Reviews

Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler

Only show reviews with written explanations

bzoesch's review against another edition

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funny hopeful relaxing fast-paced

5.0

motherofmasseys's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bmusselman3's review against another edition

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3.0

The beginning was cute and I found the love story to be endearing at first. But then halfway through the book I feel like Kate and Pyotr change completely in a way that doesn’t match their character development. Pyotr becomes a demanding asshole and Kate loses her vinegar girl qualities and becomes a doormat. I’m so confused about Kate’s final speech and how she got from point A to point B. The theme was unclear. I definitely understand the sentiment that men should be allowed to express their emotions, but the whole “men have it SO hard - they have been stuck with the sports competitions and the wars and the fame and success” was so odd. And infuriating. She goes on to say that men are “a whole lot less free than women are.” ???? I couldn’t tell if I just missed the point and Kate did actually become a sellout.

I do like the writing style and I love the cover. It felt like a low budget rom com which I enjoy once in a while without thinking too deeply about it. I just cannot wrap my head around the closing epilogue. I didn’t think taming the shrew meant taking away all of her gusto and feminism.

nrogers_1030's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted

4.0

dancinrio's review against another edition

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3.0

I feel a bit mean only giving an Anne Tyler retelling of Shakespeare 3 stars but it failed to rock my world. Nice is the most enthusiastic adjective I'm managing to conjure up. I fully intend to read the rest of the Hogarth Shakespeare series and see how the other fabulous authors get on.