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3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Short by pleasant. Good to be reminded of the benefits of grace & positivity—along with an appreciation for individuals living their honest lives
3.5 stars!! Fun little book - surprised by the ending.
Plenty of sparkling dialogue, but momentum dissipates in a conventional and predictable ending (despite earlier red herrings that hint otherwise). I imagine authors must (or feel they must) hew to the broad outlines of the Shakespearean source.
I’ve read a number of classic’s remade lately, including several of the Jane Austen project, but this was my first of the Hogarth Shakespeare Project. It’s a modern remake of Taming of the Shrew and it was quite good, right up there with Eligible and vastly superior to Emma and Sense and Sensibility.
Unlike the weaker of the Jane Austen projects I’ve read so far, the two main characters of Kate and Pyotr are both unique, believable, dynamic, and coherent to their modern setting, unlike Emma with a cell phone, the main failing of some of the other books. I liked the updated premise, that Pyotr needs to be married to get a green card due to his visa status, and that Kate’s dad is offering her up. This is a more believable modern premise than needing to marry off Kate so that her younger sister can marry. That was always such a pill of a premise for a modern reader anyway.
Kate and Pyotr are both just full of life, as well as piss and vinegar, that Kate’s initial reluctance and eventual acceptance and even affection are believable. Pyotr’s new backstory of an immigrant who grew up in an orphanage and who appreciates all family, even the Battista clan, was endearing, as was his old country proverbs. My favorite passage was when Kate and Pyotr were trading proverbs and Kate, who has been criticized at school and at her job for her acerbic tongue, mentioned “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” Pyotr’s reply, “well, why would you want flies. Vinegar is better.” It’s the source of the title, and also a great embodiment of their relationship, where no time is wasted on trying to impress the other with fake formalities.
There are fun side plots involving fake vegetarians (who is taking the beef jerky?) and Kate’s quirky family, as well as a side story of whether Kate is really pining for the teacher’s helper in the 5 pre-K room, which are all interesting, but short enough to keep this story on track, as it really is a rather short and easy read. Overall, very well done.
I’ve never read anything else by Anne Tyler, but certainly am adding her to my to read list. However, I’ve already added the next Hogarth book that I want to read, which is Hagseed, as I’d read Margaret Atwood even if she was writing a phone book.
Unlike the weaker of the Jane Austen projects I’ve read so far, the two main characters of Kate and Pyotr are both unique, believable, dynamic, and coherent to their modern setting, unlike Emma with a cell phone, the main failing of some of the other books. I liked the updated premise, that Pyotr needs to be married to get a green card due to his visa status, and that Kate’s dad is offering her up. This is a more believable modern premise than needing to marry off Kate so that her younger sister can marry. That was always such a pill of a premise for a modern reader anyway.
Kate and Pyotr are both just full of life, as well as piss and vinegar, that Kate’s initial reluctance and eventual acceptance and even affection are believable. Pyotr’s new backstory of an immigrant who grew up in an orphanage and who appreciates all family, even the Battista clan, was endearing, as was his old country proverbs. My favorite passage was when Kate and Pyotr were trading proverbs and Kate, who has been criticized at school and at her job for her acerbic tongue, mentioned “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” Pyotr’s reply, “well, why would you want flies. Vinegar is better.” It’s the source of the title, and also a great embodiment of their relationship, where no time is wasted on trying to impress the other with fake formalities.
There are fun side plots involving fake vegetarians (who is taking the beef jerky?) and Kate’s quirky family, as well as a side story of whether Kate is really pining for the teacher’s helper in the 5 pre-K room, which are all interesting, but short enough to keep this story on track, as it really is a rather short and easy read. Overall, very well done.
I’ve never read anything else by Anne Tyler, but certainly am adding her to my to read list. However, I’ve already added the next Hogarth book that I want to read, which is Hagseed, as I’d read Margaret Atwood even if she was writing a phone book.
Quirky, “vinegar”main character. Quick, interesting read.
lighthearted
medium-paced
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Fun little story of family and friends. A single daughter of a research scientist involved in marrying fathers international assistant to keep him in the States. Love evolves.
This is an enjoyable,easy & humorous read. I found it hard to believe it was written by Anne Tyler as it so completely different to her usual style. What is her usual style however, is the characterisation & skill creating such ‘real’ descriptions & encounters which bring the whole book to life. All the main characters are quirky but likeable. As is the plot. I haven’t read Taming of the Shrew on which the story is based but I read a précis of the plot before starting this and can see it’s a very funny parody.