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William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Clueless
Clueless gets a makeover that Cher Horowitz and the Bard would approve of in this charming and witty retelling of the beloved ’90s movie, presented as an authentic Shakespearean play written in iambic pentameter. Cher, the fairest maiden of Beverly Hills, takes center stage in this comedy of errors in which matchmaking, makeovers, and mall-hopping lead to plenty of merry-making—until Cher realizes her good intentions are creating mischief for her friends and family, including her new best friend Tai and her cute stepbrother Josh. The only solution? Admit that she knoweth nothing and beginneth anew.
Just in time for the movie’s 25th anniversary, best-selling author Ian Doescher rolleth with the homies as he brings his signature Shakespearean wordsmithing to this beloved tale.
Just in time for the movie’s 25th anniversary, best-selling author Ian Doescher rolleth with the homies as he brings his signature Shakespearean wordsmithing to this beloved tale.
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2020
13 people are currently reading
727 people want to read
About the author
Ian Doescher
48 books726 followersIan is the author of the William Shakespeare Star Wars series and the Pop Shakespeare series, and other books. He's a Portland native, and lives in Portland with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
April 29, 2020
Clueless in iambic pentameter? SOLD. Think Shakespeare does Clueless does Emma. Revisiting my all-time favorite movie in this form was quite a treat. Fun and very clever! It’s part of Doescher’s Pop Shakespeare series, which I did not know was a thing, but what a fun concept! Will definitely look for more.
July 9, 2020
As if! As if the author weren’t clever!
As if this isn’t true to the movie!
As if my review wouldn’t be iambic!
As if I wouldn’t give this book a five!
Reading scavenger hunt: book with the letters R, I, S, & K in the title.
As if this isn’t true to the movie!
As if my review wouldn’t be iambic!
As if I wouldn’t give this book a five!
Reading scavenger hunt: book with the letters R, I, S, & K in the title.
May 19, 2021
STUNNING
Cluess but make it Shakespeare.
Such a fun read!
What I would give for a Freaky Friday Pop Shakespeare book...
Cluess but make it Shakespeare.
Such a fun read!
What I would give for a Freaky Friday Pop Shakespeare book...
May 1, 2020
AS IF I could give this less than 5 stars!
March 8, 2025
As if I wouldn’t like this! Saw it at the thrift shop for $3 and simply had to get it. Pure fun to read (and pick out all the references to actual Shakespeare plays) and honestly, they should use these in schools to introduce kids to Shakespeare and make it accessible to them.
June 1, 2023
Shakespeare meets Cher Horowitz?! Absolute Perfection. ♡
July 1, 2021
So much fun. It’s literally the plot of Clueless but told in iambic pentameter and with Shakespearean twists on the movie’s most iconic lines. And there are fun little winks and nods to Jane Austen since Clueless is based off Emma. Just a really fun time, and I really enjoyed it!
November 23, 2020
This was such a fun and quick read! It took less than a day to read and was very enjoyable.
April 13, 2023
If only the world still cared for words in the way Ian Doescher does! My favorite movie rewritten “as if” by the bard himself. I am obsessed!
August 24, 2023
Cute and fun!
Read
April 20, 2020I think I've read pretty much every book Ian Doescher has ever released. I will always like the Star Wars books the most, but they are all very clever and entertaining.
May 3, 2021
This review is for English teachers interested in using Taming as an introduction to iambic pentameter. We read the book and loved it, too, on it's own, and think Doescher has hit another Pop Shakespeare out of the ballpark, but teaching the book is my focus for this review.
There are a few structural elements of this play you need to consider before deciding whether to use as a Readers Theater in class. Doescher's Taming play has even fewer speaking roles than Get Thee Back … to the Future! Therefore, if your class is small -- 18-20 students, max -- it could still work well. If your class is more like 30+ students, plan on at least half the class not reading aloud for any given Act. And as always, I recommend synchronizing reading and watching the film, at least to start, so students get an idea for how the play is derivative from the movie. The small number of active reading parts could work to your advantage, if you have English learners who need time to listen, process and figure out how the movie, play and language correspond. On the other hand, if your class is antsy, or very large, I'd look instead at teaching / using Doescher's Verily: A New Hope, which has plenty of speaking roles for larger classes.
