Ten Things I Hate about You

by David Levithan

A romantic comedy based on the classic Shakespeare play, The Taming of the Shrew, this book is a tie-in to the new teen movie starring Larisa Oleynik, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and teen idol Andrew Keegan.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Media Tie In, Humor, High School

170 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 1999

About the author

David Levithan (born 1972) is an American children's book editor and award-winning author. He published his first YA book, Boy Meets Boy, in 2003. Levithan is also the founding editor of PUSH, a Young Adult imprint of Scholastic Press.

Reviews

[Melannie :)]

... what the?!

The movie is based on a book?!
The book is by David Levithan?!

*ahhhhhhhhhhhhh*

MUST.READ.




I love you baaaaby, and if it's quite alright I need you baaaaby, to warm a lonely night ♪

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buzzword A Thon
Golden Girls Read A Thon: Read a book that includes female friendships

When I was 13 years old 10 Things I Hate About You was my favorite movie. I think I saw it in the theater at least 3x. I loved it! This movie was the first time I ever saw Heath Ledger and it was love at first sight. I was also still nursing my crush on Andrew Keegan(what ever happened to him) and I thought Julia Stiles was the coolest. I'm tempted to rewatch the movie but I fear I won't enjoy it as much as an adult.

If I'm being honest this book is probably a 2 star read but my nostalgia for the movie caused me to up the rating. 10 Things I Hate About You is a retelling of William Shakespeare's The Taming Of The Shrew. Bianca the most popular sophomore at Padua High wants to date but can't until her older sister Kat does and Kat has no interest in dating or parties. So Cameron one of the 2 boys vying for Bianca comes up with a plan to get Kat to go out with school bad boy Patrick.

Despite the condensed and rushed nature of the book it did make me want to watch the movie again. If for no other reason than to see a young Heath Ledger.

[Saranya ⋆☕︎ ˖ · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS HAS A BOOK??!!

OMGGGGG!!!😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭💞💞💞

I love the movie so much! This whole thing was based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.
If you know me well, then you must know how ardently I love Shakespeare's works! This was LEGENDARY
Oh my God.

HEATH LODGER😭😭😭😭😭

I love Kat and Patrick so much!!!😭😭😭💞💞💞

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Levithan and William Shakespeare did a collaboration! Yes! This book isn't quite up to Levithan's usual, brilliant standards, but there's no forcing anyone to agree that sun is actually the moon nonsense.

Ten Things I Hate About You is my favorite movie. This is not my favorite book, but it was pretty good. It is a heavily edited version of the movie in eighteen point font, with eight pages of photos from the movie. Because it was 1999 and you could have gone on the internet to look at pictures of Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger if you really needed to, but they would have loaded slowly.

Reading this book might take less time than watching the movie.

I was blindsided by how depressed Kat is. Ouch. I resemble that. This girl needed to transfer to an arts high school three years ago. Padua is not the place she can be and remain mentally healthy. It's bad. I weep for her. You'd think that by senior year, she'd have discovered more intellectual malcontents to hang out with, but it's only Mandella. Mandella! The best thing about this book is two cut scenes with Kat and Mandella and an afterward by Mandella explaining the parallels between this book and the Shakespeare. She's so cool. Maybe she's cooler than Julia Stiles. We don't see her enough in the movie. Let's win that Bechdel test!

Levithan manages to give Patrick multiple POV chapters without providing any more insight into his character than the movie gives us.

While I was reading, I kept reflecting that this novelization of a teen movie genre knows it's marketing itself to the parents of kids who want to watch the movie but aren't allowed to, but the parents are sympathetic enough to buy the kid the book to placate them. This novel takes it from a PG-13 to a PG. That part in Club Skunk where Heath Ledger says she's never looked so sexy. It's, "I've never seen you look like that before." And, at the end, "It's not everyday you find a girl who will distract a teacher to get you out of detention." Uh huh. I forgot how modestly ribald this movie is, like Shakespeare, until it was all edited out.

There's a couple more short scenes with Kat and Bianca at school, and Biance and Joseph Gordon-Leavitt have an ending. In the movie, they just invite a sad Kat to go sailing with them. the plan is for Mandella and Michael to meet them at the boat rental, Joseph Gordon-Leavitt says. Good new group of friends.

Bianca and Chastity don't get a happy ending. I wish they did. Chicks before dicks. How could a person not want to stay friends with Gabrielle Union? Maybe they reunite later. Joey's graduating, and they've got two years of high school left. Friendship!

