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The Prom: A Novel Based on the Hit Broadway Musical
Seventeen-year-old Emma Nolan wants only one thing before she graduates: to dance with her girlfriend at the senior prom. But in her small town of Edgewater, Indiana, that's like asking for the moon.
Alyssa Greene is her high school's "it" girl: popular, head of the student council, and daughter of the PTA president. She also has a secret. She's been dating Emma for the last year and a half.
When word gets out that Emma plans to bring a girl as her date, it stirs a community-wide uproar that spirals out of control. Now, the PTA, led by Alyssa's mother, is threatening to cancel the prom altogether.
Enter Barry Glickman and Dee Dee Allen, two Broadway has-beens who see Emma's story as the perfect opportunity to restore their place in the limelight. But when they arrive in Indiana to fight on Emma's behalf, their good intentions go quickly south.
Between Emma facing the fray head-on, Alyssa wavering about coming out, and Barry and Dee Dee basking in all the attention, it's the perfect prom storm. Only when this unlikely group comes together do they realize that love is always worth fighting for.
Alyssa Greene is her high school's "it" girl: popular, head of the student council, and daughter of the PTA president. She also has a secret. She's been dating Emma for the last year and a half.
When word gets out that Emma plans to bring a girl as her date, it stirs a community-wide uproar that spirals out of control. Now, the PTA, led by Alyssa's mother, is threatening to cancel the prom altogether.
Enter Barry Glickman and Dee Dee Allen, two Broadway has-beens who see Emma's story as the perfect opportunity to restore their place in the limelight. But when they arrive in Indiana to fight on Emma's behalf, their good intentions go quickly south.
Between Emma facing the fray head-on, Alyssa wavering about coming out, and Barry and Dee Dee basking in all the attention, it's the perfect prom storm. Only when this unlikely group comes together do they realize that love is always worth fighting for.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2019
215 people are currently reading
6,063 people want to read
About the author
Saundra Mitchell
29books545followersSaundra Mitchell is the author of SHADOWED SUMMER, THE VESPERTINE, THE SPRINGSWEET, THE ELEMENTALS and MISTWALKER. In non-fiction, she’s the author of the THEY DID WHAT!? series for middle grade readers. She’s also the editor of the YA anthology DEFY THE DARK. IN 2018, HarlequinTEEN will publish her next anthology, ALL OUT.
Writing as Jessa Holbrook, she published her first romantic contemporary YA with Razorbill, WHILE YOU’RE AWAY. In summer 2014, she debuted WILD, her first YA novel writing as Alex Mallory.
SHADOWED SUMMER was the 2010 winner of The Society of Midland Authors Book Award for Children’s Fiction and a 2010 Edgar® Award Nominee. It was chosen as a Junior Library Guild selection and an ALAN Pick in 2009.
Her short story “Ready to Wear� was nominated for a 2007 Pushcart Prize after appearing in Vestal Review Issue 27. Her short fiction and non-fiction has appeared in anthologies including A TYRANNY OF PETTICOATS, FORETOLD, GRIM, TRUTH & DARE and DEAR BULLY.
For twenty years, she was the head screenwriter and an executive producer with Dreaming Tree Films on their various teen filmmaking programs, including the largest teen filmmaking program in the United States, Fresh Films. They produced more than four hundred films from her screenplays, and she earned Academy Award eligibility ten times during her tenure.
In other arenas, Ms. Mitchell was interviewed by the New York Times and the BBC for her part in exposing the Kaycee Nicole hoax, and she’s been tapped by morning radio shows all over the United States as a guest expert on Urban Legends & Folklore.
In her free time, she enjoys fandom, studying history, papermaking, and spending time with her wife and her daughters.
Writing as Jessa Holbrook, she published her first romantic contemporary YA with Razorbill, WHILE YOU’RE AWAY. In summer 2014, she debuted WILD, her first YA novel writing as Alex Mallory.
SHADOWED SUMMER was the 2010 winner of The Society of Midland Authors Book Award for Children’s Fiction and a 2010 Edgar® Award Nominee. It was chosen as a Junior Library Guild selection and an ALAN Pick in 2009.
Her short story “Ready to Wear� was nominated for a 2007 Pushcart Prize after appearing in Vestal Review Issue 27. Her short fiction and non-fiction has appeared in anthologies including A TYRANNY OF PETTICOATS, FORETOLD, GRIM, TRUTH & DARE and DEAR BULLY.
For twenty years, she was the head screenwriter and an executive producer with Dreaming Tree Films on their various teen filmmaking programs, including the largest teen filmmaking program in the United States, Fresh Films. They produced more than four hundred films from her screenplays, and she earned Academy Award eligibility ten times during her tenure.
In other arenas, Ms. Mitchell was interviewed by the New York Times and the BBC for her part in exposing the Kaycee Nicole hoax, and she’s been tapped by morning radio shows all over the United States as a guest expert on Urban Legends & Folklore.
In her free time, she enjoys fandom, studying history, papermaking, and spending time with her wife and her daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 721 reviews
July 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this book! At first I thought it was a bit shallow because of all the prom thing, but when you go past that, this book really puts out a lot of issues like homophobia, how parents can be cruel to their children when they reveal themselves as not straight, religious fanatism and how dangerous and hurting can closed-minded people be.
Before going into details, I must say that I had no previous knowledge about the Broadway Musical this book is based on, so I cannot compare them.
The Prom is about a couple of girls, one of them lesbian and the other pansexual, that promise to each other they're going to go to their prom together. The thing is they live in Edgewater, a lost town in the middle of Indiana and that, fun fact, was the last State in the US to legalize same-sex marriage. But anyway, Emma is out already, but Alyssa (who's pansexual) is not and is struggling with it because her mom is the president of the Parent-Teacher Association and a very christian woman. Emma is waiting for Alyssa to tell her mom so they can go to prom, but Alyssa is really afraid of how her very conservative mother is going to react, so she keeps pushing back the issue.
One day, Alyssa's mother finds out that a lesbian girl is going to attend prom, so she creates new rules so no LGBT+ person can go to prom. And everyone is outraged because they think prom is going to be cancelled and they blame Emma. After all that, Emma, who has a YouTube channel, uploads a video complaining about the situation and she goes absolutely viral!
From that page on, the book is an absolute rollercoaster of emotions. You can feel everything Alyssa and Emma are feeling. They're sad, mad, outraged, disappointed, happy, then sad again. I think The Prom really depicts what is to live in fear of what other people think of you and how the stupid prejudices some people have can really hurt and deeply affect other people.
I loved how real all the struggles were in Alyssa and Emma's relationship. How can you truly love someone who's still hiding? But also... how can you judge someone for wanting time to come to terms and talk freely about who they really are? Their situation is really complex and it was hard to read. They were hurting each other but also desperately finding their way out of this mess together.
In the end, I loved everything about The Prom. I found it to be a really inclusive and eye-opening book with lots of real situations and emotions.
Before going into details, I must say that I had no previous knowledge about the Broadway Musical this book is based on, so I cannot compare them.
The Prom is about a couple of girls, one of them lesbian and the other pansexual, that promise to each other they're going to go to their prom together. The thing is they live in Edgewater, a lost town in the middle of Indiana and that, fun fact, was the last State in the US to legalize same-sex marriage. But anyway, Emma is out already, but Alyssa (who's pansexual) is not and is struggling with it because her mom is the president of the Parent-Teacher Association and a very christian woman. Emma is waiting for Alyssa to tell her mom so they can go to prom, but Alyssa is really afraid of how her very conservative mother is going to react, so she keeps pushing back the issue.
One day, Alyssa's mother finds out that a lesbian girl is going to attend prom, so she creates new rules so no LGBT+ person can go to prom. And everyone is outraged because they think prom is going to be cancelled and they blame Emma. After all that, Emma, who has a YouTube channel, uploads a video complaining about the situation and she goes absolutely viral!
From that page on, the book is an absolute rollercoaster of emotions. You can feel everything Alyssa and Emma are feeling. They're sad, mad, outraged, disappointed, happy, then sad again. I think The Prom really depicts what is to live in fear of what other people think of you and how the stupid prejudices some people have can really hurt and deeply affect other people.
I loved how real all the struggles were in Alyssa and Emma's relationship. How can you truly love someone who's still hiding? But also... how can you judge someone for wanting time to come to terms and talk freely about who they really are? Their situation is really complex and it was hard to read. They were hurting each other but also desperately finding their way out of this mess together.
In the end, I loved everything about The Prom. I found it to be a really inclusive and eye-opening book with lots of real situations and emotions.
August 19, 2020
I was provided an ARC of this novel by Penguin Teen, all thoughts are honest and my own.
Firstly, I wanted to say that I adored this musical and already was invested in Emma and Alyssa's relationship. I also thought it was interesting how lines from the musical were directly put into this novel. The writing was quirky and had that senses of humor to it. There were a few lines that were very awkward to me or just frankly poor sentences. Some of the slang used also got on my nerves such as "OG". There were also many jokes that felt super flat, in my opinion.
I typically stay away from looking at other reviews of a book until I write my own. But, this book I did look over something that I noticed and wanted to clarify. They change one of the character's sexualities from lesbian to pansexual. Some people are saying that the author just did this to add more representation. So it is something I wanted to ensure I mention in my review.
I enjoyed my reading experience because it reminded me of the musical. Honestly, if you are interested in an f/f romance with lesbian representation, I would highly recommend watching the Broadway musical instead. I think without my prior knowledge of the story, this would have fallen even flatter.
This does have some important themes nonetheless of sexuality, identity, romance, bullying, etc.
Firstly, I wanted to say that I adored this musical and already was invested in Emma and Alyssa's relationship. I also thought it was interesting how lines from the musical were directly put into this novel. The writing was quirky and had that senses of humor to it. There were a few lines that were very awkward to me or just frankly poor sentences. Some of the slang used also got on my nerves such as "OG". There were also many jokes that felt super flat, in my opinion.
