BOOK REVIEW: Vinegar Girl
by Anne Tyler
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ABOUT THE BOOK (from Amazon):
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 REVIEW:
This post contains affiliate links which means, at no cost to you,
I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase using those links.
I told my mom I had this book on my TBR list, so she sent me a copy. After I told her that, however, I realized it was actually Vinegar Hill by A. Manette Ansay that was on my list, not Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler. I originally had Vinegar Hill on my list from the days I was trying to read through all of the books on the Oprah’s Book Club list. I had read Digging to America by Anne Tyler, though, last year, and loved it, so I knew this one would probably be good as well.
On the cover of the book it says, “William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew Retold.” It’s basically a modern day version of The Taming of the Shrew.
Kate Battista is a 29-year-old preschool teacher who lives at home with her dad and her much younger sister. Because their mother died and their father is very absent and dedicated to his career as a scientist, Kate is the mother figure at home. She cooks and cleans, takes care of her father, and tries to keep her sister out of trouble. She is probably destined to become an old maid. That is until her father comes up with a plan to keep his research assistant, Pyotr, in the country…with Kate’s (reluctant) help.
The story is humorous and sweet. This is one of my favorite fiction books so far this year!