First published 2020
In Sicily, the sharp-tongued Beatrice and the returning soldier Benedick trade barbs and insults with obvious delight. Both despise marriage and claim to find the opposite sex tiresome. Yet their friends see what they cannot: beneath the verbal sparring lies genuine affection. The friends hatch a scheme, convincing each that the other has secretly confessed love. Only then do Beatrice and Benedick drop their defenses and begin courting in earnest. Meanwhile, the naive young lovers Claudio and Hero face their own troubles. Claudio's jealousy and the villain Don John's scheming nearly destroy Hero's reputation through false accusations. By the story's end, Beatrice opens her guarded heart, Benedick proves his loyalty under pressure, Hero's honor is restored, and Claudio learns the cost of his hasty judgment. This guided edition removes minor passages while explaining unfamiliar terms and cultural references in advance, creating a smooth reading experience that matches the pleasure of live theater.
Genres: drama, romance, shakespeare, comedy
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Sicily
Period: 19th-century, 20th-century
159 pages · Paperback · Independently published