I typically stay away from looking at other reviews of a book until I write my own. But, this book I did look over something that I noticed and wanted to clarify. They change one of the character's sexualities from lesbian to pansexual. Some people are saying that the author just did this to add more representation. So it is something I wanted to ensure I mention in my review.
I enjoyed my reading experience because it reminded me of the musical. Honestly, if you are interested in an f/f romance with lesbian representation, I would highly recommend watching the Broadway musical instead. I think without my prior knowledge of the story, this would have fallen even flatter.
This does have some important themes nonetheless of sexuality, identity, romance, bullying, etc.
November 6, 2021
Opinião brevemente
June 8, 2021
OMG! This book was just CUTE and BEAUTIFUL to read! I loved the musical, but the novel version was EVERYTHING! Emma knows better than anyone that Edgewater, Indiana, is not a great place to be gay. But she's had enough of high school homophobia, and is determined to take her girlfriend Alyssa, to prom. But when their classmates find out, the backlash exceeds Emma's worst nightmares. In Manhattan, Barry and Dee Dee are Broadway stars of yesteryear. Their new show has bombed, and they're desperate for the applause and attention they once had. Then they hear about Emma's problem, and decide to step in and create a prom for everyone. Suddenly, Edgewater is the centre of a national news story. As the drama queens of New York take over the town, chaos happens and the glare of the spotlight is brighter than anyone could have guessed. But all Emma and Alyssa want is to dance together, is that all they ask? A delicious, snazzy novel that filled with laughter, dreams, and love for everyone. A wonderful book that you should definitely read!
February 26, 2021
Po książkę sięgnęłam � oczywiście � ze względu na musical, na podstawie którego powstała oraz film muzyczny wyprodukowany ostatnio przez Netflix. Nie jest idealna, chociaż fajnie rozwija część wątków, dla których zabrakło miejsca w wersji ekranowej.
Różnice? Przede wszystkim jest dużo poważniej. O ile w filmie większość czasu antenowego dostały gwiazdy, tak tu schodzą one na dalszy plan. Książka skupia się na nastolatkach, ich orientacji, na tym jak są traktowane przez rówieśników czy rodziców. Dużo tu tematów religijnych oraz rodzicielstwa, no i negatywnych zachowań wobec społeczności LGBT+.
I tu właśnie mam problem: nie wiem, jak potraktować sposób przedstawienia pewnego rodzaju homofobii w tej książce. Dla zarysowania wątku: Emma, która powiedziała głośno o swojej orientacji, mierzy się z wieloma wyzwiskami w szkole, ale i w domu, z którego została wyrzucona przez własnych rodziców. Alyssa natomiast boi się przyznać, że jest lesbijką, bo wie, że złamie tym matce serce, wie, jaka będzie reakcja jej i znajomych. Z jednej strony można powiedzieć, że to dobrze, że autorka postanowiła pokazać również te negatywne podejście do osób homoseksualnych, że są wśród nas ludzie z bardzo ograniczonym i stereotypowym sposobem myślenia, że na takich też można trafić � zamiast romantyzować cały ten wątek i udawać, że życie jest piękne i różowe. Z drugiej jednak strony nie wiem, czy to nie przesada; czy pokazywanie tego wykluczenia, tego, że przyznanie się do orientacji niehetoronormatywnej jest czymś tak wielkim, że od razu wszystko się zmienia, traci się znajomych, a rodzina wyrzuca człowieka z domu i urywa z nim kontakt: czy tak przedstawione w książce wydarzenia nie utrwalą przypadkiem tych zachowań? Czy nie sprawią, że czytelnik faktycznie, gdzieś podświadomie, będzie uznawał homoseksualizm za inność ,zamiast traktować wszystkich ludzi na jednym poziomie? Przyznam, że mam problem z tym wątkiem, nie do końca wiem, co chciała przekazać autorka i muszę sobie jeszcze przemyśleć, jak powinno się to ugryźć i czy jest w tym wszystkim jakiś złoty środek.
Różnice? Przede wszystkim jest dużo poważniej. O ile w filmie większość czasu antenowego dostały gwiazdy, tak tu schodzą one na dalszy plan. Książka skupia się na nastolatkach, ich orientacji, na tym jak są traktowane przez rówieśników czy rodziców. Dużo tu tematów religijnych oraz rodzicielstwa, no i negatywnych zachowań wobec społeczności LGBT+.
I tu właśnie mam problem: nie wiem, jak potraktować sposób przedstawienia pewnego rodzaju homofobii w tej książce. Dla zarysowania wątku: Emma, która powiedziała głośno o swojej orientacji, mierzy się z wieloma wyzwiskami w szkole, ale i w domu, z którego została wyrzucona przez własnych rodziców. Alyssa natomiast boi się przyznać, że jest lesbijką, bo wie, że złamie tym matce serce, wie, jaka będzie reakcja jej i znajomych. Z jednej strony można powiedzieć, że to dobrze, że autorka postanowiła pokazać również te negatywne podejście do osób homoseksualnych, że są wśród nas ludzie z bardzo ograniczonym i stereotypowym sposobem myślenia, że na takich też można trafić � zamiast romantyzować cały ten wątek i udawać, że życie jest piękne i różowe. Z drugiej jednak strony nie wiem, czy to nie przesada; czy pokazywanie tego wykluczenia, tego, że przyznanie się do orientacji niehetoronormatywnej jest czymś tak wielkim, że od razu wszystko się zmienia, traci się znajomych, a rodzina wyrzuca człowieka z domu i urywa z nim kontakt: czy tak przedstawione w książce wydarzenia nie utrwalą przypadkiem tych zachowań? Czy nie sprawią, że czytelnik faktycznie, gdzieś podświadomie, będzie uznawał homoseksualizm za inność ,zamiast traktować wszystkich ludzi na jednym poziomie? Przyznam, że mam problem z tym wątkiem, nie do końca wiem, co chciała przekazać autorka i muszę sobie jeszcze przemyśleć, jak powinno się to ugryźć i czy jest w tym wszystkim jakiś złoty środek.
January 3, 2022
start the year with the novelization of your comfort musical for instant serotonin*
*you cry everytime lyrics from the musical is easter egg’d
*you cry everytime lyrics from the musical is easter egg’d
June 7, 2019
My review of The Prom is up on my blog now!
September 4, 2019
(3.5 stars)
| |
My stop on the official blog tour can be found and features a photo journal of the novel as well as a few mood boards. Review can be found at Booked J.
As always, a copy of this book was provided by the publisher or author in exchange for my honest review and/or participation in the blog tour. This does not effect my opinion in any way.
Before you all ask me: yes, the finished copy fixes the issue from the ARC where Alyssa Greene's sexuality was erased/changed. When I scheduled my stop on the blog tour, I wasn't initially aware of the controversy surrounding the changing of Alyssa Greene's sexuality from lesbian to pansexual. Alyssa states in her narration that she is a lesbian; as does Emma, as it should be. This kind of representation is very important. I have not read the ARC in which this erasure occurs.
That being said, your voices were very much heard and the issue that should have never happened to begin with has been fixed, thankfully. Representation matters and the fact that this was even questioned is frustrating. The Prom wouldn't be what it is without Emma and Alyssa, their relationship, and their identities.
Everyone who knows me knows that I'm a musical theatre person first and foremost. I've never loved anything like I love the stage and music. The Prom is one of those shows that feels like home and will always stir up emotions in me. There is so much to it that calls to me; Emma, Alyssa, their bond, the fact that its setting is not unlike my own hometown in Indiana. Everything about it sparkles.
I was a little worried about a novel based upon a stage production. I've never been the best with novelizations of scripts. Don't ask me why. I genuinely don't know, considering musicals and literature are my two passions.
The more that I thought about The Prom the more it reminded me how important it was to have this story out there in a way that will speak to those who desperately need it in their lives but aren't tuned into musical theatre. This is the representation so many needed. I thought the story itself translated sweetly to page, there are plenty of references to the production in its prose and I really appreciated that.
Some changes were hits, others were misses, but honestly? That's okay with me. Because at the end of the day, I still really enjoyed The Prom and its mix of honesty and fluffiness. Page after page, I found myself screaming about how soft I was for these characters and it truly gave me the warm and fuzzies. As a contemporary YA novel, there is something that just works about The Prom, and I can't stress that enough.
From the moments where your heart begins to ache for the characters, to the more heart-warming scenes, The Prom was a delight from start to finish. I only wish it were longer. In short, The Prom reminds us of the good and the bad in our world, life in a small town and most importantly what it's like to be young and in love.
My stop on the official blog tour can be found and features a photo journal of the novel as well as a few mood boards. Review can be found at Booked J.
As always, a copy of this book was provided by the publisher or author in exchange for my honest review and/or participation in the blog tour. This does not effect my opinion in any way.
Before you all ask me: yes, the finished copy fixes the issue from the ARC where Alyssa Greene's sexuality was erased/changed. When I scheduled my stop on the blog tour, I wasn't initially aware of the controversy surrounding the changing of Alyssa Greene's sexuality from lesbian to pansexual. Alyssa states in her narration that she is a lesbian; as does Emma, as it should be. This kind of representation is very important. I have not read the ARC in which this erasure occurs.
That being said, your voices were very much heard and the issue that should have never happened to begin with has been fixed, thankfully. Representation matters and the fact that this was even questioned is frustrating. The Prom wouldn't be what it is without Emma and Alyssa, their relationship, and their identities.
Everyone who knows me knows that I'm a musical theatre person first and foremost. I've never loved anything like I love the stage and music. The Prom is one of those shows that feels like home and will always stir up emotions in me. There is so much to it that calls to me; Emma, Alyssa, their bond, the fact that its setting is not unlike my own hometown in Indiana. Everything about it sparkles.
