FICTION

Beatrice and Benedick

by Marina Fiorato
St. Martin's. Dec. 2015. 448p. ISBN 9781250077134. $27.99; ebk. ISBN ebk. ISBN 9781466888982. F
COPY ISBN
In this prequel to the popular Shakespearean comedy Much Ado About Nothing. Shakespeare scholar and author (The Glassblower of Murano) Fiorato a takes readers back to the beginning of Beatrice and Benedick's famously volatile relationship, their "merry war," to quote the play. She also gives us a peek into the lives of other main and supporting characters. We experience Hero and Claudio's first flirtation, see the beginning of Don Pedro's friendly and manipulative ways, and learn more about Friar Francis. Additionally, the author weaves many historical events (the Spanish Armada, for example) of the period into her narrative. Set in Renaissance Italy, the novel gives more reasons to root for Beatrice and Benedick and provides several inside jokes for those familiar with the play.
VERDICT A good choice for fans of the Bard, most historical fiction readers, and some romance lovers. It should be noted that many romance fans will find this too long and detailed for their tastes and historical fiction readers may shy away if they don't take to Shakespeare. [See Prepub Alert, 6/29/15.]
Reviewed by Elizabeth McArthur, Texas Lutheran Univ. Lib., Seguin , Oct 15, 2015
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