Dear Evan Hansen

by Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek (Lyricist), Justin Paul (Lyricist)

An original musical that explores the poignant desire for human connection in the tumultuous life of one young man. Evan is shy, lonely, and bullied for it―teeming with the irrepressible emotions all too familiar with anyone who's ever been a teenager. After a tragedy strikes, Evan's life suddenly gets turned around, but is it ultimately for the better?

Genres: Plays, Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Mental Health, Musicals, Theatre

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2017

Reviews

[Mary Lins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw "Dear Evan Hansen" on Broadway last week and the first thing I thought when it was over was: "I want to see it again!" Well, plane trips to NYC and ticket prices for this Tony nominated (9!) show preclude repeated viewings for me, so buying this book and reading the script while listening to the glorious soundtrack will have to do until it either comes my way on a road tour or is made into a movie. It's stunning, heartbreaking, thought-provoking AND hilarious!

The only drawback to reading this book instead of seeing the musical is that you'll miss Ben Platt's STUNNING portrayal of Evan Hansen. I've never seen anything like it and he will surely win the Tony. I was utterly FLOORED by is performance and I don't know how he can do it 8 times a week!

Can you tell I have ALL the love for this show?

[Geo Just Reading My Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Great show!
O lectură captivantă!
De câte ori nu am mințit fiecare dintre noi pentru a nu provoca și mai multă durere?
Asta face și Evan. Iar minciunile devin din ce în ce mai multe, se simte prins ca într-o capcană....
Evan este un tânăr ce suferă de anxietate, iar psihologul i-a recomandat să-și scrie în fiecare zi câte o scrisoare care să îl motiveze.
Ce te faci când scrisoarea îi e luată de Connor, un coleg de școală care se sinucide?
De aici începe povestea minciunii. Evan se dă drept cel mai bun prieten al lui Connor pentru a nu provoca și mai multă durere familiei acestuia. Deși, începe să realizeze că are mai multă încredere în el, socializează mai ușor cu cei din jur. Cu toate acestea minciuna rămâne!
Până când totul poate ieși la iveală. Ce va face Evan în acest moment?
O lectură interesantă, perfectă pentru adolescenți dar și pentru părinți.
Recenzia mea completă o găsiți aici:
https://justreadingmybooks.wordpress....

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a mess after finishing this book. I picked it up because I wanted more context to go with listening to the soundtrack, and I figured that at the rate I am going, I am never going to see the show (and unless a miracle happens, I definitely won't see it with Ben Platt, which makes me so upset because I knew I should have bought tickets last December and then I didn't) and this book did not disappoint. It's the script to the show, and I would listen to the soundtrack when the song would come up in the script, and there was just so much that I related to in the story and I really felt it deeply. I loved everything about it, and I recommend it to everyone.

[Rebecca Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is absolutely incredible. I love the music from the show, and getting to read this and understand the whole story made it a million times better. If you are unable to go to New York to see Ben Platt's fantastic performance, then this is definitely the next best thing.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You think you’re going to turn around all of a sudden and start telling everyone the truth? You can’t even tell yourself the truth.”

Honestly, what did I expect? Anything less than perfection from the script of a musical that is currently sweeping the nation and enrapturing the hearts of theater veterans and theater virgins alike?

With Broadway shows such as Hamilton and Wicked, their quality is undeniable. But with Dear Evan Hansen, the heart and message behind it is what makes it so freaking good.

“No one deserves to be forgotten.”

A lot of people know that this show is about suicide, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about the truth being distorted, about mental illness, and how media and culture portray and handle things like suicide. This show isn’t just about Connor’s death; it’s about how the people left behind handle it, whether that be his family mourning or his ‘friends’ using his death to raise awareness (and money).

“What if ev’ryone knew?/Would they like what they saw?/Or would they hate it too?”

The music from this show is so raw that even though I know the whole soundtrack by heart, I still listened to it while reading this. It made the show even more heart wrenching. You feel for Evan, you feel for Connor, and you feel for their friends and family.

Basically, you feel. And that’s exactly what a show, or it’s script is supposed to make you do.

I know this show isn’t for everyone, or Broadway shows in general, but if you have the time or the interest, pick this up. It’s worth it.

“You will be found.”

[Paula W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to see this twice on Broadway with the original cast -- both times before the Tony Awards where Ben Platt, Rachel Bay Jones, and the musical itself won darn near every award out there. And deservedly so.

Although reading this while listening to the cast recording helps, it in no way comes close to the gut wrenching, stellar performances that one gets to see at the live show. I will admit that I went to the first show fully unprepared to begin crying during the first song and almost never stop until the curtain call, but cry I did. So, I brought an entire box of kleenex the second time. I and the good folks in my row and the row behind me used it all up.

If you are not okay with crying in public, this + cast recording is a good option.

[Tessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

So let the sun come streaming in
‘cause you’ll reach up and you’ll rise again
If you only look around
You will be found

Well, I’m glad that’s over now. Maybe I have to see the musical in person to understand it better but the script itself is just horrible.

Evan is a terrible character. Yes, he may have a mental illness but that doesn’t justify his actions. The pack of lies he tells Connor’s family (and soon, the entire internet) is repulsive. Maybe he didn’t mean for it to end up like this. But claiming to be best friends with a person who just committed suicide EVEN THOUGH Evan didn’t even know him? To raise money (50,000 dollars!) to rebuild an orchard they apparently visited together? To date Connor’s sister even though all he does is lie to her face?

The more I read, the more I got pissed off. To treat a grieving family like that is a gruesome thing to do. The soundtrack was okay but I can’t see the appeal of the storyline.

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 3 out of 5]

***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.

[Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

guess what I picked up at the show last night?

[Isaac Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

dEAR LORDY THIS MUSICAL IS B O M B

[Mel Steadman Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing as there's no chance I'll ever be able to go to broadway and see this, and still no news of a UK tour, I have resigned myself to just reading the script and playing the soundtrack over and over again.
I just want to see Ben Platt and Laura Dreyfuss as Evan and Zoe.. Someone pay for me to go to New York please...



This musical has just touched me and I haven't even seen it. Just from the soundtrack and the script, I've built an obsession and I can't see it fading any time soon. This is up there on Harry Potter obsession level for me.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Half hilarious and half one continuous punch to the stomach. Amazing.

One thing about me, I am a huge fan of Broadway Musicals and I fell in love with the soundtrack to Dear Evan Hansen last year. I knew the story and since it's not likely I will ever see the show live (sobs) reading the screenplay was the closest thing for me I guess. I wasn't prepared. I was not prepared at all to sob the way that I did while reading this but it was worth it. It's a beautiful coming of age story with such a lovable and relatable main character. It deals with such heavy topics with such honesty and rawness that I commend Steven Lenson and he deserves all the success the show has garnered.

I really don't have anything else to say except to read it. If you haven't listened to the soundtrack do that too. You definitely won't regret it. Just be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster this will put you through.

[havies_tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words fail to explain how this book made me feel. I have been like Evan for as long as I can remember. Invisible. Anxious. Introverted. Awkward. Silently suffering.

It's odd to review a book that is supposed to encompass the feelings of being in school and all the struggles when I still feel like I'm there myself mentally.

I do think this book healed a little something within me, and I don't think I'll be able to get it out of my mind for a long time. Please give it a try if you've ever felt like no one was there 🫶🏻

[Brianna Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy the experinece of reading a libretto of a musical and listen to the soundtrack as I'm reading. Its the closest you can get to actually seeing the Broadway show cause really I will never know if I will get the chance to see the show. I thought Dear Evan Hansen was a raw powerful story......HOWEVER! I had a few problems with it. First the soundtrack. I didn't really like it very much there was a three songs (You Will Be Found, Words Fail, So Big/So Small) that i really loved and the rest was kinda meh for me. Second the story, liked it at first except Even Hansen. I'm sorry but if you lie to the whole freaking world about knowing a person to get attention and not get any consequences from it really really really aggravates me. I was fuming after reading the finale cause i was thinking...."That's It? Really".

So this was kinda a let down for me just cause of the story and maybe because it was also over hyped for me. If i ever get the chance to see it, I will probably give it a chance and maybe have a different opinion

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I read the script by mistake (instead of the novel) it was incredible. Such a complicated story about teenagers, suicide, social media, and trying to fit in. Can not wait to see the play in January!

[Dean Oken · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s truly hard for me to properly articulate how much this musical really means to me. When people think “musical” that think show tunes, dancing, romance cliches. That is not this musical. Because it’s not a musical, it’s the contents of my heart.

Dear Evan Hansen is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed, ever. And it is truly so hard for me to explain why it effects me so deeply. At its core, this story is the purest form of me. No shields, no safeguards, it’s everything in my heart that would tumble out if someone were to examine it. Every character, is me. Evan, constantly in a state of panic, obsessing and worrying about every single thing. Jared, who hides his insecurities in a facade of humor. And Connor, who is so lonely, so broken, so inept to humans, he kills himself. And yet somehow, they all come together to form my heart.

Believe it or not, DEH is actually a really hard thing for me to experience because it’s just so purely, me. That’s not something I like to do often, let down my guard and just, be. I cry when I listen to it, I cried when I got to see it, I’m crying now. So frankly, I don’t even know if this review is making any sense, who cares, I never make sense anyways. But this fucking masterpiece touches every single thing that’s ever effected me and it hurts in the most beautiful way possible. Suicidal thoughts, depression, self deprecation, anxiety, paranoia, insecurities, absent parents, loneliness, lack of family, lack of normality, chaos, self loathing, love, loss, and everything in between.

