There is a thread in the Movies, TV, etc., subforum, but I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread here about Hamilton as historical fiction. I'm sure we're all aware of the sensation that Hamilton has become. I personally was blown away by the musical after initially being skeptical.
So . . . why has Hamilton been so successful? What kind of strategies are being used to make the history accessible, and can we translate those to novel/novella/short story form? Does Hamilton stumble in any ways?
To be fair, there are a lot of tools available to the writer of a Broadway show that aren't available to a historical novelist. I can't use in a catchy tune. I can't cleverly drop in anachronistic phrases. But then, there are tools available to us that aren't available in a Broadway play: the reader's imagination, a setting that can move effortlessly through time and space because we don't have to stay on a stage, and more space to explore characters.
I think the reason Hamilton has had such an impact is that Lin-Manuel Miranda gets to the heart of these characters--all of them--and tells a story that most Americans are only glancingly familiar with. It takes them by surprise that this guy they heard of once or twice led an interesting life that has some familiar themes. I've heard again and again how surprised people are to be crying over Alexander Hamilton
Thoughts?
So . . . why has Hamilton been so successful? What kind of strategies are being used to make the history accessible, and can we translate those to novel/novella/short story form? Does Hamilton stumble in any ways?
To be fair, there are a lot of tools available to the writer of a Broadway show that aren't available to a historical novelist. I can't use in a catchy tune. I can't cleverly drop in anachronistic phrases. But then, there are tools available to us that aren't available in a Broadway play: the reader's imagination, a setting that can move effortlessly through time and space because we don't have to stay on a stage, and more space to explore characters.
I think the reason Hamilton has had such an impact is that Lin-Manuel Miranda gets to the heart of these characters--all of them--and tells a story that most Americans are only glancingly familiar with. It takes them by surprise that this guy they heard of once or twice led an interesting life that has some familiar themes. I've heard again and again how surprised people are to be crying over Alexander Hamilton
Thoughts?