Vinegar Girl: The Taming of the Shrew Retold (edition 2017)

I have read other books in the Hogarth Shakespeare series, suck as Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood. Anne Tyler's version of "The Taming of the Shrew" did not live up to the brilliance of the original, but there were some funny moments, mainly in the end. Part of the problem was that Tyler uses the point of view of Kate, the shrew, which results in a very unappealing, whiny beginning chapters. I almost put the book down. The story becomes more palatable about a third of the way in, when Kate agrees to get married, but still misses real spirit. ( )

A very quick read, like an extended short story. ( )

While this was not my favorite of Anne Tyler's novels, it did not disappoint. I love her quirky unlikable but likeable characters. ( )

Kate Battista knows people can perceive her as abrasive at times. But she's honest, independent, and isn't intentionally mean. Everyone just seems to expect her to fit a mold that doesn't fit. Even the coworker she really wishes would notice her.

Everything comes to a head when Kate's father presents her with a ridiculous demand. He wants Kate to marry his lab assistant, Pyotr, so he can stay in the country. Kate rejects the proposal outright (How could he ask her that?) at first, but eventually she decides it might not be so bad. She can manage it for a year, right? And it will get her out of her father's house, where her needy father and sister dominate her life.

Pyotr gets on Kate's nerves, especially at first. He's always so optimistic and reads their interactions more positively than Kate intends. But as she gets to know him better, could she discover something deeper? What really makes Pyotr tick? An unexpected event on their wedding day gives Kate the chance to truly see what life with Pyotr would be like. Can she manage it for a year? Or could it even become something that lasts?

--

I often enjoy modern retellings of Shakespeare plays. There's something about adapting a classic into a new work that reflects the challenges and realities of today's society that gets me thinking. Some issues we face as people transcend time. And others change shape but still linger over us regardless of the decade. I have to say that I do like what Anne Tyler did here with The Taming of the Shrew.

If you weren't a fan of 10 Things I Hate About You (or even if you were), this is probably the story that you needed instead. It's well-written, dynamic, and paced in a more interesting and realistic way.

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.] ( )

Entertaining, quick read. Perfect summer book. ( )