Hamilton: the Revolution Adult Book on CD was my choice for FCPL’s March Reading Challenge to read a book in a different format or genre than I usually read. Listening to a non-fiction audiobook about musical theater stretched my format and genre comfort zones!
From the first time I saw it on Disney Plus, I loved the musical Hamilton. I became an instant “Hamil-FAN”. I loved the story, the music, the lyrics, the dancing, the characters – everything. I watched it as many times as I could, by myself, with my family (my son is a huge fan as well). Therefore, like any other dedicated Hamil-FAN, I had to read the musical’s companion book Hamilton: the Revolution, which gives an intimate, unique view of the musical from its earliest stages to its eventual premier on Broadway and beyond.
A coworker recommended the audiobook, which she had listened to and enjoyed. Not having as much time to read the print book as I would like, I borrowed the Adult Book on CD from FCPL, and listened to it on my commute to work. Like my coworker, I thoroughly enjoyed the audio. The narrator was excellent, and hearing the content made the experience even more intimate and personal for me. It was like having a conversation about the musical over dinner; a one-sided conversation, yes, but still a conversation - bringing the musical, its characters, and its actors even more to life for me. Who knew that a hip-hop musical about Alexander Hamilton and the founding fathers would be so appealing, and so, dare I say it . . . so revolutionary? This book illustrates the how and the why behind Hamilton’s impact and influence on musical theater, and on current and future generations of an increasingly diverse society.
A fun feature of the Adult Book on CD is that it contains a bonus PDF disc that includes material from the book - photos of actors and productions, Lin-Manuel Miranda's notebooks, interviews, and more. The PDF also features the entire libretto of the musical, including Hamilton’s lyrics, stage directions, and Miranda’s footnotes. What sets the listening experience apart from the reading experience is the second bonus disc, where Miranda reads his footnotes with great energy and wit. Load the PDF disc to a computer, pop in the footnotes disc, read and listen along – and Enjoy!
Looking ahead to April’s Reading Challenge . . . .
Hamilton: the Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeremy McCarter – Adult Non-Fiction print
I have not yet read the musical’s libretto contained in Hamilton: the Revolution – I am saving that for FCPL’s April Reading Challenge to read a book of poetry or a play! I may listen to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s footnotes from the audiobook as I read the book! While I have listened to the musical several times, it is hard to grasp every word, as the actors sing and rap most of the lyrics so quickly; so I will be glad to read and learn all of the words to further increase my understanding and enjoyment of this musical play! More to come!
Let the Revolution continue!
1 comment:
I've been enjoying my Hamilton music CD for several years, and I was lucky to see a production at the Fox in Atlanta, but I still haven't seen the filmed version on Disney Plus. I think I may have to do that in the very near future. Great musical!
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