[Quique]

I'm seeing this show for the first time in July here in Los Angeles.

Would any of you recommend I read the novel before seeing the show or would it ruin the experience? Have been wanting to read it for some time now.

I ask because many people say the musical is sh*t compared to the novel and so I don't wish to degrade the experience by comparing the novel to an inferior product. Just curious.

[katethegreat]

I don't know.
If you think you could enjoy the musical independantly of the novel and see them as the two seperate things they are, then go ahead - I think the people who have the biggest problem with the musical not being true to the novel can't separate the two. Yes the musical is based on the novel, but it is very different.
On the other hand, there's alot more to the novel story-wise so maybe see the musical first - that way the story in the musical is fresh to you and you can fill in the gaps and extras later instead of watching out for things that aren't there in the show.
Hmm...you got my brain wirring Quique - worrying I've been at work since 9 and its only just started...(its after 1pm now!)

[Salome]

by all means readt the novel first.

[rebellohan]

i read the novel first and still enjoyed the show

[theatrefanatic]

Read the novel.

[Belle]

Just to be different, I'd read the novel after seeing the show! As everyone says, the two are very different, but if you're expecting the novel plot when you see it onstage you're likely to find it very sugary and simplistic - which it is - but if you read the novel after seeing the musical, it adds a lot of depth and darkness to the events onstage.

[katethegreat]

^
^
^
I agree.
The novel had barely been available in this country 5 mins when I saw the show, so I wasn't really aware of it. The novel isn't by far the among the best I've read, but it was ok and I don't think I would've persevered with it as I did had I not seen the musical first - Belle's right, adds depth to what you see on stage.

[shakalakababy]

i know i'll get attacked for this but i hated the novel, i thought it was boring and not that well written. I'm quite a picky reader though. But if you read the novel i think you should read it after you see the show. If you read it before then you'll probably be dissapointed with the show because it's so different from the novel

[~username~]

Actually shakalakababy, i do agree with you! the novel isnt one of the best ive read and it does drag on ALOT in some spots. but the story is good. if i were you i would actually read the novel after but since you're not seeing it until july maybe you could read the novel. either way im sure you'll enjoy the musical!

[Sweeney Hyde]

I thought the novel was aweful. I saw the show and then really wanted to read it. I got it for my birthday...ugh...i was greatly disappointed. I wouldn't even bother with the book. Just go see the show and have a good time. It's a show that will be remembered for generations...and you will get to tell your theatre crazy grandkids you saw the original run and loved it. Have a good time and allow yourself to be entertained.

[Baker]

If you plan to read the novel, I would recommend reading it after seeing the musical. As stated previously, most people who read the novel first expect something that they aren't going to see in the musical.

Keep in mind though that the musical and the novel are two TOTALLY different medias. The musical is light and family-friendly and the novel is very adult and dark - as long as you view them as separate versions of a similar story, you should be all right no matter which you decide to see/read first.

[happyguava]

I love the novel. I would see the show first, though, because I think you can appreciate both of them better that way.

[Jenko]

I would see the show first not the novel.
Because I read the book first and during the show i was too concerned about how the story was different, what they missed and stuff. I wasn't fully watching the show.

Read it after.

[Matthew]

You could always read it while watching the show...

[Ozdust_Ballroom]

[music is my life!!!]

i do that all the time when i'm watching a movie based on a book!

x x x

[Salome]

[Salome]

[shakalakababy]

[xsophiex]

It doesn't matter if you read it first or not.

Just try to think of it as 2 different stories.

You will enjoy both then to it's fullest extent

[LifeUponTheWickedStage]

I read the novel after seeing the show advertised. It's not an easy read. Very complex and very, very dark in places! Lots of questions don't get answered!
You have to think of the show in a different light as it would not be possible to put everything in the book on stage! Enjoy them as too separate things!!

[Lena]

Haven't actually seen the musical yet (although I'm already obsessed with the soundtrack ) and I'm reading the novel right now....

Generally speaking, it's obvious that the musical will be very different, and I doubt reading the novel first will prevent you from enjoying the show. The book really is a masterpiece - I started reading it yesterday morning and am almost done - can't stop ! I certainly would not have been able to wait till summer. (I won't be able to see the show before August this year!)

[xoFoRgEtReGrEtox]

i started it, got half way through
my sister stole it
ruined it
now its in book heaven

[Lena]

[Salome]

McGuires' Mirror,Mirror is brillaint as well.