Join us for Vinegar Girl

Words, Words, Words, the Folger Shakespeare Library Book Club, is pleased to announce the next book discussion – Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler on Thursday, May 5, at 6:30pm (ET).

Participation is free, but registration is required. Click below to reserve your spot. Please note the discussion questions include spoilers.

All discussions will be held in Zoom and instructions for accessing the conversation will be sent out on the Tuesday prior. We will also share the discussion questions, supplemental materials, and suggestions for sips and snacks in advance.

Hope to see you there!

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Discussion questions

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Vinegar Girl

by Anne Tyler

Thursday, May 5 at 6:30pm (ET)

Pulitzer Prize-winner and American master Anne Tyler (French Braid, A Spool of Blue Thread) 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?

Why did we choose this book?

The Folger Shakespeare Library's collection explores not only Shakespeare's life and works, but also the plays' historical context, source material, critical and performance histories, and the ways in which they inspire and are adapted by contemporary novelists.

Vinegar Girl, part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series, borrows its plot structure and character inspirations from Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, updating its themes of gender roles and marriage to reflect contemporary concerns.

Catch up with If We Were Villains

Not able to join us for this month's discussion of If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio? The Folger Spotlight has introductory and supplemental material—including discussion questions—to help you explore the book or even host your own conversation.

Introductory Material

Folger Resources

Collection Items

M. L. Rio on Virtually Everything!

Virtually Everything: M. L. Rio

Wednesday, April 13, 5:30 pm ET

Live on Zoom | Exclusive for Folger Members

BECOME A MEMBER

Members of the Folger Shakespeare Library are invited to exclusive programs, including Virtually Everything!, Folger Director Michael Witmore's monthly, smart, joyful interview series about... well, everything! Previous guests on the program include authors Deborah Harkness and Alexandra Petri.

This coming Wednesday, April 13, Mike will join in conversation with M. L. Rio to discuss Shakespearean Fictions, His and Ours. Hear from the If We Were Villains author and bring your questions (but keep in mind—she won't talk about the ending!).

We would like to thank the following organizations for their generous support of this program

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