Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel
written by Val Emmich with Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul
Dear Evan Hansen the musical is now being released as a novel, and whether you've seen the musical or not, this book is good. I read the book before I saw the musical, and the book is incredibly loyal to the musical, considering the involvement of the "creators of the hit show". But that's enough talk about the transition from musical to book. Let's dive in.
Evan Hansen is a mostly normal guy starting his senior year of high school, but with his social anxiety getting in the way of him building confidence and making friends, his therapist gives him an assignment to write letters to himself starting with a simple statement: today is going to be a good day, and here's why. But after a disastrous first day back at school, Evan writes a different kind of letter, one where he admits that today isn't that great, how he can't bring himself to talk to his crush, Zoe Murphy, and how he wonders if anyone would notice if he disappeared.
Since his next therapist appointment is after school that day, Evan prints the letter off at the school's computer lab where it is discovered by the school loner, Connor Murphy. Connor, seeing his sister's name on Evan's letter, is furious and steals the letter. Evan waits for his social downfall, but nothing happens. Evan is sure that Connor will out him and his letter, but Connor is strangely absent from school for the following few days. Evan is called into the principal's office and there he meets Connor's parents. Connor had committed suicide, and his parents found Evan's letter and now think that it is a suicide letter from Connor to Evan because it begins "Dear Evan Hansen" and is signed "Your most, best, and dearest friend, Me". Evan fails to correct them, and then the biggest snowball situation ensues where Evan's first lie turns into more as he tries to help the Murphy's by pretending that he and Connor were friends. And this lie spreads and grows bigger and bigger...
"Dear Evan Hansen, today is going to be a great day and here's why: because today at least you're you and, well, that's enough."
I gave away more premise then I would normally, but with a plot this rich and powerful, I thought it important to clarify what everything is based upon. It's a compelling plot, but what makes this story really special is that it explores subjects that aren't often explored. Dear Evan Hansen deals with suicide, belonging, and grief and sends a message that "no one deserves to be forgotten" and "you will be found". That it doesn't matter who you are, what you accomplish, or who you know, you still matter. Words fail to describe how funny, devastating, and loving this story really is. I read the whole book in a night, and I'm so happy that this novel was written so that this story can be shared further. Though once you read this book and inevitably listen to the musical's album, go back to this review and see how many references you can spot.
Sincerely, Me
I was fortunate enough to see the musical immediately proceeding my reading of the book and here are some pictures. Also #where'smiguel?
