Novels that musicals are based on-those worth reading?

I've recently been getting a bit more into reading than I usually am, and have read a couple of such books that musicals are based on-I started w/ Wicked which I liked, even though the book was so different, recently read Phantom of the Opera, which I love, and am now reading Susan Kay's Phantom which I'm loving even more. I keep telling myself that I should read Les Miz as well but every time I see the sheer thickness of that book I'm just scared away. Does anyone else have any suggestions of some good books that musicals are based on?

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Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow
Gypsy: A Memoir by Gypsy Rose Lee
Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot
Aspects of Love by David Garnett
My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy

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Updated On: 1/22/05 at 01:39 AM

I disagree on Les Miz. (Don't hate me for this Stick)
But, Les Miz is a preference read. Honestly, it's almost nothing like the musical, and the only thing they don't mention in the musical that pertains to the main characters is that Gavroche is Thenardier's son (Oops, was that a spoiler?) Yes, Eponine and Gavroche are brother and sister. There, now that I've said it, you no longer need to read the book. The truth is, Les Miz is a hard read. Much like the Illiad, there is so much irrelevance going on that it's hard to tell what's what and where's where. All the basics are covered in the musical. The rest of the stuff was left out because, well, it's pointless to begin with.

Other books turned to musicals:
Aspects of Love (actually, almost anything Webber put his name to.)
Dessa Rose
Once on This Island (Titled "My Love, My Love or The Peasant Girl" by Rosa Guy, which I HIGHLY recommend)

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Was Berlin Stories later turned into the play 'I Am A Camera'? I thought CABARET was based on that...

Anyhow, we can't forget the upcoming 'The Color Purpble' by Alice Walker.

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Remembrance of Things Past by Marcel Proust is quite amazing. If I remember correctly, the Albertine sections are now published as "The Captive". If you loved My Life with Albertine, as I did, you will love the prose it is based on.

"Wicked" by Gregory Maguire is awesome (and obviously the origin of "Wicked")

I disagree....as good as Wicked the Book is, it is incredibly different from the movie. The only thing that is similar is the basic plot - the VERY basic plot.

Also, Les Misérables might contain many historical things, it is an incredible book, and the musical is very similar to it.

Les Miz is worth reading...however, I will be honest, I did skim over some of the chapters that were all historical context and very little plot (once you start reading it you'll know the ones I'm talking about). But the actual story telling of the book is beautiful and I found it to be much more emotionally moving and engaging than the musical.

I disagree about wicked. I like the musical very much, but when I tried to read the book it could not hold my attention for the first chapter, and I often read. I really liked The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, and would highly suggest it.

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Little Me by Patrick Dennis (Which was the basis for the musical "Little Me")

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A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY is a wonderful book. oh, wait ... that's not a musical ... but read it anyway!

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