I was a little worried about a novel based upon a stage production. I've never been the best with novelizations of scripts. Don't ask me why. I genuinely don't know, considering musicals and literature are my two passions.
The more that I thought about The Prom the more it reminded me how important it was to have this story out there in a way that will speak to those who desperately need it in their lives but aren't tuned into musical theatre. This is the representation so many needed. I thought the story itself translated sweetly to page, there are plenty of references to the production in its prose and I really appreciated that.
Some changes were hits, others were misses, but honestly? That's okay with me. Because at the end of the day, I still really enjoyed The Prom and its mix of honesty and fluffiness. Page after page, I found myself screaming about how soft I was for these characters and it truly gave me the warm and fuzzies. As a contemporary YA novel, there is something that just works about The Prom, and I can't stress that enough.
From the moments where your heart begins to ache for the characters, to the more heart-warming scenes, The Prom was a delight from start to finish. I only wish it were longer. In short, The Prom reminds us of the good and the bad in our world, life in a small town and most importantly what it's like to be young and in love.
October 9, 2019
*** This review potentially contains both spoilers for the book and the musical. It's also quite a harsh, brutal review ***
Rating: 🌟🌟 (2/5 stars).
Uhm... BITCH WHAT? HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS EXISTED? ONE OF MY FAVORITE MUSICALS BEING ONCE AGAIN TURNED INTO A NOVEL? FUCK YES. CALL ME THE FUCK IN and I definitely just didn't order this (lol I totally did and when it arrives I'm going to read it as soon as possible). And then all my hopes and dreams got killed, destroyed, slaughtered by reading this dumpster fire of a book. God, I hated/hate this novel so much. What is this feeling so sudden so new? LOATHING. But here are all my complaints and reasons why I didn't like this book. And I'm sorry if I'm really harsh but this is truly how I feel. I'm sincerely like what the actual fuck was this. But let's get on with mymeanness opinions
uhmm... Barry never went to prom so why the hell would this be changed?
I also don't like how novel Emma literally thought some quite harmful things about Barry. Like how he is the gayest person she's ever met, like the stereotypical kind of gay. And also that he is the queeniest person she knows. I truly don't like this.
WHERE THE FREAKING HELL WHERE THE FUCK IS MY FAVORITE CHARACTER IN THIS MUSICAL? WHERE IS MY BAE? SERIOUSLY WHERE THE FUCK IS TRENT? Trent is in my opinion the best character in this musical but also he is the whole freaking reason why the teenagers turned around and became aware of their bigotry. So where is he? And why the fuck is he erased from this book?
Also where is my cutie, my girl Angie? Why is she also erased and not present in this novel? Angie is the whole reason how Emma gets her confidence and like self confidence from. Book Dee Dee shouldn't be allowed to use Angie's zazz line.
I'm also getting annoyed at the unnecessary irrelevant pop culture references. I'm so done and over that.
Barry calling himself auntie is a bit weird? It just makes him more of a stereotype.
I miss my Trent. Like he was so much better at reforming teenagers beliefs and he always had something sincere while I feel like book Barry and book Dee Dee are just super fake. Musical Barry & Dee Dee are soo much better and actually go through character development and learn from their mistakes. And besides Trent singing love thy neighbour is just the bomb.
Also Emma didn't turn gay, god. She was just always gay. She was born that way. I really don't like how the book only used the lines about Emma turning gay and erasing the line that she always was it.
Also why has only Shelby learned that she was bigoted? Oh and Kevin learned from his mistake too but why only those two? Because Kaylee & Nick learned it too in the musical. SO WHY THE FUCK DID THE AUTHOR CHANGE THIS TOO?
Besides this novel containing some homophobic or like passages that I truly don't like. As someone who is queer (bi), part of the LGBTQ+ community some lines or scenes put a bad taste in my mouth. And some things were simply offensive or harmful in my opinion. Like the only complain I also have about the musical is like how they used the word dyke in the reprise of changing live. This is still considered as an insult word to lesbian people. But the rest I think it's done wonderfully and respectfully. But unlike the musical, this book totally completely fails to do that. While the musical is so inspirational, beautiful, important and makes my little queer heart incredibly happy. But not the novelization of the amazingness that is the musical. I sincerely would say skip reading this book, listen to the perfection that is the musical and read better non offensive harmful queer books. Oh I also think this is very important to know and also shows why I'm not happy that Saundra Mitchell wrote this book. In the musical Alyssa Greene is gay, lesbian. This utterly canon and confirmed but in advanced reader copies/proofs/original version the author decided to make Alyssa Greene pansexual and totally erased her sexuality. This is just a big NO NO for me and also gives me the feeling that the author doesn't truly grasp the LGBTQ+ community. I know that the published version, the version you can buy (aka the version I read) changed well restored Alyssa's sexuality but it simply should have never even been changed in the first place. I truly don't like this.
Besides as a musical novelization this is really crappy and shitty. So many things have been changed or like freaking erased. In my opinion a good novelization of a Broadway show should follow the original content closely, answer questions the musical doesn't answer, adding little things, have some references or lines from the original product and the author should add their own touch to it. In my opinion, Saundra Mitchell almost completely failed to do this. I sincerely would have suggested that she should have looked at Dear Evan Hansen and how to do a YA novelization of a musical right since she absolutely didn't do that in my opinion. I do have to say that I really appreciated how Mitchell put quite some lines from the Broadway Show in her book. Everytime when I spotted one, it truly made me happy. But then she didn't even use to lines/references right at times. Like seriously was it so difficult and hard to use the lyrics of Unruly Heart when Emma made her second YouTube video that went viral instead of using the lyrics of dance with you? Was that really too much too asked?
Also how dare you to erase, remove Trent and Angie from the story? I will be truly upset about this for forever. Besides, I also don't like how Mitchell wrote Barry and Dee Dee. They're so much more likeable and better in the musical. Hell everybody is more likeable in the original.
Another complaint I have about this book, was the writing style. Quite a few times I was actually cringing about the sentences and words Saundra used. No book, how accurate it may be, should ever use the word OG.
I'm truly sad that this book made me so angry and filled me with rage and disappointment. I truly had high hopes for this book and I really thought I was going to love it but the opposite happened. I'm still super mad that there was no Trent. I'm seriously like HOW COULD YOU ERASE HIM?? Tell me why....
I did listen to the original Broadway cast recording while reading this book and I Byatt want to give it my eternal gratitudes because without this album I wouldn't have been able to finish this book. Singing along to the magnificent songs while reading this this thing I want to erase from existence, totally saved my soul. Also, my sincere apologies and condolences to the Broadway show, it's creators, it's actors/actresses and anybody else involved that this piece got butchered and shredded to pieces. I'm truly sorry.
So yeah, Go watch, listen to the musical this book is based on. I promise you that you'll love it and it is thousand times better than the dumpster fire piece of trash this book was. I know this is so harsh but the musical is one I really truly deeply love and hold dear. It's a story that's so close to my heart and I really hated how someone butchered, destroyed it. Seriously one of the very few things I do actually like about this book was the amazingness that was Emma's grandmother and the cover of this book which is stunningly beautiful. And one of these reasons is super superficial. Also, I went into this book excepting to really love it but that definitely didn't go as I had planned. The only reason I'm rating this book as a 2 star and not as a 1 star is because my heart can't handle that and it somehow feels I'm betraying one of my favorite musicals if I give it a one star rating. So I can't. My advice would be: Go listen to this beautiful musical, read every other well done queer book but just skip this one.
Rating: 🌟🌟 (2/5 stars).
Uhm... BITCH WHAT? HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS EXISTED? ONE OF MY FAVORITE MUSICALS BEING ONCE AGAIN TURNED INTO A NOVEL? FUCK YES. CALL ME THE FUCK IN and I definitely just didn't order this (lol I totally did and when it arrives I'm going to read it as soon as possible). And then all my hopes and dreams got killed, destroyed, slaughtered by reading this dumpster fire of a book. God, I hated/hate this novel so much. What is this feeling so sudden so new? LOATHING. But here are all my complaints and reasons why I didn't like this book. And I'm sorry if I'm really harsh but this is truly how I feel. I'm sincerely like what the actual fuck was this. But let's get on with my
uhmm... Barry never went to prom so why the hell would this be changed?
I also don't like how novel Emma literally thought some quite harmful things about Barry. Like how he is the gayest person she's ever met, like the stereotypical kind of gay. And also that he is the queeniest person she knows. I truly don't like this.
WHERE THE FREAKING HELL WHERE THE FUCK IS MY FAVORITE CHARACTER IN THIS MUSICAL? WHERE IS MY BAE? SERIOUSLY WHERE THE FUCK IS TRENT? Trent is in my opinion the best character in this musical but also he is the whole freaking reason why the teenagers turned around and became aware of their bigotry. So where is he? And why the fuck is he erased from this book?
Also where is my cutie, my girl Angie? Why is she also erased and not present in this novel? Angie is the whole reason how Emma gets her confidence and like self confidence from. Book Dee Dee shouldn't be allowed to use Angie's zazz line.
I'm also getting annoyed at the unnecessary irrelevant pop culture references. I'm so done and over that.
Barry calling himself auntie is a bit weird? It just makes him more of a stereotype.
I miss my Trent. Like he was so much better at reforming teenagers beliefs and he always had something sincere while I feel like book Barry and book Dee Dee are just super fake. Musical Barry & Dee Dee are soo much better and actually go through character development and learn from their mistakes. And besides Trent singing love thy neighbour is just the bomb.
Also Emma didn't turn gay, god. She was just always gay. She was born that way. I really don't like how the book only used the lines about Emma turning gay and erasing the line that she always was it.
Also why has only Shelby learned that she was bigoted? Oh and Kevin learned from his mistake too but why only those two? Because Kaylee & Nick learned it too in the musical. SO WHY THE FUCK DID THE AUTHOR CHANGE THIS TOO?