Great book. Great movie. Good job, Dave and Billy. Top shelf literature. RIP Heath Ledger.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review by Steffi

10 Things I Hate About You is a movie based on the "Taming of the Shrew" written by William Shakespeare, and is a brilliant modern adaptation. Characters names are linked and I have to say when reading the play for the first time in college I found myself thinking back to the film to understand what was happening!

First of all...I absolutely love this film...like to the point I can repeat 3/4 of the film while its on, and it never fails to make me cry!

I had seen the film before I read "Taming of the Shrew" and only just recently realised there was a book based on 10 Things I hate about you. When reading Taming of the Shrew I liked some of the links between characters i.e. Patrick Verona was based on Petruchio from Verona, small things like that impress me when they do a rewrite! I was really excited to read the book, however it did slightly disappoint.

The book was written after the film, and unfortunately this is on you can tell...The chapters are all very very small so even though you are getting perspectives of each character it is not really enough to get a full feel for the characters, if you haven't seen the film. If you have seen it then you already have the knowledge of the characters and what's going to happen, so I think its nice as a good reference material or for a big fan, but this wouldn't be something I could recommend to someone who hasn't seen it as it doesn't do the film justice.

I think I may have expected this to be like many novelisations of films where the books are trying to give more information and character back story that the film wasn't able to do. However in this on I advise skipping the book and running straight to the film.

[⋆˚࿔-ˏˋAlessia ˊˎ ˚⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who was gonna tell me this was a book? Also suprise audio read btw ! RIP Heath Ledger

[Sasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess this book is only for big fans of the movie. Like, big big fans. Whose life is the movie. And the movie is their life.
Okay, maybe not in such a dramatic fashion, but if you don't know/love/like the movie, this book is quite boring. While the main story is nice and could be real fun, what we get here is short and superficial and ... just not really good. It's as if Levithan ticked off the different events of the movie without going into much detail and within a few pages you're presented a story that should be complicated. Not that his writing is bad, though the sentences are awfully short sometimes. But, well, I prefer the movie. It's more elaborate and simply more fun; you've got the actors and pictures and music; in the book, you've got sentences that don't draw a picture. It's basically the script written in prose, without all the details. You still want that? Then go for it, by all means.

______________________

EDIT: Da bestell ich schon eine etwas "teurere" Ausgabe, damit es eine ordentliche ist, und dann ist das Buch eher akzeptabel, bestenfalls gut statt sehr gut. 9€ insgesamt also für ein Flohmarktbuch mit fehlender Ecke und extrem großem Schriftbild, super. Dass die Verkäufer_innen eine_n auch immer so verarschen müssen!
______________________

Wait, WHAT. There's a novel for my favourite guilty-pleasure movie? And it's written by David Levithan? Why didn't you tell me.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!!! But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.

[monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

kat and patrick u will always be loved by me 🫶🏾

[Bianca]

not me reading this acting shocked like i don’t watch this movie at least once a year 🫨🫨 (& yes this book is my prized possession!)

[Chiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this is a movie novelisation but SERIOUSLY, it was like reading the movie. It was so cute.

[Kasandra Setrakova · Rating 3 out of 5]

10 Things I Hate About You [David Levithan]

היי חברים וחברות,
מצאתי את הספר הזה בגודרידרס בזמן שחיפשתי מה לקרוא... והתלהבתי כ"כ!!! רק ש... הוא לא קיים בדיגיטלי.

זה לא עצר אותי, הרי יש אמזון.. רק שהוא החליט שלא בא לו יותר להדפיס את היצירה הזו... מזל שיש יד 2!

אומנם הספר היה בדרך קרוב ל3 חודשים.. אבל הוא הגיעעעעעעעעע והוא יהיה חלק מהספרייה שלי 😍

מה אפשר להגיד, הנובלה הזו היא העתקה כמעט מדוייקת (החלקים של המורה לספרות לצערי לא היה נוכחים) עם טיפה יותר ידע על מה שעבר על הדמויות בכל הסצנה, אבל ממש מעט.

לא יודעת להגיד אם הייתי נהנת מהספר הזה אם לא הייתי מעריצה את הסרט... אבל למזלי אני לא צריכה לחשוב על זה, כי אהבתי את הסרט,- אהבתי את הספר.

אז... למי שלא ראתה/ראה את הסרט,- תעשו לעצמכם טובה ולכו לראות... אבל הינה לה הסקירה.