If you still choose to use this, it means you'll have to closely watch / record student readers to make sure all your students get a chance to read out loud. Using one of Doescher's books as a Readers Theater, even with older students, is fun and builds confidence with the language. On my blog, I provide free downloadable Reading Role Sheets to help you keep track of readers, day-to-day.
Another key element to note with this play: there is no "Chorus" part, at all, so there are no all-class opportunities for speaking / reading aloud. If you have reluctant readers, for any reason, this could be a drawback, and again, I'd suggest using Verily instead (which does have an extensive Chorus).
As with Mean Girls, a Reader's Guide is included / printed in the back of the book. It contains an explanation of iambic pentameter with examples drawn directly from the book, an explanation of using thee, thou, ye, thy, and thine, and a brief listing of the Shakespearean "hallmarks" of the text: the five act play, minimal stage directions, rhyming couplets at the end of scenes, asides, soliloquies, generous use of anaphora and extended metaphors / wordplay, and in this one, adapted songs from the movie soundtrack, which provide for some interesting lyrics / Doescher compare / contrasts.
Quirk currently does not offer a separate teaching guide for this text, so I'd recommend using it and the film as a fun, no-stress way to introduce iambic pentameter. The play is rather short, as well, so it doesn't take much time to "perform" in class and watch the film.
I do hope your students enjoy!
Visit my blog for the Reading Role sheets mentioned in this review, or if you're looking for great middle grade book recommendations and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
There are a few structural elements of this play you need to consider before deciding whether to use as a Readers Theater in class. Doescher's Taming play has even fewer speaking roles than Get Thee Back … to the Future! Therefore, if your class is small -- 18-20 students, max -- it could still work well. If your class is more like 30+ students, plan on at least half the class not reading aloud for any given Act. And as always, I recommend synchronizing reading and watching the film, at least to start, so students get an idea for how the play is derivative from the movie. The small number of active reading parts could work to your advantage, if you have English learners who need time to listen, process and figure out how the movie, play and language correspond. On the other hand, if your class is antsy, or very large, I'd look instead at teaching / using Doescher's Verily: A New Hope, which has plenty of speaking roles for larger classes.
If you still choose to use this, it means you'll have to closely watch / record student readers to make sure all your students get a chance to read out loud. Using one of Doescher's books as a Readers Theater, even with older students, is fun and builds confidence with the language. On my blog, I provide free downloadable Reading Role Sheets to help you keep track of readers, day-to-day.
Another key element to note with this play: there is no "Chorus" part, at all, so there are no all-class opportunities for speaking / reading aloud. If you have reluctant readers, for any reason, this could be a drawback, and again, I'd suggest using Verily instead (which does have an extensive Chorus).
As with Mean Girls, a Reader's Guide is included / printed in the back of the book. It contains an explanation of iambic pentameter with examples drawn directly from the book, an explanation of using thee, thou, ye, thy, and thine, and a brief listing of the Shakespearean "hallmarks" of the text: the five act play, minimal stage directions, rhyming couplets at the end of scenes, asides, soliloquies, generous use of anaphora and extended metaphors / wordplay, and in this one, adapted songs from the movie soundtrack, which provide for some interesting lyrics / Doescher compare / contrasts.
Quirk currently does not offer a separate teaching guide for this text, so I'd recommend using it and the film as a fun, no-stress way to introduce iambic pentameter. The play is rather short, as well, so it doesn't take much time to "perform" in class and watch the film.
I do hope your students enjoy!
Visit my blog for the Reading Role sheets mentioned in this review, or if you're looking for great middle grade book recommendations and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
April 25, 2020
Loved it! I laughed out loud at several spots, and it really made me remember how much I love the film.