Besides this novel containing some homophobic or like passages that I truly don't like. As someone who is queer (bi), part of the LGBTQ+ community some lines or scenes put a bad taste in my mouth. And some things were simply offensive or harmful in my opinion. Like the only complain I also have about the musical is like how they used the word dyke in the reprise of changing live. This is still considered as an insult word to lesbian people. But the rest I think it's done wonderfully and respectfully. But unlike the musical, this book totally completely fails to do that. While the musical is so inspirational, beautiful, important and makes my little queer heart incredibly happy. But not the novelization of the amazingness that is the musical. I sincerely would say skip reading this book, listen to the perfection that is the musical and read better non offensive harmful queer books. Oh I also think this is very important to know and also shows why I'm not happy that Saundra Mitchell wrote this book. In the musical Alyssa Greene is gay, lesbian. This utterly canon and confirmed but in advanced reader copies/proofs/original version the author decided to make Alyssa Greene pansexual and totally erased her sexuality. This is just a big NO NO for me and also gives me the feeling that the author doesn't truly grasp the LGBTQ+ community. I know that the published version, the version you can buy (aka the version I read) changed well restored Alyssa's sexuality but it simply should have never even been changed in the first place. I truly don't like this.
Besides as a musical novelization this is really crappy and shitty. So many things have been changed or like freaking erased. In my opinion a good novelization of a Broadway show should follow the original content closely, answer questions the musical doesn't answer, adding little things, have some references or lines from the original product and the author should add their own touch to it. In my opinion, Saundra Mitchell almost completely failed to do this. I sincerely would have suggested that she should have looked at Dear Evan Hansen and how to do a YA novelization of a musical right since she absolutely didn't do that in my opinion. I do have to say that I really appreciated how Mitchell put quite some lines from the Broadway Show in her book. Everytime when I spotted one, it truly made me happy. But then she didn't even use to lines/references right at times. Like seriously was it so difficult and hard to use the lyrics of Unruly Heart when Emma made her second YouTube video that went viral instead of using the lyrics of dance with you? Was that really too much too asked?
Also how dare you to erase, remove Trent and Angie from the story? I will be truly upset about this for forever. Besides, I also don't like how Mitchell wrote Barry and Dee Dee. They're so much more likeable and better in the musical. Hell everybody is more likeable in the original.
Another complaint I have about this book, was the writing style. Quite a few times I was actually cringing about the sentences and words Saundra used. No book, how accurate it may be, should ever use the word OG.
I'm truly sad that this book made me so angry and filled me with rage and disappointment. I truly had high hopes for this book and I really thought I was going to love it but the opposite happened. I'm still super mad that there was no Trent. I'm seriously like HOW COULD YOU ERASE HIM?? Tell me why....
I did listen to the original Broadway cast recording while reading this book and I Byatt want to give it my eternal gratitudes because without this album I wouldn't have been able to finish this book. Singing along to the magnificent songs while reading this this thing I want to erase from existence, totally saved my soul. Also, my sincere apologies and condolences to the Broadway show, it's creators, it's actors/actresses and anybody else involved that this piece got butchered and shredded to pieces. I'm truly sorry.
So yeah, Go watch, listen to the musical this book is based on. I promise you that you'll love it and it is thousand times better than the dumpster fire piece of trash this book was. I know this is so harsh but the musical is one I really truly deeply love and hold dear. It's a story that's so close to my heart and I really hated how someone butchered, destroyed it. Seriously one of the very few things I do actually like about this book was the amazingness that was Emma's grandmother and the cover of this book which is stunningly beautiful. And one of these reasons is super superficial. Also, I went into this book excepting to really love it but that definitely didn't go as I had planned. The only reason I'm rating this book as a 2 star and not as a 1 star is because my heart can't handle that and it somehow feels I'm betraying one of my favorite musicals if I give it a one star rating. So I can't. My advice would be: Go listen to this beautiful musical, read every other well done queer book but just skip this one.
December 21, 2020
I watched the movie adaptation a few days ago, and while I enjoyed parts of it, I also had a slew of issues with it, varying from the lack of depth Emma's and especially Alyssa's story got and the way Alyssa needing to come out was handled, to the focus on the adults in the story, when the focus should have been on Emma and Alyssa. All in all, I wasn't the biggest fan of the movie.
And if you agreed on any of these counts, I can confirm the book is better. Because here, we do get a main focus on Emma and Alyssa - they both get POVs. And there's a lot more nuance in the story overall. So I mostly enjoyed this book! It was a quick read with a clear message, but I personally didn't think the tone and the content matched very well. Where the tone was very light-hearted, the content was often pretty heavy, and that was hard to digest because of the light tone.
CWs: (religious) homophobia, past abandonment by parents
And if you agreed on any of these counts, I can confirm the book is better. Because here, we do get a main focus on Emma and Alyssa - they both get POVs. And there's a lot more nuance in the story overall. So I mostly enjoyed this book! It was a quick read with a clear message, but I personally didn't think the tone and the content matched very well. Where the tone was very light-hearted, the content was often pretty heavy, and that was hard to digest because of the light tone.
CWs: (religious) homophobia, past abandonment by parents
May 31, 2019
lesbian erasure is NOT GOOD. not only does it hurt so many fans of this show but generations to come.
May 30, 2019
honestly i’m furious over the removal of Alyssa’s canon lesbianism. you can’t erase her core identity and characterization without wiping out her entire character arc. And to remove Angie and Trent? Trent is the reason the kids begin to have a change of heart. Angie helps Emma find the self confidence she didn’t have before. Removing them removes central parts of the story. It gives the story less depth and heart. It ruins a lot of the continuity. and to act like any of this is okay is absolutely ridiculous. Saundra this is not what the fans want. This is becoming more and more like terrible fan fiction which was the last thing we wanted
February 2, 2023
cute but its giving lazy ending its giving unfinished
June 25, 2021
This was the heaviest book I've read so far. The homophobia was everywhere. Close minded parents. And that's the saddest part of it 🙁 BUT IT'S A HAPPY ENDING🏳️🌈❤️🧡💛💚💙�
The more I flip a page, my heart gets heavier. It gave me a headache that I wanted to put it down. But instead, I let my tears fall down. I embraced every pain, painful words, because I wanted to find out what's gonna happen in the end. I never regret anything😊
I think this book should be read by parents. Not only those who have LGBTQ+ kids but everyone in general. Because, well, they didn't know maybe their kid/s is afraid to come out of the closet. This book speaks a lot. It has messages for everyone, every parents, to people.
I adore Emma and Alyssa's bravery. They fought for their rights, they fought their love for each other, they speak out. They found new family. Their friends on their backs. From a huge homophobia, I love how it turned out. Happy Pride! 🏳️�
The more I flip a page, my heart gets heavier. It gave me a headache that I wanted to put it down. But instead, I let my tears fall down. I embraced every pain, painful words, because I wanted to find out what's gonna happen in the end. I never regret anything😊
I think this book should be read by parents. Not only those who have LGBTQ+ kids but everyone in general. Because, well, they didn't know maybe their kid/s is afraid to come out of the closet. This book speaks a lot. It has messages for everyone, every parents, to people.
I adore Emma and Alyssa's bravery. They fought for their rights, they fought their love for each other, they speak out. They found new family. Their friends on their backs. From a huge homophobia, I love how it turned out. Happy Pride! 🏳️�
May 21, 2021
i've heard the musical is better but honestly the book felt like a really really bad joke
March 29, 2021
I loved the topic. I think we need more books like this one.
The subject broke my heart, damn. Emma, you are way more than a simple lesbian, you are you!
The subject broke my heart, damn. Emma, you are way more than a simple lesbian, you are you!
June 22, 2020
Two girls who want to go to prom together in a backwater town find trouble and chaos. Sadly, there were also things that were just unbelievable which lessened my liking for the book.
I just love books like this. We don't have prom here, so I am always looking for books that are about it. And this one was even higher on my OMG list when I found out it was about two sweet girls who wanted to go to the prom together. And the difficulties that followed.
Because this town doesn't like LGBT people. This town doesn't want them there. And Emma just wants to go to prom. I could feel that. And I was just heartbroken that all the things that already happened to her (her parents throwing her out of her home, bullying since then) only got worse and worse, and still she wanted to continue, because she also deserves to go to a prom. I just wanted to hug Emma so many times. Because things are hard and they get harder and harder, especially when prom happens and something awful happens. The poor girl completely falls apart and again I just wish I was there so I could hold her. No one deserves the things she went through. No one.
While I knew something was up with those Broadway stars I still enjoyed seeing them around, especially Barry was a favourite of mine. He really helped out Emma, he was there for her, and he made her feel like she wasn't alone. And I loved that they did everything they could for Emma and the prom. Sure, they had some egotistical reasons, but I know that at least Barry also meant it when he did all the things he did. Of course, I was a bit pissed when things came out. I expected it, but I was hoping it just wouldn't be true.
I was a big fan of Emma's grandma who was a kick-ass lady who didn't take crap from anyone and I loved how she helped out Emma, consulted with her if she really wanted something. She was just the sweetest and I am so happy Emma got to live with her.
I would have loved to see more romance between Alyssa and Emma. Now we have to rely on a lot of memories, and maybe a couple of moments.
I am glad that we saw POVs of both the girls, Alyssa and Emma. I have to say I was pulled more to the Emma POV. I don't know Alyssa is a sweet girl, but something was just not working with her for me.
I still don't get why people are afraid or angry at LGBT people. It isn't a disease, it isn't something bad, it isn't contagious. People should really be more open about things, and maybe read the bible a bit better and not just pick out the parts they like or that fit with their ideas.
However, there were at least three things that I found a bit too magical and which is why the book was almost a 4 star, but in the end there was enough to like so 4.5 star. I will put these under spoilers.