כל פרק בנובלה הזו היא מנקודת מבט שונה, ויש 5-6 גיבורים.

הנובלה מתחילה מקייט, היא מותק.

Like every prisoner, I must have a strategy for survival. If I let my guard down, the airheaded masses might suck me into their wannabe popularity whirl. I must defend myself.

יש לה אחות שהיא ההפך מימנה, מקובלת, סכרת- ביאנקה.
דמות נוספת בנובלה הזו זה קמרון, תלמיד חדש שמתאהב במבט ראשון בביאנקה.

לקייט וביאנקה יש אבא שאוהב אותם, ושומר עליהן, לכן לא מרשה להן לצאת לדייטים, הדבר מתאים לקייט (שונאת את העולם) אבל לא לביאנקה.
ואבא שלהם מוצא פיתרון,- היא יכולה לצאת אם אחותה יוצאת.

היא מספרת את זה לקמרון והוא מנסה למצוא פיתרון.

No matter who they are, no matter how desperate they've become, not a single XY will consider even considering a date with Kat Stratford.

ופה לסיפור נכנס פטריק..
קייט ממש "מאושרת" מזה שהוא נכנס לחייה.

As if my life wasn't bad enough, I now have my own personal stalker. I don't care what he looks like. I want him to go away.

אבל הם מתיידדים

"Why're you doing this?" I slur. "I told you. You might have a concussion." "You don't care if I never wake up." "Sure I do." "Why?" I have to ask. "Because then l'd have to start taking out girls who actually like me."


אני מאוד שמחה שיש אותו בספריה שלי 😍

[Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the only book that I was able to read during my Christmas vacation. Probably because it was really short like I finished it in one sitting.

The movie, 10 Things I Hate About You is absolutely my favorite movie or well, one of my favorites. I love the story, the characters and the plot itself. It's just so sweet and cute. In short, I totally love it despite the inconsistencies of some scenes.

The story is about two sisters, Kat and Bianca who have a strict father. Bianca can't date if Kat won't. So Cameron looked for a guy who can date Kat so he can date Bianca and there goes the start of the complications.

So when I knew that a book adaptation of the movie was written by David Levithan, I was so excited! So I asked a friend to get me a copy then...

Can I just say that I was totally disappointed by the way it was written? No, seriously, it was really badly written (well, for me, okay). And I can't even think that Levithan wrote it. I mean, I love WGWG and NNIP. It was written through different point of views. It was just like a run-down of the script with more monologue per character. So when I read this, goodness, I felt like I was reading a copy that should probably undergo a lot of editing. So here are two sentences I find to be an insult to the english grammar or actually, to the literary context itself and of course, to the movie!

"I tell him I'm "getting trashed, man." What everyone expects you to do at a party."

Isn't it more appropriate to just write it in a dialogue way so it'll be more direct? It really did irritate me. It gives me a weird feeling. I mean, Kat said it to Patrick so it should be written as a conversation and not just a thought of Kat even though it was her POV. They were having a conversation anyway. There are a lot of sentences like this. But it's bearable so just go on. Still, it's irritating.

"She really believes this. And the reason she does is because she can't conceive that there's any other way to live her life."

I learned it long ago that when you try to say a "reason" of something in a sentence, you don't write "because" anymore after it since it is redundant. So yeah, it irritated me. As far as I'm concerned, it should be: "And the reason she does is that she can't conceive..."

I know I'm just ranting about this book but tell you what, no matter how screwed up the writing is (again, for me), this is one of my favorites because of the plot and characters itself. Writing wise, I'm giving it a 2 since I was able to bear it! This is actually the first time I didn't like the writing but love the story itself. That's possible right?

So anyway, I strongly suggest you go see the movie first. It's really cute. And. Sweet. Then if you're up for a short read, grab this. But of course, not everything in the book is in the movie. So expect some changes. Minor only. Despite the changes and the bad writing (for me), this story deserves to be known for its utter cuteness!

P.S. Since this is my last post for this year, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year friends! I'm wishing you and your families good health and prosperous life. :)

[Camila Gil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Adoro esta historia! Pero se aprecia mejor en la película.

[Isabella Dardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

All time favorite book and movie. Perfect depiction of High School and the way everything is not what it seems in a relationship. The highs and lows, truths and lies.

[Rania♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost exactly like watching the movie. It's a pretty small novel and the chapters are really short making it easy to read it all at once.

