Vinegar Girl forms part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series, where contemporary authors update Shakespeare’s plays. Anne Tyler decided to to tackle Taming of the Shrew.
Out of Shakespeare’s plays, this one has been given a modern update quite a few times, the most memorable being Gil Junger’s 10 Things I Hate About You. Even if you haven’t read the play, the basic storyline is well known: a woman who does not gel with society, or her family, especially her sister, meets a man who she thinks is her total opposite but ends up warming up to him. Yes it’s a cliche and can be seen as problematic but one has to admit, this sort of plot was destined for Anne Tyler.
As all the Shakespeare remakes, the setting is contemporary. As this is Anne Tyler, it is Baltimore: Kindergarten assistant Kate Battista hates her job, has to run a household and does not get along with many people. One day her father wants her to marry his foreign lab assistant Pyotr so that he gets a green card and can stay in The states. At first Kate dislikes the idea as Pyotr is not that refined and she prefers the other TA, Adam but then she realises that despite his flaws Pyotr acceptes kate for who she is and they marry and live happily ever after.
In between Anne Tyler slips in a commentary about immigrants and how they are seen through American society (despite America being a land of immigrants), it’s also a feminist novel as it questions the role of a married woman. There’s a running joke as everyone pronounces the Pyotr as Pyoder and there’s the trademark Anne Tyler warm moments and a mystery of sorts.
On the whole this is fine, not mnd blowing but solid. It’s a fun read and well written. When I read remakes like this, I try see if the author manages to mesh their own style with Shakespeare’s plots. In this case it works well. Maybe the mystery could have been left out (although it does have a role in the plot) but it’s a non offensive pleasant read.
Like this? try this: Anne Tyler – A Spool of Blue Thread
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