Now I can hear you say, but Mehsi what about those Broadway stars that coincidentally hit the town. I can believe that, I have seen some stuff in newspapers, mostly from the US though, where this stuff is possible. I don't know how, but Youtube is a powerful medium that can make stuff happen.
The ending was pretty sweet and I loved that there were second chances for many things (and no I won't spoil which ones).
I also LOVE LOVE the cover, it is so sweet and I love the purple colour.
All in all, in overall, I loved reading this one, it was a good read. I would recommend it.
I just love books like this. We don't have prom here, so I am always looking for books that are about it. And this one was even higher on my OMG list when I found out it was about two sweet girls who wanted to go to the prom together. And the difficulties that followed.
Because this town doesn't like LGBT people. This town doesn't want them there. And Emma just wants to go to prom. I could feel that. And I was just heartbroken that all the things that already happened to her (her parents throwing her out of her home, bullying since then) only got worse and worse, and still she wanted to continue, because she also deserves to go to a prom. I just wanted to hug Emma so many times. Because things are hard and they get harder and harder, especially when prom happens and something awful happens. The poor girl completely falls apart and again I just wish I was there so I could hold her. No one deserves the things she went through. No one.
While I knew something was up with those Broadway stars I still enjoyed seeing them around, especially Barry was a favourite of mine. He really helped out Emma, he was there for her, and he made her feel like she wasn't alone. And I loved that they did everything they could for Emma and the prom. Sure, they had some egotistical reasons, but I know that at least Barry also meant it when he did all the things he did. Of course, I was a bit pissed when things came out. I expected it, but I was hoping it just wouldn't be true.
I was a big fan of Emma's grandma who was a kick-ass lady who didn't take crap from anyone and I loved how she helped out Emma, consulted with her if she really wanted something. She was just the sweetest and I am so happy Emma got to live with her.
I would have loved to see more romance between Alyssa and Emma. Now we have to rely on a lot of memories, and maybe a couple of moments.
I am glad that we saw POVs of both the girls, Alyssa and Emma. I have to say I was pulled more to the Emma POV. I don't know Alyssa is a sweet girl, but something was just not working with her for me.
I still don't get why people are afraid or angry at LGBT people. It isn't a disease, it isn't something bad, it isn't contagious. People should really be more open about things, and maybe read the bible a bit better and not just pick out the parts they like or that fit with their ideas.
However, there were at least three things that I found a bit too magical and which is why the book was almost a 4 star, but in the end there was enough to like so 4.5 star. I will put these under spoilers.
Now I can hear you say, but Mehsi what about those Broadway stars that coincidentally hit the town. I can believe that, I have seen some stuff in newspapers, mostly from the US though, where this stuff is possible. I don't know how, but Youtube is a powerful medium that can make stuff happen.
The ending was pretty sweet and I loved that there were second chances for many things (and no I won't spoil which ones).
I also LOVE LOVE the cover, it is so sweet and I love the purple colour.
All in all, in overall, I loved reading this one, it was a good read. I would recommend it.
January 9, 2021
" C'est promis. Il n'y aura que toi, moi et une chanson." C'était une si belle lecture, même si les sujets abordés sont durs ça été fait avec justesse et très bien maîtrisé. Bref, j'ai adoré !
December 20, 2020
I was going to say that if you follow me on twitter then you're probably used to me talking about The Prom and my love of the Netflix adaptation, and then I remembered that I don't link my socials so we're gonna start doing that. Anyway, I love the adaptation that Netflix made, it was a rare hit for Mr. Ryan Murphy in my eyes but that's not what I'm here to review.
To mention the movie one final time though I was very disappointed in how little time I got to spend with Alyssa Greene, and when I remembered that Penguin had published this novelization focusing on Emma and Alyssa it seemed like the perfect remedy for all the things that left me feeling disappointed in the stage production. My first complaint is that this reads very young. Which, on one hand I do appreciate given the fact that it is a YA book and so often YA can teeter over into more adult content, but the writing here often felt very middle grade. Which again, isn't a bad thing I'm sure elementary school Monte would have ate up a book about two girls going to prom together, the issue for was that not only did the book feel very young but it also didn't do any of the things that I'd expect from a novelization exploring the teenage protagonists of this musical.
One of the complaints I've seen about the Netflix adaptation, and what I can assume is somewhat true of the stage production this is actually attempting to novelize, is the focus on the cast of adult characters. here though not only are the adult characters of the show minimized they also seem to be a compilation which feels like an odd choice made solely so the book could be written faster? But the novel actually spends very little time exploring Emma or Alyssa outside of what you might see in the show. Which is more of a problem for Alyssa because she gets very little stagetime and here the book I think royally fucks her over?
I also just couldn't tell you if Alyssa was actually supposed to be a Black girl. She has coconut oil in her hair and the girl on the cover is ethnically ambiguous so my gut is saying she is, but the fact that Alyssa continues to be minimized is just really sad to me as Black reader. I wanted to be able to understand more of her character and have something to her more than the solo she gets in the show. Here she just kind of fell flat.
Emma in the novelization is just... an awful person? She starts off by being really endearing, but then she decides to out Alyssa to Dee Dee and Barry for a reason that I couldn't quite place? Instead of like in the show the breakup being because Emma cannot continue to be with someone who isn't there for her it becomes this thing where she's attacking Alyssa for not coming out and saying "it's bad enough they know", it just left a bad taste in my mouth in a book where I knew the author wasn't going to do anything to make the happily ever after we get in the musical make sense in the novelization they'd crafted.
For younger readers I'd probably recommend this, for everyone else I'd just say to watch the musical and give this a pass.
To mention the movie one final time though I was very disappointed in how little time I got to spend with Alyssa Greene, and when I remembered that Penguin had published this novelization focusing on Emma and Alyssa it seemed like the perfect remedy for all the things that left me feeling disappointed in the stage production. My first complaint is that this reads very young. Which, on one hand I do appreciate given the fact that it is a YA book and so often YA can teeter over into more adult content, but the writing here often felt very middle grade. Which again, isn't a bad thing I'm sure elementary school Monte would have ate up a book about two girls going to prom together, the issue for was that not only did the book feel very young but it also didn't do any of the things that I'd expect from a novelization exploring the teenage protagonists of this musical.
One of the complaints I've seen about the Netflix adaptation, and what I can assume is somewhat true of the stage production this is actually attempting to novelize, is the focus on the cast of adult characters. here though not only are the adult characters of the show minimized they also seem to be a compilation which feels like an odd choice made solely so the book could be written faster? But the novel actually spends very little time exploring Emma or Alyssa outside of what you might see in the show. Which is more of a problem for Alyssa because she gets very little stagetime and here the book I think royally fucks her over?
I also just couldn't tell you if Alyssa was actually supposed to be a Black girl. She has coconut oil in her hair and the girl on the cover is ethnically ambiguous so my gut is saying she is, but the fact that Alyssa continues to be minimized is just really sad to me as Black reader. I wanted to be able to understand more of her character and have something to her more than the solo she gets in the show. Here she just kind of fell flat.
Emma in the novelization is just... an awful person? She starts off by being really endearing, but then she decides to out Alyssa to Dee Dee and Barry for a reason that I couldn't quite place? Instead of like in the show the breakup being because Emma cannot continue to be with someone who isn't there for her it becomes this thing where she's attacking Alyssa for not coming out and saying "it's bad enough they know", it just left a bad taste in my mouth in a book where I knew the author wasn't going to do anything to make the happily ever after we get in the musical make sense in the novelization they'd crafted.
For younger readers I'd probably recommend this, for everyone else I'd just say to watch the musical and give this a pass.
October 20, 2023
Film był taki sobie, książka wypada lepiej, ale to wciąż chyba nie jest do końca moja bajka. Podoba mi się, jak ważne tematy porusza, ale mam wrażenie, że robi to bardzo powierzchownie, zabrakło mi tu jakiejś głębi. Plus za to, że tu bohaterki są na pierwszym planie i faktycznie nam poczucie, że to jest ich historia, a nie zapomnianych gwiazd Broadwayu.
Ale wciągnęła niesamowicie, nawet mi przez myśl nie przeszło, żeby odłożyć na bok i skończyć następnego dnia.
Ale wciągnęła niesamowicie, nawet mi przez myśl nie przeszło, żeby odłożyć na bok i skończyć następnego dnia.
March 26, 2021
I want to start of by saying that: no, Alyssa's sexuality wasn't erased. It wasn't changed to pansexual. Even though the author planned on doing so. I was really confused nevertheless when every review seemed to say that it was changed. Maybe those people haven't read this book properly but I eventually revisited my library only to check my point and boom Alyssa herself says it "[...] my being a lesbian still wouldn't be okay with her." So there's that. If this keeped you from reading this book you don't have to restrain yourself anymore.
But honestly this book was pretty average. You have to know that it was based on the Broadway musical the Prom and seemingly the team that worked on it possibly decided to project the formula of their musical onto a book and this is the result. Every 3nd Broadway show that wasn't based on a book already actually does this thing where they produce a book based on their show if their show was immensely successful.
Well, it was alright. It had no further potential to be groundbreaking, but it wasn't bad either. You just had a lot of "my dad left my mom for another woman and started a new family; my mom is super depressed and thinks if I, her daughter will be perfect - my dad would come back" or "my parents kicked me out because I'm a lesbian. I live with my grandmother."
You have all those very relevant social struggles but this book never digs deeper than just that, it just mentions all those crucial situations by the way and moves on and where the musical would have some fun dancebreak this book obviously has nothing. Even the homophobic villains, who are essentially Emma and Alyssa's classmates are (in the musical) convinced to be tolerant by a fun song Love Thy Neighbor and in this book... they are basically convinced the same way but without the music. This Broadway formula of ending Homophobia through a song usually only works in a Musical. It doesn't work the same way as a book. It just feels unrealistic and sort of cringy. (I have to say btw that the characters of Trent Oliver and Angie Dickinson were completely cut and everything they did in the musical was done by Barry Glickman in the book.)
