the hit Broadway musical that examines the important social issues of mental health (anxiety, isolation, the struggle to belong, invisibility, self-importance, self-acceptance, depression) and suicide. Told in the alternating first person perspectives from high school seniors Evan Hansen (mental health issues) and Connor Murphy (suicide), the reader follows Connor's perspective of witnessing the aftermath of his death, and Evan's perspective as he tries to deal with his downward spiral after his letter to himself morphs into a tangled web of lies about being Connor's best friend, all done in the name of trying to fit in and help Connor's family deal with their grief. I saw the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen at the beginning of January, and it was such a profound story that had me feeling the full gamut of emotions as Evan and Connor's story unfolded. I applaud the author for adapting this amazing musical into an unforgettable book that everyone should read. While I loved the musical, it did leave me with some questions, and I am so glad that Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel went more in-depth into Evan and Connor's story, it cleared up a lot of the questions, and really made more sense. Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel is an emotional and inspirational story about serious social issues that affects everyone. Mental health and suicide are important issues that needs to have a perpetual conversation in our society. The story and musical's powerful message says it all: "you are never alone, you matter, and there will always be a tomorrow." *Note: At the end of the novel, there is an important listing of mental health and suicide prevention resources available.

I'm so glad I got this book. I hesitated, as I love the show and got to see it in NYC, but it's a wonderful addition to the musical. It also stands on its own as a good story. There's a lot more backstory about Connor especially that adds to the experience and explains his motives. I know the play was based on a real story (with changes). I really enjoyed here how the lyrics for songs were brought in seamlessly (though I think I was singing them in my head). It's a really inspirational story. Since seeing the play, I've wished that it was more available, and this is a great way to spread it. Though I'm going to see the national tour when it comes to Boston. Have you ever felt like nobody was there? Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere? Have you ever felt like you could disappear? Like you could fall, and no one would hear? Well, let that lonely feeling wash away Maybe there's a reason to believe you'll be okay 'Cause when you don't feel strong enough to stand You can reach, reach out your hand And oh, someone will coming running And I know, they'll take you home Even when the dark comes crashing through When you need a friend to carry you And when you're broken on the ground You will be found So let the sun come streaming in 'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again Lift your head and look around You will be found

I don't know what I can say about this - I am in absolute love with the novel. I have not seen the play, and only listened to the soundtrack after reading the book (I didn't want any spoilers). For those saying that they could not get hooked and had to actually close the book - I'm really not sure if you're reading it properly. The book goes into such great depths to personalize each of the characters that you feel like you're transported into the book and you're a classmate with Evan, or at times, actually him. Feeling what he's feeling, going with the emotions (the good, the bad, and the ugly). The book takes you on a journey that revolves around a lie (yes, a big one), and continues to build up until it reaches its breaking point. I had been waiting for what I dubbed "the drop" from when the lie was first spewed. And I kept reading with interest with where the story was going to go next...was it going to be found? Towards the end of the novel, that's where I let loose of all my emotions while reading...I released all of my emotions the same time Evan did. I wiped away tears from my eyes as I tried to read the last few chapters and as it all came to an end. What I will say is to make sure you read the "Epilogue" as well. There are a lot of loose ends that are tied that there helps put each of the character's - Evan, Jared, Zoe, the Murphys, etc. - stories to a complete close. If I could rate this more than five stars, I would. I would, without a shadow of a doubt, definitely recommend this to anyone that has been struggling or has struggled with mental health, feeling connected with anyone, or that just wants to read an amazing story for the fall (or any time of year). Don't trust in the negative reviews.

Not much of a reader but I absolutely loved every minute of reading this book.

When I saw the musical in October of 2017, I was swept into a story about friendship, anxiety, and finding yourself during disaster. Though I enjoyed reading Dear Evan Hansen, it is best as live theatre. This book is about Evan Hansen, a teen who is struggling with social anxiety. His therapist assigns Evan to write letters to himself. His note gets stolen and he gets wrapped up in false friendship that never existed with a boy in his school that commited suicide. Throughout the book Evan “just wish[es] that life, for once, for a day or even a few hours, would go smoothly.” The musical was so simple and raw, but the best part was the connection. I never felt that Evan was a bad person, just a good person in a bad situation. The lyrics of the music used wonderful imagery and metaphors for how Evan was feeling. When reading the book, it disappointed me. The story no longer felt as true. It seemed like a teen drama. The connection was gone. I even perceived Evan as a bad person, who was selfish and using a family in grief for his own happiness. He was ignorant to the situation at hand and made me angry. I found myself reading the book to spot lyrics or lines I knew were in the show to have a brief flashback to when I saw the story live. I imagined how I felt when I heard that line and how the scene looked. Also, [SPOILER ALERT] the addition of Miguel made the story feel more like a teen drama and made me feel Evan was even more of a phony. With the announcement of the Dear Evan Hansen movie, I hope they do not take the same approach as the book. I recommend this book to a young adult who did not see the musical and does not know the story. Without the knowledge of the musical, this story might be enjoyed. A.H.