Does it hurt to have your heart cut open and laid out in front of you? Yes, it does. But at least you grow closer to yourself in the process. That’s why every time I read this script I make sure I’m home, alone, with only my tears.

#youwillbefound

[Alex Vivonia ﾟ･: * · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely brilliant story. Though I have been listening to the soundtrack for months, I know every lyric by heart, I am so glad to have finally the context surrounding the songs. Dear Evan Hansen is very unique and entirely realistic, yes there is an outrageous lie told that I have never seen happen in real life, but the setting and characters are so relatable to most people today. From a single parent just trying to breakthrough to their child, to the outsiders who feel forgotten.

To add to my reading experience, I would listen to the songs as they appeared in the story, and I have to say that's what blew my mind. I can't imagine how it is to see this live! I am not kidding when I say every single song made me start sobbing, like full blown ugly tears. There's just something about reading the lyrics while hearing the actors emotions shown through.

Overall I love this beyond words! I really hope to one day make it to one of the shows because this story has truly impacted me.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd give this way over 5 stars if I could.

I got a copy of this for Christmas and decided today to get in my Dear Evan Hansen emotions and read through it while listening to the songs when they came up.

I've listened to the soundtrack countless times this year and watched a bootleg of the OBC performance on YouTube so many times. I've been able to share it with others and get them in their emotions.

I love this musical with all of my heart and I want others to experience it. If you can't find a version to watch, but are curious about it, PLEASE pick this up. You won't regret it.

Now I'm all in my emotions.

[Celine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik vind het een beetje lastig om dit boek te raten, omdat dit het script is van de musical. Maar ik ben wel achter een trope gekomen waar ik echt een hekel aan heb (een verhaal dat draait om liegende personages).

De liedjes: 5*
Het verhaal: 3*
Conclusie: 4*

Edit: Toen kwam ik er ineens achter dat ik mijn reading challenge van 2019 had gehaald??

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a strange experience reading the script for a musical without having seen it or listened to songs from it beforehand.

As stories go, this felt pretty basic to me. I didn't find that moment where it all felt super relatable and that's not because my high school experience was amazing. It just didn't do much for me?

It didn't help that I found the conclusion rather unsatisfactory. I mean, I get that there's no right or wrong way for a parent to react to a tragedy of this nature. I'm glad Connor's parents found some comfort in the end... it just seemed weird that there were no real consequences for Evan's actions. The "reveal" that he related to Connor's struggle more than initially revealed didn't lessen my horror at the charade he kept up for an entire school year.

But, I'm sure the actual performance is great.

[Tyler McCubbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

All around, this is an incredible read. If you don’t have the soundtrack, I would highly encourage downloading, better yet PURCHASING, the soundtrack because it’s one that will be with us for years to come. The story is complex. The characters are very realistic. The plot is twisted, exploring the mind of a person who we as society are so easy to cast aside and shun because of the “abnormal”-ness. Embrace Evan. Feel something for his mother and for Connor’s parents. Wrap yourself up in the struggle that Zoe has/had with her brother Connor. Get mad at Jared. Get annoyed by Alana. In all, surround yourself with everything that’s inside Dear Evan Hansen.

[Mariel Harbor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dear Mariel, this is going to be a great review and here's why:

This was a beautiful play, but I'm glad I spent $16 on the script instead of hundreds for tickets and a trip to NYC.

There were certain lines and parts of this that struck me, but overall, this play was somewhat average. I enjoyed learning about the characters, envisioning how things were done on stage given the stage directions, and seeing how the story progressed and carried along with the music.

I think the overarching themes are extremely relevant to our current time period, but I think this play is just scratching that surface.

Sincerely, me.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. Book. - the story, the music, the style, just everything about it- was an absolute pleasure to devour. I neeeed to see the show in person one day, but I'm so glad that I was able to fill in the gaps of my prior understanding of the story and that I was able to read it in full. I loved listening to the songs along with reading the lyrics and felt that I was able to connect to the characters more by doing so.

[Aude Odeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

So... I've listened to the soundtrack probably a hundred times. I love this show, and reading the script to get the full picture was amazing.

It is amazing to see the play as it plays out. I can't wait to see this play when it eventually has a national tour but until then this will tide me over.

As for the story... It isn't easy to get through. But it is a message everyone should read.

[Abby Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This play was such an amazing read, I can't imagine what it would be like to see it live. So good.

[Leah Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE MOST WONDERFUL STORY PLS READ THIS OR WATCH THE MUSICAL OR LISTEN TO THE SOUNDTRACK THANK YOU

[Amelia Oswald · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I didn't cry while reading the script and listening to the soundtracks you did *sobbing*
[Keep repeating Dear Evan Hansen soundtracks because they're freaking awesome]

[Tristan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short- very amazing.