Honestly this book is more or less a waste of time. Even the parts of it that feature Emma and Alyssa's sapphic relationship were written very superficial. If you really want to experience this story I would skip this book and listen to the Broadway/the movie adaptation's soundtrack, maybe watch the movie adaptation itself at your own risk instead.
On the other hand if you enjoy having your time wasted and don't mind superficial writing and just want a more or less short read, maybe you want to fill up your reading challenge quickly. I rated this book 3/5 because it did felt unnecessary but it was enjoyable to a certain degree nevertheless. In other words. Go for it! Have fun!
But honestly this book was pretty average. You have to know that it was based on the Broadway musical the Prom and seemingly the team that worked on it possibly decided to project the formula of their musical onto a book and this is the result. Every 3nd Broadway show that wasn't based on a book already actually does this thing where they produce a book based on their show if their show was immensely successful.
Well, it was alright. It had no further potential to be groundbreaking, but it wasn't bad either. You just had a lot of "my dad left my mom for another woman and started a new family; my mom is super depressed and thinks if I, her daughter will be perfect - my dad would come back" or "my parents kicked me out because I'm a lesbian. I live with my grandmother."
You have all those very relevant social struggles but this book never digs deeper than just that, it just mentions all those crucial situations by the way and moves on and where the musical would have some fun dancebreak this book obviously has nothing. Even the homophobic villains, who are essentially Emma and Alyssa's classmates are (in the musical) convinced to be tolerant by a fun song Love Thy Neighbor and in this book... they are basically convinced the same way but without the music. This Broadway formula of ending Homophobia through a song usually only works in a Musical. It doesn't work the same way as a book. It just feels unrealistic and sort of cringy. (I have to say btw that the characters of Trent Oliver and Angie Dickinson were completely cut and everything they did in the musical was done by Barry Glickman in the book.)
Honestly this book is more or less a waste of time. Even the parts of it that feature Emma and Alyssa's sapphic relationship were written very superficial. If you really want to experience this story I would skip this book and listen to the Broadway/the movie adaptation's soundtrack, maybe watch the movie adaptation itself at your own risk instead.
On the other hand if you enjoy having your time wasted and don't mind superficial writing and just want a more or less short read, maybe you want to fill up your reading challenge quickly. I rated this book 3/5 because it did felt unnecessary but it was enjoyable to a certain degree nevertheless. In other words. Go for it! Have fun!
January 28, 2022
4/5
"—𝑁� 𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑑𝑎, 𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑦 𝑒𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑎."
Me ha gustado muchísimo este libro, jamás había leído un libro chica con chica y este estuvo precioso.
Emma es una de nuestras protagonistas y es abiertamente lesbiana en su escuela bastante cerrada de pensamiento, le han hecho bullying y demás. Ella es novia de Alyssa, la hija de la presidenta del club de padres y pues, ella sigue estando en el armario. Ellas dos solamente quieren ir al baile como personas normales, porque lo son, pero algo ocurrirá que no estarán de acuerdo nadie de la escuela.
Es un libro con temas bastante controversiales, como lo es la homofobia, de verdad que me daba rabia leer los comentarios de mal gusto que todos hacían, mi pobre Emma quería desaparecer y yo solo la quería abrazar y decirle que no estaba sola. Ella conoce nuevas personas con las cuales no se sentirá tan apartada del mundo y te darás cuenta cómo es que ella y Alyssa crecen como personajes.
Un libro que siento que todos deben de leer y no puedo esperar a ver la película.
"—𝑁� 𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑑𝑎, 𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑦 𝑒𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑎."
Me ha gustado muchísimo este libro, jamás había leído un libro chica con chica y este estuvo precioso.
Emma es una de nuestras protagonistas y es abiertamente lesbiana en su escuela bastante cerrada de pensamiento, le han hecho bullying y demás. Ella es novia de Alyssa, la hija de la presidenta del club de padres y pues, ella sigue estando en el armario. Ellas dos solamente quieren ir al baile como personas normales, porque lo son, pero algo ocurrirá que no estarán de acuerdo nadie de la escuela.
Es un libro con temas bastante controversiales, como lo es la homofobia, de verdad que me daba rabia leer los comentarios de mal gusto que todos hacían, mi pobre Emma quería desaparecer y yo solo la quería abrazar y decirle que no estaba sola. Ella conoce nuevas personas con las cuales no se sentirá tan apartada del mundo y te darás cuenta cómo es que ella y Alyssa crecen como personajes.
Un libro que siento que todos deben de leer y no puedo esperar a ver la película.
September 25, 2019
Now I just really want to see the musical.
November 3, 2020
the musical is a lot better ngl
December 1, 2024
o mundo eh perfeito n existe maldade lulapresidente 2023
March 10, 2021
Der Schreibstil hat mir leider garnicht gefallen. Dadurch hatte ich wenig Motivation die Geschichte weiter zu lesen, was nicht der Geschichte geschuldet ist. Zudem habe ich deswegen länger gebraucht das Buch zu beenden.
Besonders interessant fand ich die Thematik in diesem Buch.
,,ɴᴜ� ᴅᴜ ᴋᴀɴɴs� ᴀᴜᴄʜ ᴇɪɴғᴀᴄ� ᴅᴀᴍɪᴛ ᴀᴜғʜᴏ̈ʀᴇ�, ᴢɪsᴄʜᴛ� sɪ�, ᴀʟs ɪᴄ� ᴋᴏ̈ɴɴᴛᴇ ɪᴄ� ᴍᴇɪɴ� ʜᴏᴍᴏsᴇxᴜᴀʟɪᴛᴀ̈� ᴋᴜ̈ɴᴅɪɢᴇɴ ᴡɪᴇ ᴇɪ� ɴᴇᴛғʟɪx-ᴀʙ�. (ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴍ)
Damit zeigt es einfach wie wichtig diese Thematik in unsere Gesellschaft ist. Deshalb ist es wichtig das wir andere Mensch für dieses Thema sensibilisieren.
Jeder Mensch hat ein Recht auf Gleichbehandlung.
~Charaktere: Emma mochte ich von Anfang an. Sie ist ein starke, mutige und liebende Person. Man merkt wie ihr Vergangenheit sie bis in die Gegenwart folgt. Auch dort muss sie immer noch Leid ertragen. Sie steht für ihre Werte und Überzeugungen ein, was ich unglaublich bewundernswert finde.
Alyssa fand ich zu Beginn der Geschichte nicht sehr sympathisch, doch im Verlauf bin ich immer mehr warm mit ihr geworden.
Wie ich finde eine schöne Charakterentwicklung. Die Nebencharakteren hatte ich gern mal die Augen geöffnet oder ihnen vor den Kopf gestoßen.
~ Handlung: Zu Beginn ist man gut in die Geschichte gekommen. Doch ab der Mitte hat das Buch für mich nachgelassen. Das Ende war für mich zu schnell abgehandelt und zu einfach gelöst worden.
~Fazit: Mir hat das Buch sehr gut gefallen, außer dem Schreibstil und ich finde diese Thematik sehr wichtig. Deshalb sollte jeder so ein Buch gelesen haben.
Ich gebe dem Buch 4/5�.
Besonders interessant fand ich die Thematik in diesem Buch.
,,ɴᴜ� ᴅᴜ ᴋᴀɴɴs� ᴀᴜᴄʜ ᴇɪɴғᴀᴄ� ᴅᴀᴍɪᴛ ᴀᴜғʜᴏ̈ʀᴇ�, ᴢɪsᴄʜᴛ� sɪ�, ᴀʟs ɪᴄ� ᴋᴏ̈ɴɴᴛᴇ ɪᴄ� ᴍᴇɪɴ� ʜᴏᴍᴏsᴇxᴜᴀʟɪᴛᴀ̈� ᴋᴜ̈ɴᴅɪɢᴇɴ ᴡɪᴇ ᴇɪ� ɴᴇᴛғʟɪx-ᴀʙ�. (ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴍ)
Damit zeigt es einfach wie wichtig diese Thematik in unsere Gesellschaft ist. Deshalb ist es wichtig das wir andere Mensch für dieses Thema sensibilisieren.
Jeder Mensch hat ein Recht auf Gleichbehandlung.
~Charaktere: Emma mochte ich von Anfang an. Sie ist ein starke, mutige und liebende Person. Man merkt wie ihr Vergangenheit sie bis in die Gegenwart folgt. Auch dort muss sie immer noch Leid ertragen. Sie steht für ihre Werte und Überzeugungen ein, was ich unglaublich bewundernswert finde.
Alyssa fand ich zu Beginn der Geschichte nicht sehr sympathisch, doch im Verlauf bin ich immer mehr warm mit ihr geworden.
Wie ich finde eine schöne Charakterentwicklung. Die Nebencharakteren hatte ich gern mal die Augen geöffnet oder ihnen vor den Kopf gestoßen.
~ Handlung: Zu Beginn ist man gut in die Geschichte gekommen. Doch ab der Mitte hat das Buch für mich nachgelassen. Das Ende war für mich zu schnell abgehandelt und zu einfach gelöst worden.
~Fazit: Mir hat das Buch sehr gut gefallen, außer dem Schreibstil und ich finde diese Thematik sehr wichtig. Deshalb sollte jeder so ein Buch gelesen haben.
Ich gebe dem Buch 4/5�.
January 11, 2021
Meine Meinung
Obwohl mir das Musical dieser Geschichte nicht bekannt war, stand das englische Original schon länger auf meiner Wunschliste. Als ich entdeckt habe, dass die deutsche Übersetzung von Heyne veröffentlich wird, war ich gleich ganz gespannt.
