I was suppose to see Taming of the Shrew at the Globe in London, but there was some shenigans with the date and we didn’t make it. Hence, I decided to read this one.
I am a fan of Anne Tyler,
The blurb …
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?
I am not really sure about this one. Of course Anne Tyler writes beautifully, but I felt Kate lacked wit. I did like the plotting by her father and Pyotr (and the adventure with the mice), but ultimately I didn’t warm to this novel.
A review.