November 19, 2022
(A boy approaches Cher and puts his arm around her)
[To boy:] Off, brute! Or I shall cage thee. {Aside:} Fie, as if!
….so so slay
[To boy:] Off, brute! Or I shall cage thee. {Aside:} Fie, as if!
….so so slay
July 11, 2020
Clueless in a Shakesperian timewarp
Ian Doescher, who set all nine Star Wars mainline films as Shakesperian plays has turned his attention to pop teenage movies (the others are Back to the Future and Mean Girls). Clueless offers challenges to his attempt too keep grounded in the 90s—the 1590s—despite references to malls and such. It is all fun and sticks close to the film for the most part, even to including some of the songs from the soundtrack revisioned as Shakesperian ballads but still singable if one can decode them.
Ian Doescher, who set all nine Star Wars mainline films as Shakesperian plays has turned his attention to pop teenage movies (the others are Back to the Future and Mean Girls). Clueless offers challenges to his attempt too keep grounded in the 90s—the 1590s—despite references to malls and such. It is all fun and sticks close to the film for the most part, even to including some of the songs from the soundtrack revisioned as Shakesperian ballads but still singable if one can decode them.
August 30, 2021
William Shakespeare's Taming of the Clueless. Ian Doescher. 2020. [April] 192 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence:
Jane: Cher--handsome, clever, rich--who had a home
Most comfortable, a happy disposition,
Seem'd to unite, wherever she did roam,
The blessings of existence's condition.
Premise/plot: Ian Doescher has adapted the movie Clueless for his Pop Shakespeare series. It is adaptation of an adaption. In the afterword, he noted that he read Emma and watched Clueless before beginning his work. He also noted that he thinks that the plot of Clueless comes closest to something William Shakespeare would have written--in comparison with the other titles he's written/adapted.
So if you've seen the movie Clueless, you know the premise and plot of this one. Balthasar appears throughout singing the movie's soundtrack!
Behold, beyond the window,
'neath the sky,
The rushing carriages do pass thee by,
Whilst I do sit, to loneliness resign'd,
And ponder wherefore questions fill
my mind.
'Tis Friday night! I feel the soothing
heat
And search this filthy city for a beat--
Downtown, the young ones go,
hey nonny non,
Downtown, the young ones grow,
hey nonny hey!
We are the children of America,
The children we of new America.
and
Where didst thou go? Where didst thou go?
Mine emptiness doth grow.
Where didst thou go? Where didst thou go?
I'm lost, and fain would know.
You can expect to find all the most memorable, iconic lines from the movie...
DIONNE: Didst see? Thou pass'd a sign that bid thee stop--
'Twas large and red, octagonally shap'd--
Yet thou drove on like thou wert being chas'd.
CHER: A pause complete I register'd therein.
TRAVIS
—Unexpected!
No speech prepar’d I for this honor.
These few words, though, I’d gladly utter:
The tardy life’s the work of many—
My tardiness by many people
Created was. Yea, I am grateful
Unto my parents, ne’er rides giving,
The drivers of the L. A. buses
Who took a chance upon an unknown.
Last—not the least—the wonderful crew
At old McDonalds Inn, that spendeth
Their hours at cooking Egg McMuffins,
Sans which I never might be tardy.
CHER
Full well I know th’exhaustion of thy heart.
Still, though, I’ll warrant sport shall do us good—
Of late my body feels most heiferlike,
All weight and hips and udders ev’rywhere,
Like I had stomachs four that I must fill.
Today I had two bowls of Special K,
Three pieces of delightful turkey bacon,
A full hand’s worth of popp’d corn most delicious,
Five peanut butter M and Ms—
CHER
Though I’d not be a traitor to my age,
No turncoat to my generation bold—
I do confess confusion and dismay.
The way lads dress is nothing short of odd,
As if they fell, like apples, from their beds,
Adorn’d themselves in poorly fitting pants—
More like broad bags than pantaloons, in troth—
Then cover greasy hair with filthy caps,
Which they wear backward and proclaim it style.