Eigentlich sind Emma und Alyssa zwei normale Mädchen, die sich auf ihren Abschlussball freuen. Eigentlich. Doch die beiden sind lesbisch � und das in einer schrecklich konservativen und religiösen Stadt, die LGBTQ* nicht zulässt. Als zwei Broadway-Stars davon erfahren, bringen sie einen riesigen Medien-Rummel in die Stadt, der das ruhige Örtchen in Schrecken versetzt. Und mittendrin stehen Emma und Alyssa, die nichts wollen, außer auf ihrem Prom miteinander zu tanzen�
Emma singt gerne, teilt häufig Videos davon auf YouTube und ist lesbisch. Eigentlich kein großes Problem, würde sie nicht Edgewater leben, wo Homosexualität eine Sünde ist. Sie ist eher unscheinbar, zurückhaltend und steht ungerne im Mittelpunkt, bis sie sich eher unabsichtlich outet und nun von fast der ganzen Stadt verstoßen wird.
Alyssa hingegen ist in der Schule beliebt, wunderschön und die perfekte Vorzeigetochter � aber nur, weil niemand weiß, dass sie auf Frauen steht. Sie liebt Emma, doch traut sich nicht, das öffentlich zuzugeben, vor allem weil sie ihre Mutter einfach nicht enttäuschen kann�
Beide Charaktere waren mir unglaublich sympathisch, vor allem weil die beiden so unterschiedlich sind. Emma ist wie gesagt geoutet und kämpft sich ziemlich wacker durch ihre Schultage, die häufig von Beleidigungen und Mobbing geprägt werden. Obwohl sie ungern im Mittelpunkt steht und nicht sonderlich selbstbewusst wirkt, bleibt sie stets standhaft und behält den Kopf immer oben.
Alyssa hingegen wirkt selbstbewusst und stark, während sie eigentlich etwas unsicherer ist. Sie ist nicht geoutet, traut sich das aber auch nicht, weil sie an Emma sieht, was dann passieren wird.
Ich mochte die Konstellation der Charaktere, da so beide Realitäten für Anhänger der LGBTQ*-Community dargestellt werden können. Einmal die, die offen mit ihrer Sexualität leben und dafür stets schreckliche Dinge über sich ergehen lassen müssen und dann die, die sich nicht trauen, sich zu outen. Beides Situationen, die der Realität entsprechen, was mir in Bezug auf die Darstellung sehr gefallen hat.
Trotzdem waren mir beide Charaktere abgesehen von ihrer Sexualität etwas zu flach. Ich mochte die beiden zwar, doch waren sie leider auch relativ austauschbar, was ich sehr schade fand.
Die Nebencharaktere sind ebenfalls oberflächiger gehalten. Da hätten wir einmal die zwei Broadway-Stars, die als glitzernde Sternchen wie Retter in der Not auftauchen und Emma beistehen. Sie kümmern sich ein wenig um sie, veranstalten aber auch (wie erwartet) sehr viel Show. Während das zwar ein interessantes Extra für die Story war und im Musical/Film bestimmt sehr beeindruckend ist, war es hier leider sehr oberflächig umgesetzt. Da hatte ich einfach noch mehr erwartet, mehr Show und mehr WOW-Effekt.
Andererseits tauchen Emmas und Alyssas Mitschüler*innen als Nebenfiguren auf und auch hier fehlte es mir ein wenig an Tiefe. Es sind ganz stereotypische Teenager und Eltern, die einfach dem typischen Klischee von wütenden, homophoben Menschen entsprechen. Sie haben ihre Funktionen gut erfüllt, mehr aber auch nicht.
Der Roman ist in der Ich-Form, jeweils aus Emmas und aus Alyssas Perspektive geschrieben, wobei Emmas Perspektive (aus meiner Sicht) tiefgehender und ausführlicher war. Der Schreibstil ist sehr locker und somit sehr angenehm und schnell zu lesen. Hin und wieder wird der Leser direkt angesprochen, wovon ich eigentlich kein großer Fan bin, doch hier hat es einfach gepasst.
Die Handlung ist genau das, was der Klappentext verspricht. Als Emma sich Tickets für den Prom kauft und heraus kommt, dass sie mit einer weiblichen Begleitung auftauchen möchte, stellt der Elternverband sich quer. Es wird gedroht, den Prom komplett abzusagen, was Emma nur noch mehr in die Schusslinie ihrer Mitschüler*innen setzt.
Wie hier mit der homosexuellen Protagonistin umgegangen wird ist erschreckend und absolut widerlich. Sie wird nicht mal wirklich als Mensch behandelt, wird benachteiligt, gemobbt und aus dem normalen Leben ausgegrenzt. Was für ihre heterosexuelle Mitmenschen absolut normal und selbstverständlich ist, wird ihr abgesprochen. Und all das stellt leider für viele Anhänger der LGBTQ*-Community die Realität dar, was es nur noch trauriger macht.
Während des gesamten Buches hat sich ein Knoten um mein Herz gelegt, welcher einfach nicht locker lassen wollte. Emma macht hier einiges durch, ihre Mitmenschen sind absolut schrecklich und uneinsichtig und all das hat mir einfach nur das Herz gebrochen.
Und genau deswegen finde ich das Buch und die Repräsentation in diesem super wichtig und habe es letztendlich auch sehr gerne gelesen. Die Geschichte zwischen Emma und Alyssa hat mich wirklich einnehmen und absolut fesseln können. Die Charaktere habe ich vielleicht als nicht tiefgründig genug bezeichnet, die Handlung ist es mitsamt ihrer Message aber auf alle Fälle.
Das Ende war mir ein wenig zu plötzlich, ein paar Entwicklungen sind mir zu schnell geschehen, trotzdem passte es zum Stil der Broadway-Vibes, weswegen es mich nicht großartig gestört hat.
Fazit
Ein sehr wichtiges Buch, das vor allem die Schattenseiten davon zeigt, was es bedeutet, zur LGBTQ*-Community zu gehören. Es zeigt, wie schnell Menschen verurteilen und wie schrecklich sie sein können, aber auch, dass Entwicklungen und Verbesserungen möglich sind. Gepaart wird das ganze von ein wenig Broadway-Vibes und meine Lust auf den passenden Film dazu ist auf jeden Fall geweckt!
Ein großes Dankeschön an den Heyne Verlag für die Bereitstellung eines Rezensionsexemplars!
Obwohl mir das Musical dieser Geschichte nicht bekannt war, stand das englische Original schon länger auf meiner Wunschliste. Als ich entdeckt habe, dass die deutsche Übersetzung von Heyne veröffentlich wird, war ich gleich ganz gespannt.
Eigentlich sind Emma und Alyssa zwei normale Mädchen, die sich auf ihren Abschlussball freuen. Eigentlich. Doch die beiden sind lesbisch � und das in einer schrecklich konservativen und religiösen Stadt, die LGBTQ* nicht zulässt. Als zwei Broadway-Stars davon erfahren, bringen sie einen riesigen Medien-Rummel in die Stadt, der das ruhige Örtchen in Schrecken versetzt. Und mittendrin stehen Emma und Alyssa, die nichts wollen, außer auf ihrem Prom miteinander zu tanzen�
Emma singt gerne, teilt häufig Videos davon auf YouTube und ist lesbisch. Eigentlich kein großes Problem, würde sie nicht Edgewater leben, wo Homosexualität eine Sünde ist. Sie ist eher unscheinbar, zurückhaltend und steht ungerne im Mittelpunkt, bis sie sich eher unabsichtlich outet und nun von fast der ganzen Stadt verstoßen wird.
Alyssa hingegen ist in der Schule beliebt, wunderschön und die perfekte Vorzeigetochter � aber nur, weil niemand weiß, dass sie auf Frauen steht. Sie liebt Emma, doch traut sich nicht, das öffentlich zuzugeben, vor allem weil sie ihre Mutter einfach nicht enttäuschen kann�
Beide Charaktere waren mir unglaublich sympathisch, vor allem weil die beiden so unterschiedlich sind. Emma ist wie gesagt geoutet und kämpft sich ziemlich wacker durch ihre Schultage, die häufig von Beleidigungen und Mobbing geprägt werden. Obwohl sie ungern im Mittelpunkt steht und nicht sonderlich selbstbewusst wirkt, bleibt sie stets standhaft und behält den Kopf immer oben.
Alyssa hingegen wirkt selbstbewusst und stark, während sie eigentlich etwas unsicherer ist. Sie ist nicht geoutet, traut sich das aber auch nicht, weil sie an Emma sieht, was dann passieren wird.
Ich mochte die Konstellation der Charaktere, da so beide Realitäten für Anhänger der LGBTQ*-Community dargestellt werden können. Einmal die, die offen mit ihrer Sexualität leben und dafür stets schreckliche Dinge über sich ergehen lassen müssen und dann die, die sich nicht trauen, sich zu outen. Beides Situationen, die der Realität entsprechen, was mir in Bezug auf die Darstellung sehr gefallen hat.
Trotzdem waren mir beide Charaktere abgesehen von ihrer Sexualität etwas zu flach. Ich mochte die beiden zwar, doch waren sie leider auch relativ austauschbar, was ich sehr schade fand.
Die Nebencharaktere sind ebenfalls oberflächiger gehalten. Da hätten wir einmal die zwei Broadway-Stars, die als glitzernde Sternchen wie Retter in der Not auftauchen und Emma beistehen. Sie kümmern sich ein wenig um sie, veranstalten aber auch (wie erwartet) sehr viel Show. Während das zwar ein interessantes Extra für die Story war und im Musical/Film bestimmt sehr beeindruckend ist, war es hier leider sehr oberflächig umgesetzt. Da hatte ich einfach noch mehr erwartet, mehr Show und mehr WOW-Effekt.
Andererseits tauchen Emmas und Alyssas Mitschüler*innen als Nebenfiguren auf und auch hier fehlte es mir ein wenig an Tiefe. Es sind ganz stereotypische Teenager und Eltern, die einfach dem typischen Klischee von wütenden, homophoben Menschen entsprechen. Sie haben ihre Funktionen gut erfüllt, mehr aber auch nicht.
