I admit, I'm a bit disappointed. I think I went into this story with too many expectations and succinctly, was led down. I still enjoyed Dear Evan Hansen, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to anyone.
What struck me as the most peculiar was the sudden switch during the Epilogue- the writing style and overall arc of Evan just shifted into something quite unbelievable. Evan Hansen has a somewhat distinct voice, and then all of a sudden, it felt like the author was trying to wrap up the story as fast as possible by a very reflective look at Evan's graduation and taking a year off and it just felt like an entirely different novel. Evan is suddenly realizing all these things and honestly, it felt like those moments in horror movies when they get the only survivor to appreciate life and marry and stuff so the movie doesn't end with blood and gore.
The pacing also really wasn't for me. At times I had to drag myself through the story while at others things just seemed to happen with no reason whatsoever.
The characters weren't fleshed out - at all. Jared, Evan's "family" friend has no personality besides being a hacker - which is never explained or addressed - and making crude jokes about every woman that crosses his path. Been there, done that.
And while I did like Evan, I couldn't entirely relate to his anxiety because it was mentioned so infrequently, and only when it seemed to fit a certain scene, then to be forgotten for thirty pages. I know that this could be attributed to the fact that his anxiety lessens with the use of his medication, but it just felt very inauthentic. I also do understand how he kind of got roped into lying about his own letters, but he was so unfair to his mom and the grieving Murphys in the process that I could just not relate to that, at all.
All in all, this novelization just wasn't for me. I think I'll stick to the soundtrack for now.
Caron M, Bookseller
Mimi K, Reviewer