[Felice De Muzio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ho trovato questo libro scorrevole e semplice nonostante i temi trattati, quali il suicidio e l'adolescenza con tutta la sua miriade di problemi che si porta appresso, siano pesanti e difficili. Scritto, o meglio, tradotto semplice ma non banale. (Purtroppo per me) l'autore si limita a narrare le vicende senza entrare troppo nel dettaglio nelle emozione di Evan usando periodi semplici e brevi (forse) per rispecchiare il linguaggio degli adolescenti (semplice e diretto senza termini alla D'Annunzio) in modo che il messaggio arrivasse nel cuore del lettore subito e in maniera chiara, senza giri di parole. Potrei dire che è stato scritto come se fosse già la sceneggiatura del muscial con molti dialoghi e pensieri vaganti solo per le parti necessarie.
A proposito delle emozioni di Evan che arrivano e non, credo che sia dovuto dal fatto che, essendo un libro adatto a tutti (e per l linguaggio semplice di cui ho parlato prima e per le tematiche che, in un modo o nell'altro, hanno fatto riflettere tutti, nessuno escluso), debbano venir messe dal lettore in prima persona; il lettore deve immedesimarsi in Evan o in qualsiasi altro personaggio e cercare di vivere la vicenda come se fosse in un videogioco di ruolo. Io, personalmente, preferisco che vengano descritte le emozioni del personaggio perché mi piace leggerle, studiarle e metterle a confronto con le mie, ma sono gusti.
In conclusione, come dicevano i latini "De gustibus non disputandum est", quindi, personalmente, non è stato il miglior libro che io abbia letto. Però, come dico sempre, credo che ogni libro abbia da insegnare qualcosa e lascia un segno, anche il più misero dei segni. E questo, sicuramente, mi ha lasciato qualcosa come la consapevolezza di avere qualcuno su cui contare e di non essere mai solo nonostante tutto. Questo e molto altro che arriva dopo la lettura, o durante, quando si prendono dei minuti per riflettere sul libro nella sua interezza e ci si fa qualche domanda che, magari, prendono anche diversi giorni di riflessione. Dopo tutto, un libro va, sì, letto, ma anche studiato e interpretato in base alle sensazioni e all'esperienza di ognuno di noi, che ovviamente sono diverse per tutti. (in più è veloce, spendere due o tre giorni per leggerlo non farà altro che bene)

Grazie per l'attenzione.
Felice De Muzio

[Nath.L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un roman facile à lire qui plaira certainement aux jeunes « mal dans leur peau », en abordant des sujets actuels : anxiété, isolement, amitié, amour, indifférence, mensonge, homosexualité. La comédie musicale éponyme a fait fureur aux Etats-Unis, je ne suis pas étonnée au vu des sujets abordés et de l'intrigue.
Le héros se nomme Evan Hansen, il souffre d'anxiété sociale et de solitude. Il vit seul avec sa mère divorcée qui est souvent absente car elle est infirmière et suit des cours du soir dans l'espoir d'évoluer professionnellement. Son père a refait sa vie à 3000 km de lui. Il n'a pas d'amis, se sent transparent pour les autres lycéens et voit un psy qui lui demande de s'écrire une lettre par jour pour aller mieux.
Un jour, un autre « paria du lycée », Connor, lui vole la lettre qu'il vient d'imprimer au CDI. Evan est dévasté, que va-t-il en faire ? Ruiner son image sur les réseaux ? C'est en rencontrant les parents de Connor qu'il découvre l'horreur : Connor s'est suicidé et ses parents sont persuadés que cette lettre, retrouvée sur le corps, témoigne de leur amitié… Comment nier un fait qui les ferait sombrer davantage dans la souffrance ? Il sent que Cynthia et Larry s'accrochent à cet espoir… un mensonge qui ferait du bien n'est pas si grave … D'autant plus que depuis peu, tout le monde a l'air de s'intéresser plus à lui ! et surtout la charmante Zoé ! Mais peut-on vivre en mentant ?
Le récit en point de vue interne nous fait connaître les angoisses d'Evan, sa vie morose et sa dépendance aux médicaments pour prendre confiance au milieu des autres lycéens. Peu à peu, grâce au mensonge, il se transforme et nous découvrons la force des relations et la confiance que nous insufflent les autres au quotidien… A plusieurs reprises, Connor lui-même vient narrer sa propre existence pour exprimer son mal-être et raconter son histoire… le style est simple, fluide, l'histoire classique mais l'expression des sentiments des personnages principaux est intéressante : elle nous fait voir les faits sous différents points de vue et peut faire réfléchir celui qui se sent isolé…
Merci de m'avoir invitée à l'opération Masse critique et merci aux Editions Bayard pour cette lecture qui réjouira certainement les jeunes.