Hold Me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story

If you've read Will Grayson, Will Grayson, then you know and love the force that is Tiny Cooper. David Levithan has brought into being the delight that is the autobiographical musical Tiny writes and performs in Will Grayson, Will Grayson. The result is just as spectacular (and glitter-filled) as you would expect. Filled with Tiny's, often humourous, stage directions and plenty of lyrics, this creation is just as fun to read as the description would indicate. But in amongst the comedy that a musical by Tiny Cooper entails, are some truly profound moments. Definitely more enjoyable if you've read Will Grayson, Will Grayson, you'll be glad you dipped into this highly musical novel. If only because everyone needs more Tiny Cooper in their show more lives. show less

Tiny Cooper is magic and I desperately want to be his best friend. What I thought would be a goofy book turned into something more deeply poignant and resonant. Hats off to David Levithan for bringing this musical, and co-parenting Tiny into being

An absolutely necessary read for fans of Will Grayson, Will Grayson. (Even more necessary: the audiobook! With songs! When is that happening?) In Hold Me Closer, we get more of Tiny's story than we did in Will Grayson, and we get to visit with familiar characters ("Phil Wrayson," "Djane") as well. The book is set up like a script for a stage play, complete with cast of characters, musical numbers, stage directions, and spoken and sung dialogue.

Two thumbs up and five stars for the fantastic glittery gold cover design. Perfect.

Quotes

Because what is life if not a series of loud and quiet moments shuffled together with some music thrown in? (Tiny, 1)

If anyone is going to object to this musical, they will have left the theater at this point. show more Which is fine. That means for the rest of the time, you'll have a crowd that really gets it. (Tiny, 12-13)

Plus, I wanted so much to fit in. I know that's the story of our whole lives, but it all starts here. More than anything else, we want to fit into our own families. (Tiny, 18)

Look forward to the moment
when it all falls apart.
Look forward to the moment
when you must rearrange your heart.
It might feel like the end of the world
but it's the beginning of your art. (Tiny and Lynda, 31)

I haven't changed his name, because I would love to see Coach Frye try to sue me. Bring it on, Couch Frye. There's not a jury in the world that enjoyed gym class. (Tiny, 38-39)

Careful.
I tell myself,
be careful.
But sometimes
careful
cares too much
about what people think (Tiny, 49)

If act one in life is about finding yourself,
then act two is about finding everyone else. (Lynda and the Ghost of Oscar Wilde, 81)

When people say love is blind, they act like that's a good thing. But some people find their way around in the darkness a little better than others. (Phil Wrayson, 143)

Miracles and curses. Curses and miracles. It's the same magic, played different ways. (Tiny, 185) show less

Fuck, yeah, Tiny Cooper! Everyone's favorite character from 'Will Grayson, Will Grayson' finally gets his solo in the spotlight and it is magnificent. I want Hold Me Closer, the musical, to become a staple in the high school musical theatre repertoire, because as much as I loved reading it, I am absolutely gasping to see it performed live. Make this happen now, high school theatre directors!

David Levithan is still one of my top 5 favourite writers (possibly top 2) but this book wasn't as amazing as I had hoped. To me it felt like a bit of a waste of time and told a story that I really already know. I would watch this musical but reading it is t the same. I need to music. I need to know what it sounds like.

I've been sitting on this 200 page play companion to the last john green book I read for like a week now, unable to finish it for some reason that is truly beyond me. A sweet companion piece to the book, and funny to read as I recall the audiobook narrarator serenading me with tunes like "Summer of Gay" (The best song from this musical, by the way). One of the Goodreads reviews says that it works well on its own but I would absolutely not recommend it to anyone on its own. I am no musical expert or anything, but I think it is best viewed through a companion lens.

Tiny Cooper, first introduced in "Will Grayson, Will Grayson," finally gets to tell his story--from his fabulous birth and childhood to his quest for true love and his infamous parade of ex-boyfriends--the way he always intended: as a musical!