The Wife of Willesden

“Rollicking . . . It’s hard to imagine anyone not having a good time while reading The Wife of Willesden or seeing it performed. It’s a pleasure to watch Smith refresh a masterpiece of English literature with the vitality and sheer verbal relish of contemporary vernacular speech.” —Boston Globe

“Astonishingly clever and entertaining . . . Smith’s text, spiked with raucous and often erotic satire, is almost a direct transposition of ‘The Wife of Bath’s Tale,’ with an updated cast featuring Nelson Mandela, Black Jesus, Alvita’s pious aunt, the minister of a local megachurch and all five of Alvita’s hapless husbands. ‘The Wife of Bath’s Tale,’ originally commentary on 14th-century sexual politics, is surprisingly relevant today. And Alvita is perfectly positioned, just like Alyson in her day, to galvanize those who could use a little more wildness in their lives.” —Shelf Awareness (starred review)

“A triumph of dramatic creativity . . . a total delight. Highly recommended.” —Library Journal (starred review)