Monday, July 18, 2016

Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Blogging For Books in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Pulitzer Prize winner and American master Anne Tyler brings us an inspired, witty and irresistible contemporary take on one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies

Kate Battista feels stuck. How did she end up running house and home for her eccentric scientist father and uppity, pretty younger sister Bunny? Plus, she’s always in trouble at work – her pre-school charges adore her, but their parents don’t always appreciate her unusual opinions and forthright manner.  

Dr. Battista has other problems. After years out in the academic wilderness, he is on the verge of a breakthrough. His research could help millions. There’s only one problem: his brilliant young lab assistant, Pyotr, is about to be deported. And without Pyotr, all would be lost.

When Dr. Battista cooks up an outrageous plan that will enable Pyotr to stay in the country, he’s relying – as usual – on Kate to help him. Kate is furious: this time he’s really asking too much. But will she be able to resist the two men’s touchingly ludicrous campaign to bring her around?

My thoughts-

I didn't have a clue that there was a series of books that are modern stories adapted from Shakespeare plays. The Taming of the Shrew is one of my favorite Shakespeare comedies and I have been known to like other modern adaptations of the same story so I really couldn't wait to get my hands on Vinegar Girl. It was a short read that I chose to take with me on a getaway with my best friend. I read most of it on the plane, but read the leftover remnants here and there during our trip. I couldn't even tell you how many times I laughed out loud. I loved the nerdy science vibe of Kate's dad and the interactions between Pyotr and Kate are super funny to me. I love the language barrier and the funny things it makes Pyotr word things sometimes. I also loved seeing the two of them grow because of each other without even meaning to. It was a cute book, and a well done modernization of a classic. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Shakespeare or just enjoys contemporary fiction. You could read this book and not think about original at all as well. Vinegar Girl will likely be my next recommendation for my book club, it was that enjoyable!

2 comments:

  1. A fun read by one of my favorite authors. I especially enjoyed the witty dialogue.

    One Hour Device

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  2. Anne Tyler has such a unique style of writing. She drags you into the story with her well developed characters. I am never sure how I feel about them until the end. In this story the dysfunctional family center around Kate, her weird scientist father, superficial sister and an immigrant her father needs to help with his research. Who he wants Kate to marry to make him legitimate.

    Cath Brookes
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