[kenslee ྀི · Rating 3 out of 5]

i loved it and honestly didn’t realize they made a book about the movie, though i sort of liked the movie more because the book doesn’t really have the same spark as the movie. Like for instance, anything that made the movie PG-13 was written out of the book, like the humor (maybe it’s because it’s a scholastic book?). I read this in no time so it’s definitely great for a slow reader such as me haha

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! LOVED IT!

[l a r a s n o w w h i t e · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute

[Jesmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

"10 Things I Hate About You" by David Levithan is a triumph of contemporary young adult literature, skillfully adapting Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" into a compelling narrative that resonates with timeless themes of love, identity, and personal growth. Levithan's adaptation is not merely a retelling but a reimagining that breathes new life into familiar characters and situations, making them relevant and captivating for modern readers.

Central to the novel is the magnetic love story between Kat Stratford and Patrick Verona. Kat, the elder sister known for her sharp intellect and rebellious spirit, immediately commands attention with her refreshing complexity. Levithan portrays Kat as a protagonist who challenges stereotypes and societal expectations with every acerbic remark and principled stand. Her journey towards vulnerability and self-discovery is a journey that readers can't help but invest in deeply.

Patrick Verona, the enigmatic bad boy with a tender heart beneath his tough exterior, emerges as a perfect foil to Kat's strong personality. Their initial interactions are marked by witty banter and mutual skepticism, but as their relationship evolves, Levithan deftly peels back the layers of both characters, revealing their vulnerabilities and insecurities. Patrick's gradual reveal as a character of depth and integrity challenges Kat's perceptions and ultimately wins her heart in a way that feels authentic and earned.

What sets Levithan's adaptation apart is its nuanced exploration of teenage emotions and relationships. The author captures the complexities of adolescent identity, the pressures of peer expectations, and the quest for authenticity with sensitivity and insight. Through Kat and Patrick's evolving relationship, Levithan offers profound insights into the transformative power of love and the importance of embracing one's true self.

Levithan's prose is another highlight of the novel, characterized by its sharp wit, evocative descriptions, and poignant observations. The dialogue crackles with authenticity, capturing the cadence of teenage speech while delivering memorable lines that resonate long after the book is finished. Each character, from the main protagonists to the supporting cast, is crafted with depth and nuance, contributing to a richly textured narrative that feels both familiar and fresh.

Furthermore, the novel's setting in a modern high school provides a relatable backdrop for the characters' experiences and dilemmas. Levithan expertly navigates the dynamics of adolescence, addressing issues of friendship, family dynamics, and societal expectations with finesse. The setting enhances the story's realism, allowing readers to connect more deeply with the characters' journeys of self-discovery and personal growth.

In conclusion, "10 Things I Hate About You" is a standout novel that honors its literary roots while offering a contemporary exploration of love and identity that is both timeless and timely. David Levithan's adaptation captivates with its compelling characters, insightful themes, and skillful storytelling, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted romance and a thought-provoking narrative. Whether you're drawn to Shakespearean adaptations or simply enjoy a heartfelt love story, this novel delivers on all fronts, leaving a lasting impression with its memorable characters and poignant themes.

[Timmy Cham · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I be waspish, best beware my sting -- Taming of the Shrew (Act II: scene i)

This little paperback, made into a movie in 1999, retells Shakespeare's play The Taming of the Shrew as a high school drama: Cameron and Joey carry a torch for Bianca. Bianca wants a chance to date. The problem is, Daddy won't let her start dating before her older "shrew" of a sister, Kat, begins dating herself. Solution? Patrick Verona, who's willing to woo the difficult Kat...but only if he's compen$ated for the arduous job.

One thing leads to a-farcical-nother: Cameron tutors Bianca in French ("You speak French?" he's asked; "No, but I will," he vows.). But Bianca falls for the rough charms of Joey. Bianca goes on a date with Joey. Bianca falls out of "like" with Joey. Meanwhile, Patrick perseveres in his mi$$ion to move Kat's seemingly unshakable aversion to "unwashed high school miscreants." Patrick succeeds--then finds himself falling for Kat. Kat discovers Patrick's attentions were fueled by the profit motive ("Only at first!" he protests). It takes some sorting out, but all ends well--as is par for the course in a Shakespeare comedy.

