The Music Man

by Meredith Willson

Novel form of the musical

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Drama, Fiction, Music, Musicals, Historical Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Music Man was one of my favourite musical movies when I was a child, and by the time I was finished this I had the most ear wormy song from it in my head (the Gary, Indiana one) because naturally I thought of the music. It's a fun tale of a con artist who comes to sell a boys band idea to a small town in Indiana, set in 1912. There's romance (Professor Hill is romancing the town librarian who is also the local music teacher to try and distract her from his con, plus there is a youthful romance I'll say nothing about so as to not spoil it), mayhem, band instruments and, of course, the wait for the uniforms. If you haven't seen the musical and you like them, I recommend it even if it is a bit old school given that the musical book (was first published in 1958 (the novel form in 1962). Some of Willson's songs from his other musicals have become standards (he wrote "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" for example.)

[Talia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite musical of all time, and as a young teenager, I acquired the movie novelization of this book which was published in 1962. It’s obviously not the top tier of literature, but it’s a neat little way to get some background on the movie and see things from the stage adaption that didn’t carry over to the movie. Plus, Willson gets to flesh out Harold Hill and Marian Paroo a bit more, so that’s nice.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

While it is mostly the same as the movie, there are a couple extra little bits and details here and there that made this book a little extra special.

[Russell Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meredith Willson wrote the songs and playscript for the classic musical The Music Man. When Hollywood came calling, the screenplay was written by Marion Hargrove. Then came this novelization. Willson took Hargrove’s screenplay and turned it into a novel telling the story that he invented. Willson is an adept novelist. He infuses the book with the homey folksiness of his musical play, sometimes a bit too verbose in his descriptions, but always entertaining. He manages to turn most of his song lyrics into readable dialogue. In the few instances where character have to sing, i.e. the barbershop quartet school board of River City, the song lyrics need to be used, but Willson skillfully weaves them into his plot. That plot is familiar indeed, due to the multitudes who have, at this point, seen the movie, a live production of the show, or the TV production of it. This novelization, produced shamelessly as publicity for the 1962 film, is filled with production photos, lest we forget that Robert Preston and Shirley Jones were the stars. There is no “reader envisioning the characters here,” but rather they are all presented to us through the film stills. But that doesn’t distract from the charm of this book, nor from The Music Man itself. I was on a quest to read the novelizations of musical films from the early 1960s. I have now completed that quest. While this was perhaps my least favorite of the five novels I read, The Music Man still retains all its charm in this novel.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something is probably lost when, instead of seeing the show live, you read the script and listen to the music, but in my defense, I was meant to see this show and then a little event called the COVID-19 pandemic happened.
Still, I adored this show. I loved the rhythm of the script, how the words, even spoken, not sung, made me tap out a beat. I loved the ending of the play especially, how it didn't matter if the children were good or not with the brass musical, because of what being in the band had brought to them. The characters shone brightly. Professor Hill was such a charismatic force, like a spellbinding force of nature, and I loved every bit of his dialogue, how he steered conversations to benefit him. Marian had such a force field around her, impenetrable but still sympathetic. The minor characters were charming, but most of all, I liked the character of the Iowa town and how it changed once Hill arrived.
The ending I enjoyed most because while it closed all the stories from the musical it left enough open that it feels like the story of the town goes on after this. There's still conflict, but a new understanding within.
This was a spellbinding work, with fun, bright music. I really hope I get to see it live one day!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't read the novel, just the book of the show itself (play form, with lyrics for the songs and stage directions), but couldn't find that on goodreads. Perfection, my favorite of all time. Loved every page.

[Brian McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect example of a book musical from the Golden Age.

[Genevieve Reads-A-Lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book and the little peeks into history at the same time.

[Anne Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Feel-Good musical that still keeps people tapping their feet and singing along. As well-written as an Iowan cornfield, with all the charm and comedy and a happy ending to boot.

[Tegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this gem at my local library. Complete with photos from the musical film and lyrics to soundtrack songs. Brings back memories! Posture, Ladies! Posture!

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice placeholder for the movie memories.

It is good to have movies novelized to explain what you were supposed to have noticed and they also adjust the story when needed.

This book however is almost the Script and is more like someone telling you what they see as it goes along in the 1962 film. One of the pluses is that there are plenty of stills from the movie. With captions. You will see the original lyrics but no sound bars to accompany them.

The basic story is Professor Harold Hill sells boys’ musical instruments. He helps Them organize a band while waiting for the uniforms to arrive. Naturally, he is a fraud and does not know one note from another. He is told that he could never get away with that in Ioway. So, the challenge is on. We get to see if his maneuvers can work or if will he get lost in his own dream?

The movie/play is a musical; however, the book works just as well.

[Olivermagnus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Con artist Harold Hill comes into River City, a small town to sell band uniforms and supposedly train the members of the new band. The problem is that once he’s gotten local parents to shell out for musical instruments, instruction books and uniforms, Hill plans to skip town before anyone finds out he can’t carry a tune.

Librarian and music teacher Marian Paroo is the most difficult for Hill to convince. When she sees how her little brother, Winthrop, becomes excited by the prospect of playing in the band, she gives in, even though she has researched Hill's claim to a musical background in Gary, Indiana and knows it's a lie.

There are some great songs here and when you're done reading the book, you're going to want to see the movie, starring Robert Preston, who personifies Henry Hill. The Music Man shows us what great musical theatre is all about and I think you'll enjoy it.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a slice of the lost Americana of the turn of the century with a dash of humor and deception. Fast-talking 'Professor" Harold Hill comes into River City, a small town to sell band uniforms and supposedly train the members of the new band. The problem is that Harold is no musician and plans to make his sales and then skip. The problem is that Hill becomes smitten with Marian, a prim librarian and piano who sees through him. The other problem is that Hill gets personal with the townsfolk and becomes a hero to the children, especially Marian's younger brother. The other looming problem is that his scheme is falling apart. Yes, it is schmaltzy but it works.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this libretto. That does not mean that I don't see the flaws though. Some scenes are unneeded. Still, great characters, well crafted lyrics, and great climax lend itself to a recommendation from me.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure my family is mentioned in there! Love this story written by an Iowan from Mason City!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

It read too much like a script. I mean… come on. It still rhymed.

[Sabrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate this show.