Best Books w/Musical Adaptations?

[CorkySt.Clair]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 1:43pm

I know that there have been threads in the past about musicals based on books, but my angle's a bit different. I've read both Ragtime and War and Peace after a little bit of exposure (funnily enough, in both cases the song called "Prologue") to their respective musicals. After enjoying both books immensely, I'm starting to see theatre as a viable way to find new books (and then subsequently fall in love with the shows, as I have both times previously). I'd love to hear any recommendations for great books you've come across with musical adaptations. 

Thank you so much!

Updated On: 8/24/17 at 01:43 PM

[Nicole 10]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 2:32pm

The Color Purple is one of my personal favorites!

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 2:39pm

I'd definitely recommend "Tevye the Dairyman" - the basis for Fiddler, as you can probably guess. It's more of a collection of stories than a novel, but it's excellent.

The graphic novel of Fun Home is definitely one to check out.

If you've never read Matilda, I'd also recommend it. It's a quick and entertaining read. For children, obviously, but like all of Dahl's work, it's highly enjoyable for adults as well. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 3:02pm

JBroadway said: "I'd definitely recommend "Tevye the Dairyman" - the basis for Fiddler, as you can probably guess. It's more of a collection of stories than a novel, but it's excellent.

The graphic novel of Fun Home is definitely one to check out.

If you've never read Matilda, I'd also recommend it. It's a quick and entertaining read. For children, obviously, but like all of Dahl's work, it's highly enjoyable for adults as well. 

 

"

Well "Hamilton" is heavily based on Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton so ...

 

[hork]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 3:06pm

The Woman in White is a really good book. Notre Dame de Paris is pretty great.  I also quite liked The Go-Between. Oh, and Carrie.

[Babe_Williams]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 3:20pm

Les Miserables

[CorkySt.Clair]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 4:34pm

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I've actually already read Matilda, the Lightning Thief (way before they were musicals) and Chernow's Hamilton bio (whoops, should've put it on my original). All were fantastic and I'll be sure to check out the rest. I absolutely love how much great literature is connected to great theatre!

[rcwr]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 5:09pm

I have an old fondness for Working, both the (nonfiction) book by Studs Terkel and the musical.

[johannabarker]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 8:44pm

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier is one of my favorite books of all time. The musical that was supposed to come to Broadway never did, I believe there are English language demos. And there are videos of the Vienna production in German with English subtitles. 

However I find the musical to be a very poor adaption of the novel, although very enjoyable.

[Fan123]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 10:00pm

I use musicals to give me ideas for reading material too. Below are some that I'd recommend which haven't been mentioned yet; I could provide more detail on each but don't want to turn this into an essay.

Tales of the South Pacific

My Love, My Love (source material for 'Once On This Island' 

Goodbye to Berlin (source material for 'Cabaret' )

Peter Pan (the novel and the non-musical play)

The Little Mermaid (the original story)

The Jungle Book (and The Second Jungle Book)

Daddy Long Legs

Evening Primrose (short story)

Jane Eyre

Giant

Show Boat

Updated On: 8/24/17 at 10:00 PM

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 10:26pm

I suppose it's worth reading Wicked by Gregory Maguire if only to admire the visionary and creative power it took to turn such a slog of a book into such a masterpiece of modern musical magic.  On second thought, nah.  Skip the book. Just see the musical. 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 10:29pm

Dessa Rose

The Color Purple (though the musical is really an adaptation of the screenplay, not the novel)

[johannabarker]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 10:32pm

Also, a lot of people give the novel The Phantom of the Opera crap (including ALW) however it's one of my favorites. However it differs significantly from the musical.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 10:39pm

Or skip the musical and read the novel, Wicked.  Lots better to me (and I don't hate the musical)

Updated On: 8/24/17 at 10:39 PM

[The Other One]

Posted: 8/24/17 at 10:57pm

Oliver (Twist)

Don Quixote/Man of La Mancha

Zorba (the Greek)

(Auntie) Mame

Updated On: 9/1/17 at 10:57 PM

[asoftplacetoland]

Posted: 8/25/17 at 2:21pm

johannabarker said: "Also, a lot of people give the novel The Phantom of the Opera crap (including ALW) however it's one of my favorites. However it differs significantly from the musical.

 

"

Agreed, I love the POTO book! Phantom wouldn't exist without it. 

[thealtoslament]

Posted: 8/25/17 at 2:54pm

I know the internet has already talked Be More Chill to death this summer, but if you already enjoy the musical I'd recommend reading Ned Vizzini's novel in the same way others have recommended reading Maguire's Wicked. The book and the show are very different, but it could be fun to pick apart and compare them. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 8/25/17 at 4:41pm

I love Wicked the musical, but the novel that inspired it is a masterpiece.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 12:20am

TotallyEffed said: "I love Wicked the musical, but the novel that inspired it is a masterpiece.

 

"

Agreed..

I also second Tales of the South Pacific, which somebody noted above. James Michener was more a popular writer than a great one, but Tales in his masterpiece.

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 8/26/17 at 1:18am

there's this really obscure one called Les Miserables.

 

Hardly a classic tho.......

[saraeo11]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 5:09pm

Tuck Everlasting

[non-stop26]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 6:04pm

I've heard good things about Gypsy: A Memoir.