Dear Reader,,
In eighth grade we read Hamlet in our English class. This was my first exposure to Shakespeare in an academic setting, and I have to confess: I can’t say I was particularly sad when most of them died at the end. I remember thinking, if this was the kind of melodramatic crap I’d be reading as an English major, I’d need to seriously reconsider my future life choices on campus. Luckily, the Bard did not scare me off being an English major. In fact, he ultimately was the reason I minored in theater studies. When I arrived on my college campus, there were flyers everywhere for tryouts for Macbeth. Highly skeptical of Shakespeare after Hamlet, I nonetheless tried out. With only six female characters in the entire play, my odds were slim, but I did get to audition with the three witches’ monologue (you know the one: “Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble…”) and there was something magic in those words. Even though I didn’t get a part, I bought tickets to opening night and was blown away by the moody, Scottish moor setting, Lady Macbeth, and the dire consequences of ambition. I loved it so much, I went three more times. Macbeth ushered in a sophomore seminar on the tragedies, a class on the sonnets, and an introduction to theater studies. (If you ever wondered where the inspiration for Miranda’s talent for injuring herself came from? Look no further. Table saws are not my friend.) And when I was back home in the summers, I went to all of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s free performances on the Boston Common. (Can you blame me that the residents of Bard’s Rest prefer their Shakespeare outdoors and under the stars?) Even now as an adult (allegedly) with a career to tend to and a micro human to raise, I still love reading the Bard’s plays. I love
that there are big chunks of his life we know nothing about, like his actual date of birth. I love that there are theories out there that he didn’t even write these works. I love that we still use so many of his expressions today. (I mean, c’mon, let’s give the devil his due. See what I did there?) Oh, and I would personally love it if we could bring back “cream-faced loon” and “three-inch fool” as everyday insults. But most of all, I still love to see his plays performed, to sit rapt as those big themes of love, revenge, duty, betrayal, chance, and fate come to life on the stage. This love of the Bard’s works flows through Miranda, Adam, and the whole town of Bard’s Rest in their everyday lives and brings them together as a community. It’s that infectious, communal love of Shakespeare that leads a wary Miranda back into Adam’s orbit as the two are swept up in the planning for the town’s annual Shakespearean festival. When the past is too difficult to talk about or they’re uncertain about what the future may bring, they have their shared love of the Bard to fall back on until they’re ready to forge ahead. I hope you too find something magical here in Bard’s Rest, whether it’s closing your eyes and catching the scent of coffee brewing at Much Ado About Pastry as you stroll down What’s in a Main Street, or taking the journey with Miranda and Adam as they navigate old hurts and uncertain futures set to the backdrop of Twelfth Night. In other words, farewell good reader, and good luck go with thee.
Jessica Martin
Discussion Questions
1.
2. 3. 4. 5.
If you could live in Bard’s Rest, would you, and if yes, what would be the name of your Shakespearean-themed storefront? Note: This author’s vote is for Much Ado About Dumplings, which a friend came up with after I’d already written and deeply committed to Much Ado About Pastry. The Barnes sisters are a talented bunch. Would you most like to have Miranda as your literary agent, Portia as your attorney, or Cordy as your personal chef? Early on, Miranda struggles with writer’s block. What do you think ultimately helps her push through it? What serves you best when you’re trying to solve a conundrum? Clan Barnes is a close-knit crew. What do you think of the way they interact with one another and weather family crises? Ready to sign up to be an honorary Barnes? Miranda and Adam have to overcome their past to move forward. Miranda struggles to trust Adam as a result of what happened on prom night, while Adam wrestles with his guilt. If you were in Miranda’s shoes, could you move forward and forgive Adam? If you were Adam, would you be able to forgive yourself and move on?
6. 7. 8. 9.
If you could write the next chapter in Miranda’s life, would she still be a writer? A literary agent? Both? Neither? If you are choosing to have her continue on as a writer, what’s her next project? Puck is a pivotal character in that he advances the plot and contributes to Miranda’s emotional well-being. Would you like to pet him a little or a whole lot? (Hint: This would be a perfect moment during book club to steer the conversation to pets.) Miranda and Adam each derive deep satisfaction from their careers. When the future of their romantic relationship clashes with their careers, they must make difficult decisions. Did you agree with their choices? Did they feel authentic to you? Unsurprisingly, Miranda drops a lot of Shakespearean quotes over the course of the novel. What’s your favorite Shakespearean quote or insult? Yes, you can use Google. This author loves muttering “crack of doom” under her breath when something goes awry.