Der Roman ist in der Ich-Form, jeweils aus Emmas und aus Alyssas Perspektive geschrieben, wobei Emmas Perspektive (aus meiner Sicht) tiefgehender und ausführlicher war. Der Schreibstil ist sehr locker und somit sehr angenehm und schnell zu lesen. Hin und wieder wird der Leser direkt angesprochen, wovon ich eigentlich kein großer Fan bin, doch hier hat es einfach gepasst.
Die Handlung ist genau das, was der Klappentext verspricht. Als Emma sich Tickets für den Prom kauft und heraus kommt, dass sie mit einer weiblichen Begleitung auftauchen möchte, stellt der Elternverband sich quer. Es wird gedroht, den Prom komplett abzusagen, was Emma nur noch mehr in die Schusslinie ihrer Mitschüler*innen setzt.
Wie hier mit der homosexuellen Protagonistin umgegangen wird ist erschreckend und absolut widerlich. Sie wird nicht mal wirklich als Mensch behandelt, wird benachteiligt, gemobbt und aus dem normalen Leben ausgegrenzt. Was für ihre heterosexuelle Mitmenschen absolut normal und selbstverständlich ist, wird ihr abgesprochen. Und all das stellt leider für viele Anhänger der LGBTQ*-Community die Realität dar, was es nur noch trauriger macht.
Während des gesamten Buches hat sich ein Knoten um mein Herz gelegt, welcher einfach nicht locker lassen wollte. Emma macht hier einiges durch, ihre Mitmenschen sind absolut schrecklich und uneinsichtig und all das hat mir einfach nur das Herz gebrochen.
Und genau deswegen finde ich das Buch und die Repräsentation in diesem super wichtig und habe es letztendlich auch sehr gerne gelesen. Die Geschichte zwischen Emma und Alyssa hat mich wirklich einnehmen und absolut fesseln können. Die Charaktere habe ich vielleicht als nicht tiefgründig genug bezeichnet, die Handlung ist es mitsamt ihrer Message aber auf alle Fälle.
Das Ende war mir ein wenig zu plötzlich, ein paar Entwicklungen sind mir zu schnell geschehen, trotzdem passte es zum Stil der Broadway-Vibes, weswegen es mich nicht großartig gestört hat.
Fazit
Ein sehr wichtiges Buch, das vor allem die Schattenseiten davon zeigt, was es bedeutet, zur LGBTQ*-Community zu gehören. Es zeigt, wie schnell Menschen verurteilen und wie schrecklich sie sein können, aber auch, dass Entwicklungen und Verbesserungen möglich sind. Gepaart wird das ganze von ein wenig Broadway-Vibes und meine Lust auf den passenden Film dazu ist auf jeden Fall geweckt!
Ein großes Dankeschön an den Heyne Verlag für die Bereitstellung eines Rezensionsexemplars!
December 28, 2020
Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars. I binged this at the beginning of December and apparently forgot to mark it as read here. I read the book first and watched the Netflix adaption a week or so later and while I enjoyed both, I definitely liked the book more.
There are probably more I’m forgetting but a few content warnings that stood out/I still remember include: extreme homophobia (most other CWs stem from this), bullying, being disowned by parents after coming out (in the past & off page but referenced multiple times)
Love sapphic books, too? Let's be friends! | | |
There are probably more I’m forgetting but a few content warnings that stood out/I still remember include: extreme homophobia (most other CWs stem from this), bullying, being disowned by parents after coming out (in the past & off page but referenced multiple times)
Love sapphic books, too? Let's be friends! | | |
December 4, 2020
sofri, mas passo bem
September 22, 2019
tldr; the musical is better, the writing is eeeh inconsistent, save your money and get the audible free trial for a happy lesbian love story with good good narrators, or just read some fanfic
i really wanted to love this book, and i only loved bits of it. the prom musical has been my obsession for the past few months and so i was eager (and trepidatious because, novelisation) to read this.
as an adaption, i have only a few complaints. the plot was handled fairly well - as an overly hammy broadway musical the original canon was of course not realistic. i don't think that the changes mitchell made would bother anyone who hadn't seen the musical first, though they do seem somewhat unnecessary. the plot still works with the removal of the characters trent and angie, yet it doesn't run any smoother, so why do it? not to mention that it is jarring for those who've seen the musical. having emma sing 'dance with you' instead of 'unruly heart' works in the novel, but it doesn't add anything, so why change it? in fact, i would even suggest that 'unruly heart' is more universal an anthem than 'dance with you'. also in the list of unnecessary-deviations-from-canon are changing the age at which emma was kicked out of her house, and changing the car she drives from a pickup truck to a beetle. small details to be sure, but why??
there were also changes to canon that sparked controversy - mitchell initially declared that she intended to change alyssa's sexuality from that of a lesbian to pansexual. after the furor sparked by her statement, the published novel changes alyssa's sexuality back to match the musical's canon. however, it reads like mitchell mere did a find and replace, exchanging the word 'pansexual' with 'lesbian', which is just shoddy editing.
i very much enjoyed the emma/alyssa centric focus of the story, with chapters alternating from their perspectives, but the tone of the novel was frankly annoying. sure, at some points mitchell's writing was achingly poignant, but this clashed with the narrators speaking directly to the reader, over-the-top 'teen speech' (think characters saying OMG), and some... very weirdly written ?romance? scenes, all things that immediately turn me off YA novels. characterisation was another odd point - book!alyssa's mother was scarily deranged where in the musical she is humanly understandable, but the characterisation of emma's grandmother was everything i had hoped for. mitchell also incorporated quotes from the musical which were at some point cringey and at other points really beautiful, so i guess that balances out.
listening to this as an audiobook is what saved it - i could listen to caitlin kinnunen just read credits FOREVER. if i had read this in paperback form, i probably wouldn't have liked it. as it stands, i'll probably be listening to the audiobook again, because kinnunen is just that good.
if you're looking for more emma/alyssa content, or just more wlw content, i suggest having a look through the prom musical tag on ao3 for content with better characterisation and better writing (though lacking caitlin kinnunen's narration). better yet, i'll start you off with the the prom fandom's premier fic: the cowgirl au. here's the goodreads link to or read it on ao3
with all that said, i'm giving it 3 stars because i did genuinely enjoy it. the musical has lots of big big moments and drama and triumphant crescendos, but i appreciated the novel's deeper focus on less-addressed issues such as alyssa's relationship with her mother. there were moments that really tugged at my heartstrings and quotes that were just beautiful to listen to. mitchell portrays, accurately, homophobia - both the big acts of discrimination and the day-to-day cruelties, the struggles of both those closeted and those out, and the wrongness of parents who forcibly mold children into who they want them to be and refuse to accept children for who they are. at the heart of it all, the prom novel was a sweet yet meaningful lesbian love story, and we need more of those.
i really wanted to love this book, and i only loved bits of it. the prom musical has been my obsession for the past few months and so i was eager (and trepidatious because, novelisation) to read this.
as an adaption, i have only a few complaints. the plot was handled fairly well - as an overly hammy broadway musical the original canon was of course not realistic. i don't think that the changes mitchell made would bother anyone who hadn't seen the musical first, though they do seem somewhat unnecessary. the plot still works with the removal of the characters trent and angie, yet it doesn't run any smoother, so why do it? not to mention that it is jarring for those who've seen the musical. having emma sing 'dance with you' instead of 'unruly heart' works in the novel, but it doesn't add anything, so why change it? in fact, i would even suggest that 'unruly heart' is more universal an anthem than 'dance with you'. also in the list of unnecessary-deviations-from-canon are changing the age at which emma was kicked out of her house, and changing the car she drives from a pickup truck to a beetle. small details to be sure, but why??
there were also changes to canon that sparked controversy - mitchell initially declared that she intended to change alyssa's sexuality from that of a lesbian to pansexual. after the furor sparked by her statement, the published novel changes alyssa's sexuality back to match the musical's canon. however, it reads like mitchell mere did a find and replace, exchanging the word 'pansexual' with 'lesbian', which is just shoddy editing.
i very much enjoyed the emma/alyssa centric focus of the story, with chapters alternating from their perspectives, but the tone of the novel was frankly annoying. sure, at some points mitchell's writing was achingly poignant, but this clashed with the narrators speaking directly to the reader, over-the-top 'teen speech' (think characters saying OMG), and some... very weirdly written ?romance? scenes, all things that immediately turn me off YA novels. characterisation was another odd point - book!alyssa's mother was scarily deranged where in the musical she is humanly understandable, but the characterisation of emma's grandmother was everything i had hoped for. mitchell also incorporated quotes from the musical which were at some point cringey and at other points really beautiful, so i guess that balances out.
listening to this as an audiobook is what saved it - i could listen to caitlin kinnunen just read credits FOREVER. if i had read this in paperback form, i probably wouldn't have liked it. as it stands, i'll probably be listening to the audiobook again, because kinnunen is just that good.
if you're looking for more emma/alyssa content, or just more wlw content, i suggest having a look through the prom musical tag on ao3 for content with better characterisation and better writing (though lacking caitlin kinnunen's narration). better yet, i'll start you off with the the prom fandom's premier fic: the cowgirl au. here's the goodreads link to or read it on ao3
with all that said, i'm giving it 3 stars because i did genuinely enjoy it. the musical has lots of big big moments and drama and triumphant crescendos, but i appreciated the novel's deeper focus on less-addressed issues such as alyssa's relationship with her mother. there were moments that really tugged at my heartstrings and quotes that were just beautiful to listen to. mitchell portrays, accurately, homophobia - both the big acts of discrimination and the day-to-day cruelties, the struggles of both those closeted and those out, and the wrongness of parents who forcibly mold children into who they want them to be and refuse to accept children for who they are. at the heart of it all, the prom novel was a sweet yet meaningful lesbian love story, and we need more of those.
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