Hold Me Closer by David Levithan

Hold Me Closer

by David Levithan

Larger-than-life character Tiny Cooper, from the bestselling novel Will Grayson, Will Grayson, finally tells his own story the only way he knows how - as a stupendous musical.

This is the full script of Hold Me Closer, the musical written by and staring Tiny Cooper, from the New York Times bestselling novel Will Grayson, Will Grayson, written by David Levithan and John Green. Filled with humour, pain, and 'big, lively, belty' musical numbers, readers will finally learn the full story of Tiny Cooper from his birth and childhood to his quest for love and his infamous eighteen ex-boyfriends.

David Levithan is the New York Times bestselling author of many novels for young readers including Every Day, Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with John Green), Invisibility (with Andrea Cremer) and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (with Rachel Cohn), which was turned into a feature film. He's the editorial director of Scholastic Press, and has edited hundreds of books including the mega-hits The Hunger Games and Shiver. David lives in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Reviewed by Kelly on

4 of 5 stars

Share
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2015/04/hold-me-closer-tiny-cooper-story-by.html
Utterly fabulous, this gorgeous storyline is told in the form of a Broadway musical script, with none other than Tiny Cooper as the star. His larger than life sense of fun jumps off the page and leaves the reader feeling joyful and entertained. I loved the format, something I haven't seen in young adult before.

The thing about a spotlight is that you have to step into it. You have to get onto that stage. I haven't been ready for a lot of things, but from early on, I was ready for this.

Intelligent and creative, it tells Tiny's story in both song and the narrative, in what could only be described as fun, flirtatious and flamboyant. But beneath the musical, it also depicts the story of a boy who hopelessly wants to fall in love and feel his own self worth. Battling bullies who are threatened by his differences and learning to love who he is, the gentle giant with a heart to match.

It was glorious and so incredibly joyful. A feel good book for not only fans of Will Grayson, Will Grayson and Tiny himself, but those looking for a celebration of acceptance.

I have to believe we have enough songs in our hearts for endless musicals, about an endless number of things. And it's fun, every now and then, to let them out into the world.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 6 April, 2015: Finished reading
  • 6 April, 2015: Reviewed