I loved reading this first play of Miranda's, though I do wish it had more essays and stories like his book on "Hamilton". Still, what's great about this book - especially for someone who just enjoys the cast album and who has never had a chance to see the play performed - is that reading it you get a fuller picture of the story. Unlike "Hamilton," the songs of "In the Heights" don't tell you the full story. When you read it, you get to understand the context and the characters so much more. The story of Nina's struggle to pay for her university fees at Stanford and the encroaching gentrification on the Washington Heights neighborhood through the closing of the salon is brought out much more clearly here. Now I just have to wait to watch the film version next year!

I highly recommend this -but only if you can read it while also listening to the soundtrack!