Published: March 17, 2015
Pages: 208
Source: Gifted from Penguin Canada
Rating: 3.5 Stars
It’s Tiny Cooper’s turn in the spotlight in this companion novel to New York Times bestseller Will Grayson, Will Grayson.
Jazz hands at the ready! Tiny Cooper (“the world’s largest person who is also really, really gay”) stole readers’ hearts when he was introduced to the world in the New York Times bestselling book Will Grayson, Will Grayson, co-authored by John Green and David Levithan. Now Tiny finally gets to tell his story—from his fabulous birth and childhood to his quest for true love and his infamous parade of ex-boyfriends—the way he always intended: as a musical! Filled with honesty, humor, and “big, lively, belty” musical numbers, the novel is told through the full script of the musical first introduced in Will Grayson, Will Grayson.
Jazz hands at the ready! Tiny Cooper (“the world’s largest person who is also really, really gay”) stole readers’ hearts when he was introduced to the world in the New York Times bestselling book Will Grayson, Will Grayson, co-authored by John Green and David Levithan. Now Tiny finally gets to tell his story—from his fabulous birth and childhood to his quest for true love and his infamous parade of ex-boyfriends—the way he always intended: as a musical! Filled with honesty, humor, and “big, lively, belty” musical numbers, the novel is told through the full script of the musical first introduced in Will Grayson, Will Grayson.
In short: Hold Me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story by David Levithan is a brilliant musical script that would be highly entertaining as a musical theatre performance.
I'm kind of in awe that the musical that we only saw glimpses of in Will Grayson, Will Grayson has been completely fleshed out here in Hold Me Closer in multiple acts and scenes, and full musical numbers and soliloquies by David Levithan. I mean, of course I knew he was a very talented and prolific novelist who writes great characters and very quotable prose, but who knew that he had the ability to write a consummate musical production, complete with music index and stage directions in his wheelhouse? I should have known better because David Levithan has yet to disappoint me.
Impressive as this complete musical theatre script is, musicals are meant to be seen as a performance, not read without any melody. Perhaps someone with more musical talent than I could fill in the gaps and add tunes to the lyrics of the songs, but I was left simply to read it. I have no doubt however, that Hold Me Closer would make for a brilliant audiobook or a highly entertaining musical theatre performance! Hold Me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story is not only amusing, but I think also very inspiring. I recommend it, but I also highly recommend reading Will Grayson, Will Grayson first!
Other Reviews:
52 Book Minimum
So Many Books, So Little Time
Where the writer comes to write
Author Links:
Website
Goodreads
Oh is this book a sequel to Will Grayson, Will Grayson?
ReplyDeleteP.S: I haven't read Will Grayson, Will Grayson! :)
Haniya
booknauthors.blogspot.com
It's not so much a sequel as a companion. But I would still recommend reading WG, WG first!
DeleteOh is this book a sequel to Will Grayson, Will Grayson?
ReplyDeleteP.S: I haven't read Will Grayson, Will Grayson! :)
Haniya
booknauthors.blogspot.com
I loved Tiny Cooper! Totally stole my heart. I haven't read this one yet, but I too wondered how well it will translate as a written musical. Definitely on my reading list!
ReplyDeleteExcellent, I'm curious to read your thoughts on it!
DeleteI really want to read this one. I liked Will Grayson, Will Grayson, a lot and Tiny Cooper is a fantastic character. I think it would be great to see it performed though. :)
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you do! It's the next best thing to seeing it performed :)
DeleteI haven't heard of this before or the original story it comes from, but I like the idea of a book being a musical with musical numbers and all - it sounds so cool! I'm glad you enjoyed this one; I may have to check out Will Grayson, Will Grayson soon :D
ReplyDeleteIt was a pretty cool idea! WG, WG is a fantastic read, so I definitely recommend it!
DeleteI had no idea that this book was sorta like a sequel from Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Anyway, I'm sold on the idea. I love how it's a big musical and I hope they really do turn it into an actual performance, in particular I would prefer a movie so anyone from around the world can watch it.
ReplyDeleteOooh yes a movie! That would be a lot of fun :)
DeleteAmusing and inspiring sounds great for this one. I actually haven't read anything by him but I know I should
ReplyDeleteIndeed, I recommend his stuff!
DeleteGorgeous review Aylee :D I have not heard of this one before, though the cover is pretty gorgeous :) Don't think it sounds like a book for me :\ But I'm so glad you liked it :D And you do make it seem awesome, and you are making me curious about it. Hmph :) Thank you for sharing sweetie. <3
ReplyDeleteIt certainly won't be the kind of read for everyone, that's for sure! But I appreciated how different it was compared to the vast majority of books I read.
DeleteAaw, thank you for linking me. I'm pretty sure I've told you have sweet you are before. I have, now haven't I? WELL YOU'RE LOVELY. As if we didn't all know it.
ReplyDeleteSuper review, though, Aylee! You definitely hit the mark about this being amazing as a stage production, and an audiobook! I hadn't imagined that before, but it would be terrific. I, sadly, share your inability to imagine a tune alongside lyrics, so that definitely works to make the experience a little less all round, although it's a fairly hilarious and clever book all round. Here's hoping it'll be made into a touring production one of these days, though! xx
Awww, Romi STOP!! You're too kind :)
DeleteOooh yes, fingers crossed this gets turned into a touring production one day! Can you imagine getting to see Tiny Cooper come to life in such an extravagant way?! Perfection.
Aw, Aylee! I was smiling all the time that it took me to read your review as you took me back to Tiny Cooper's story that I read some time back. This is such a brilliant work, and like you said, David Levithan manages to make every book of his unique. I am so happy you liked this one! Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteSarika @ The Readdicts
:):) Thanks, Sarika! Tiny's story is fantastic!
Delete