Hamilton Act 1- Books and Music

Hamilton is a very long musical. There were only about two scenes that were talked through. The rest of the show was told through music.

A Little Background Info

  Hamilton tells the story of the secretary of treasury Alexander Hamilton. From 1776 when he was just a bastard orphan to 1804 when he dies in a duel, Hamilton is one big emotional roller coaster. 

Characters

  I'm going to do a quick rundown of the characters first and then we'll start comparing the songs to books. I'm going to talk about Act 1 and Act 2 characters. Feel free to skip this part. This section is mainly a little history lesson.

Alexander Hamilton- the main character

Aaron Burr (Sir)- First friend, the first enemy of Alexander

John Laurens- Alexander's "friend" 

HERCULES MULLIGAN- don't knock him down. 

Maqauris de Lafayette- a bagauette

King George- King of England, he will kill your friends and family to remind you of his love

Samuel Seabury- the one dude in the play that actually supports the king

Charles Lee- He's a general. (WHHEEEE) 

Angelica(aaaaa)- eldest Schuylar Sister

Eliza(aaaaaa)- middle Schuylar Sister, wife of Alexander 

(and) Peggy- youngest Schuylar Sister

George Washington- if you don't know who he is by now you should probably go back to history class

Thomas Jefferson- also known as sassy macaroni 

James Madison- Jefferson's sidekick. 

Philip Hamilton- a poet 

George Eacker- the real villain of this show

Maria Reynolds- he should have said no

Songs to Books

Alexander Hamilton

  This song is basically Hamilton's backstory. It talks about what happens before he arrived in New York. Another book that is mainly a backstory is The Mother Goose Diaries by Chris Colfer. The Mother Goose Diaries recounts Mother Gooses adventures before the events of The Land of Stories series took place. 

The Mother Goose Diaries

Aaron Burr Sir

  Aaron Burr starts out as Hamilton's friend but becomes an enemy. A character like this is The Snow Queen from A Tale of Magic by Chris Colfer. I won't say the Snow Queens true identity but we start out thinking that she's good. When we do find out that this character is the Snow Queen, it's shocking. 

A Tale of Magic

My Shot

  Hamilton has so much determination, he sings a whole song about it. Alex and Conner Bailey from The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer. The two are so determined to complete the wishing spell, they don't even let the Evil Queen stop them. 
The Wishing Spell Review

The Story to Tonight

  This song is about the friendship Hercules, Laurens, Lafayette, and Hamilton all share. "The Story of Tonight" is sung before the four join the revelation. Another close group of friends is Percy, Annabel, and Grover from the Percy Jackson series.

The Schuyler Sisters

  What trio is more iconic than the Schuyler Sisters? None. Absolutely none. But I would say that Harry, Hermione, and Ron from the Harry Potter series are a close second. 

Framer Refuted

  The rebel vs the loyalist. Some part of this song reminds me of The Rose Legacy by Jessica Day George. Anthea starts out with a strong loyalness to her kingdom but by the end, I guess you could call her a rebel. 
My Review of The Rose Legacy

You'll Be Back

  This song is like a break-up song between Britain and the US. King George is so sour towards his "ex" so a break-up book to go along with this is The Mall by Megan McCafferty. The book starts out when Cassie's boyfriend breaks up with her. In the end, she bounces back stronger than ever. 

The Mall

Right Hand Man

  Hamilton rises up and becomes the right-hand man of Geroge Washington. Sophia also rises up to take her chance in fighting the revolution. In Sophia's War by Avi, she does whatever she can to defy the odds and prove that she's capable of helping the rebels. 

A Winters Ball

  Burr and Hamilton are ready for the night laid ahead. They have high expectations and the ball lives up to them. Another book with a fun night is Best. Night. Ever. In this book, the seven main characters have such high expectations for their school's dance. It turns out better than they could ever imagine.  
Best Night Ever Review

Helpless

  For Helpless, I'm choosing Alex & Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz. This book tells the love story of Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler. What book could be more fitting for the song where Eliza falls in love with Hamilton? 
Alex & Eliza Review

Satisfied

  Poor Angelica. She loved him but gave up her chance so Eliza could be happy. I would say Angelica is my favorite of the Schuyler Sisters. Even though it's a song of heartbreak, I love "Satifed" so much. Anyway, another character who gives up love for a friend is Hollis from The Betrothed by Kiera Cass. 
The Betrothed Review

The Story of Tonight (Reprise)

  This song is so cute! Just like the first Story on Tonight, this song is about friendship. It takes place right after Hamilton's wedding. While Laurens, Mulligan, and Lafayette tease Alex, we find that Burr is in love. One book that was absolutely adorable was Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu. 

Wait For It

  Villains have feelings too! Songs like these remind us that even though Burr is often considered the villain, but he is sweet on the inside. One villain, I couldn't help but love came from Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. I won't say who the villain is because I don't want to spoil anything. 
Red Queen Review

Stay Alive

  Ah yes, Hamilton makes yet another enemy- Charles Lee. The Baudelaires form A Series of Unfortunate Events had a lot of enemies. They made a new one every other book it seemed like. Both the Baudelaires and Hamilton have a lot of enemies and they're not afraid to confront them.  

Ten Duel Commandments

  Laurens and Hamilton stand up to Charles Lee in this song. They have a duel! Alex and Conner have a battle with so many of their enemies in Worlds Collide by Chris Colfer. 

Meet Me Inside

   After being told no many MANY times, Hamilton continues to make stupid decisions. Another character that defies the rules is Audra from Words on Fire by Jenifer A. Neilsen.
Words on Fire Review

That Would Be Enough

  Just like Helpless, I'm choosing a book that Alexander and Eliza Hamilton are actually in. If this song was a book, it would be Love & War by Melissa de la Cruz. Love & War was about how Eliza wished she could spend more time with Alexander. She sings about that in this song too. 
Love & War Review

Guns and Ships

  This song is very fast-paced. Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass went by way too quickly for me. Happily Ever After was the collection of novellas from The Selection series. 

History Has Its Eyes On You

  George Washington gives Hamilton so fatherly advice in this song and we could all learn a thing or two from it. A book that we could also learn from is Stargirl by Jerri Spinelli. This book is full of life lessons.
Stargirl Review

Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)

  The world seems to turn upside down as the rebels win the American Revolution just like Ara's world turns upside down when she finds that she is the Loresmith. In Forged in Fire and Stars, Ara becomes the Loresmith which sends her on a new journey.  
Forged in Fire and Stars Review

What Comes Next?

   As Old as Time by Liz Braswell had me guessing at what comes next. It was so different from the original Beauty and the Beast and I loved it. 
As Old as Time Review

Dear Theodosia

  This song is all about babies! The only book I've read where the main character has a child is All For One by Melissa de la Cruz. By the end of this book, Eliza has given birth to baby Philip. 

All for One Review

Non-Stop

  Hamilton is non-stop when it comes to achieving his goals. Example? The man wrote FIFTY-ONE essays in six months. There is a lot going on in this song. Another book with a lot going on in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. 

The Merchant of Venice Review

   Hamilton is probably one of the biggest musicals and it is definitely worth the hype. The soundtrack is incredible. I am so excited that the movie staring the OBC will be released on Disney+ on JULY 3!