Manning, Sarra. Pretty things.MANNING, Sarra. Pretty things The Pretty Things were a 1960s and 1970s rock and roll band from London. They pioneered a raw approach to rhythm and blues that influenced a number of key bands of the 1960s British invasion, particularly The Rolling Stones. . Penguin, Dutton. 262p. c2005. 0-525-47522-2. $15.99. S* Mix Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew shrew, common name for the small, insectivorous mammals of the family Soricidae, related to the moles. Shrews include the smallest mammals; the smallest shrews are under 2 in. (5.1 cm) long, excluding the tail, and the largest are about 6 in. (15 cm) long. with four troubled teenagers looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. summer fun, two of whom are gay and two straight, and each suffering a crisis of sexual identity. Brie is a self-absorbed, apparently shallow girl obsessed ob·sess v. ob·sessed, ob·sess·ing, ob·sess·es v.tr. To preoccupy the mind of excessively. v.intr. with looks and fashion. Her best friend is Charlie, a boy who announces on homemade t-shirts that he is "gayer." Brie and Charlie are such good friends that they have sleepovers cuddled in each other's arms, and Brie fruitlessly wishes that Charlie would get over being gay. They have joined an acting group along with acquaintances Walker, a self-professed champion "shagger," and Daisy, a loud political lesbian whose lover is away for the summer. Problems arise when tiny-voiced Brie is cast as Kate, and "take no prisoners" Daisy is cast as Bianca. Walker is Petrucchio. Further problems arise when Charlie falls for Walker, Walker falls for Daisy, and Daisy looks at Brie with a speculative eye. Sexual confusion soon reigns. Told in the alternating voices of the four main characters, this novel is a modern version of slapstick slapstick Comedy characterized by broad humour, absurd situations, and vigorous, often violent action. It took its name from a paddlelike device, probably introduced by 16th-century commedia dell'arte troupes, that produced a resounding whack when one comic actor used it to romantic comedy, not unlike Kiss Me, Kate. Manning competently controls the four voices. Although the characters take themselves seriously, the effect is hilarious. Furthermore, the plot does not end as neatly as Shakespeare's comedies. The four end as friends but are still confused. This is a funny read, but those looking for tidy solutions and clear moral values will need to keep looking. Myrna Marler, Assoc. Prof. of English, BYU BYU Brigham Young University BYU Bayou BYU Bob's Your Uncle BYU Bayreuth, Germany - Bindlacher Berg (Airport Code) BYU Beyond Your Understanding , Provo, UT S--Recommended for senior high school students. *--The asterisk highlights exceptional books |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion