Will Grayson, Will Grayson

by John Green and David Levithan
Published: Speak, 2011 (first published Dutton, 2010)
Pages: 310

When Will Grayson meets Will Grayson, they aren't expecting each other.  In fact, the first is buying a souvenir for his best and gay friend, Tiny Cooper and the other is meeting an internet friend.  Little did they know that their meeting is the catalyst for events that lead to the most entertaining musical to ever hit the high school stage.

Tiny Cooper is one of the funniest characters I have ever had the pleasure to read.  In addition to being completely gay, I mean that in the very best way, he is charming and so outgoing it hurts.  I laughed so much while reading about Tiny's musical, who would have thought to write a musical about themselves? Tiny Cooper.  That's who.

I was very excited to actually see the musical in the book.  I am a self professed lover of musicals so this just made my day.  The lyrics to the songs are priceless and entertaining and the scenes are wonderfully obnoxious.  I can't help agreeing with Will Grayson, the best friend, that Tiny is altogether too much to handle.  That, however, doesn't stop me from enjoying him and the rest of the characters.

The Wills are not quite opposites, just different guys with the same name and a shared Tiny.  They both, however, are having problems of their own.  To a certain extent Tiny, whether intentionally or unintentionally, helps them realize how to go about dealing with their problems.  They are, eventually, brutally honest with themselves and with those they love.  As characters, they are incredibly dynamic.

I give mad props to John Green and David Levithan for coming up with this idea and for writing it.  I am so glad because the world needed this book.  If these authors ever get the itch to write together again, I hope they don't hesitate.

Stars: 5/5

Praise:

"Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a complete romp.  [It is] so funny, rude and original that by the time flowers hit the stage, even the musical-averse will cheer."
     -- The New York Times Book Review

"Will have readers simultaneously laughing, crying and singing at the top of their lungs."
     --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"It is such a good book. [Green and Levithan] are two of the best writers writing today."
     --NPR's The Roundtable

It's An Eclectic Reader 2013 Challenge book!