I’ve only just finished part one, so there’s room for growth of course.
But, it feels like the author puts in grotesqueness at least once every chapter for no reason. For example, when the priest gets pushed over then kicked in the asshole so he shits his pants (and for those who haven’t read, I do not mean he gets his ass kicked, I meant literally foot to asshole then shit comes out) and that’s all that happens to him. He was then carried off to safety with no further injury. Why even write that. Sure, it could be some odd metaphor about how he’s dirty just like everyone else but there are about a dozen better ways to get that across, surely.
I’m failing to see how such a crass book became an LGTBQ+ powerhouse of a musical. Surely there were other stories with similar narratives and less babies sniffing piss, right?
I suppose I don’t want an actual explanation. I’m more ranting, but I’d be interested to hear others’ thoughts
You could ask the question about almost any musical. Hamilton was based off of Chernow’s biography of the man. Come From Away was based on events during 9/11. In the entirety of Les Misérables, somehow, someone found a musical in there. And don’t even get me started on Shucked or Cats.
People who write and compose musicals get inspiration in the strangest of places. Sometimes they have intention sometimes they read or see something and they must needs to write.