This modern rendition of the drama has its charms. It slips in a couple of allusions to The Bard (Macbeth"s "Who could refrain that...in that heart [had] courage to make love known?"; and "Sweet love, renew thy force!" from Sonnet LVI.)

The story also has its occasional thought-provoking observations: There are two kinds of looking--one respectful, "daring not touch" the apple of one's eye, and the other "that's like slurping a Coke" (page 12). There are two kinds of changes in life: "sometimes...it's totally out of your control....Sometimes, though, you have a say in where your life is going to go" (page 96). There are two kinds of kisses between lovers: a kiss to "shut up" what one's Beloved is saying, and another kiss "because [they] understand" (page 105).

I enjoyed this book: it gave me what I expected--I wanted lightly funny, with touches of teenage angst and earnestness. And that's what I got. It's worth checking out. Students might find it fun to draw out more parallels between this story and the Shakespearean original. And parallels there always are--for while times may change, people, and the love between them, never change. And since "the course of true love never did run smooth", this means there will always be some comedy in the flowering of serious love.

[Plainsboro Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

A modern classic is David Levithan's ’10 Things I Hate About You’. It blends Shakespearean zest with the troubles and challenges of present high school life. This book, through an intelligent narrative and characters that we can all relate to, establishes itself as a masterpiece. The Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare is skillfully adapted by Levithan who sets it in Padua High School. In this book, Kat and Bianca Stratford deal with love and friendship. The novel is therefore both a treasure for literature lovers and high school students due to its perfect blend between the old and new. What makes ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ different from other stories about teenage years is its genuineness alongside being heartfelt. Not one emotion falls flat when read – they all have profound impact on us because they are very real. More than just being light reading material; this book takes you inside the minds and hearts of people who could easily be your friends. It should definitely be read by those seeking different perspective on timeless tales as well deeper knowledge about what it means being teenager. There are some stories which according to Levithan need retelling; hence he provides an excellent example such as ’10 Things I Hate About You’.

David Levithan's '10 Things I Hate About You' brilliantly reimagines Shakespeare for the modern high schooler, blending timeless themes with contemporary flair. With its relatable characters and clever storytelling, it's destined to become a classic for its ability to capture the essence of adolescence. A must-read for anyone seeking a fresh take on familiar tales and a deeper connection to the teenage experience.

Tithi Mehta, Grade 9

[Dana Youst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten Things I Hate about You is a super short book, sitting at 170 pages and rather large print. It is the type of book that is great when you are short on time or want a break from some of the heavier books. It has been a few years since I saw the movie but it is almost exactly word for word from the movie. I do recommend the book if you like Young Adult books and want something you can read in less than two hours.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat novelization and worthy of your attention of you like the movie. Each chapter is from the POV of one of the various characters—could be one page, could be five. A very clever presentation.

The book holds back on more of the “adult” content—cursing, for example—presumably so it could be marketed to the younger crowd, so, if that edgy humor is the main draw to the movie for you, then expect it to be dulled during this read.

[Nea · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite movie has a book?!?! Sing mw up for it!


This book was so amazing that i actually read it in an hour, like what??

For those who has seen the movie (and if you don't what are you doing?) This is pretty much the movie from the perspective of every character but you're alowed to see their thought's and that is a BIG plus for someone who loves the movie! AND my version comes with pictures of the movie in the middle! A M A Z I N G

[carissa fowler (ceglia) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Considering it was made after the movie, that I’ve seen a million and one times, I’m slightly disappointed. Levithan took out some of the most crucial lines of the movie. He made it more PG and honestly that was disappointing for me. He even ruined my favorite line: Don’t let anyone, ever, make you feel like you don’t deserve what you want. I read it in an hour so it’s short and didn’t waste too much of my time.

[Jadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should have looked at this book closer before getting it, I didn't realize it was just a novelization of the movie. Which is ok for a quick read I guess, which was what I was looking for. I really like this movie and it reminded me about it, since I haven't seen it in a long time.

[tesa jovicic · Rating 5 out of 5]

ah!!! yes!! i loved this even more than the movie. this story makes me feel so happy and giddy. i really liked how it switched between characters. it was really fast paced. such a fun book and movie love it

[Emily Baio · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5

Rounded up because this is quite literally my favorite movie and I was saying the lines as the characters the whole time. Not Levithan’s best work but if you love the film this is a cute read.

[Becky Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the heartfelt content of this book can move a whole ocean. It’s truly a very special book. One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. Even though its age, it still makes my heart pound every time I read it.