In public they appear array’d as such,
And should we women swoon to see them so?
Nay, I think not, and never shall be sway’d!
To search for lads in high school is a quest
As useless as the hunt for meaning in
The dramas of the actor Pauly Shore—
The nation’s jester: a most dull fool he,
And none but libertines delight in him.
CHER
Eureka, I have fall’n in love with Josh!
Josh, he whom I have known since I was small,
Who tickles me and jabs me when nearby,
Who gives me cause to smile when I am sad,
Whose presence is a comfort in itself,
Who help’d me learn to drive my carriage well,
Whom I do dearly love to torment so,
Who, all these years, hath been a friend to me—
By heaven, it is he I love, none other!
Completely, totally, and majorly
My heart doth move toward him utterly!
My thoughts: I thought this was a super-fun read. It was fun, silly, enjoyable. A great way to spend a weekend.
First sentence:
Jane: Cher--handsome, clever, rich--who had a home
Most comfortable, a happy disposition,
Seem'd to unite, wherever she did roam,
The blessings of existence's condition.
Premise/plot: Ian Doescher has adapted the movie Clueless for his Pop Shakespeare series. It is adaptation of an adaption. In the afterword, he noted that he read Emma and watched Clueless before beginning his work. He also noted that he thinks that the plot of Clueless comes closest to something William Shakespeare would have written--in comparison with the other titles he's written/adapted.
So if you've seen the movie Clueless, you know the premise and plot of this one. Balthasar appears throughout singing the movie's soundtrack!
Behold, beyond the window,
'neath the sky,
The rushing carriages do pass thee by,
Whilst I do sit, to loneliness resign'd,
And ponder wherefore questions fill
my mind.
'Tis Friday night! I feel the soothing
heat
And search this filthy city for a beat--
Downtown, the young ones go,
hey nonny non,
Downtown, the young ones grow,
hey nonny hey!
We are the children of America,
The children we of new America.
and
Where didst thou go? Where didst thou go?
Mine emptiness doth grow.
Where didst thou go? Where didst thou go?
I'm lost, and fain would know.
You can expect to find all the most memorable, iconic lines from the movie...
DIONNE: Didst see? Thou pass'd a sign that bid thee stop--
'Twas large and red, octagonally shap'd--
Yet thou drove on like thou wert being chas'd.
CHER: A pause complete I register'd therein.
TRAVIS
—Unexpected!
No speech prepar’d I for this honor.
These few words, though, I’d gladly utter:
The tardy life’s the work of many—
My tardiness by many people
Created was. Yea, I am grateful
Unto my parents, ne’er rides giving,
The drivers of the L. A. buses
Who took a chance upon an unknown.
Last—not the least—the wonderful crew
At old McDonalds Inn, that spendeth
Their hours at cooking Egg McMuffins,
Sans which I never might be tardy.
CHER
Full well I know th’exhaustion of thy heart.
Still, though, I’ll warrant sport shall do us good—
Of late my body feels most heiferlike,
All weight and hips and udders ev’rywhere,
Like I had stomachs four that I must fill.
Today I had two bowls of Special K,
Three pieces of delightful turkey bacon,
A full hand’s worth of popp’d corn most delicious,
Five peanut butter M and Ms—
CHER
Though I’d not be a traitor to my age,
No turncoat to my generation bold—
I do confess confusion and dismay.
The way lads dress is nothing short of odd,
As if they fell, like apples, from their beds,
Adorn’d themselves in poorly fitting pants—
More like broad bags than pantaloons, in troth—
Then cover greasy hair with filthy caps,
Which they wear backward and proclaim it style.
In public they appear array’d as such,
And should we women swoon to see them so?
Nay, I think not, and never shall be sway’d!
To search for lads in high school is a quest
As useless as the hunt for meaning in
The dramas of the actor Pauly Shore—
The nation’s jester: a most dull fool he,
And none but libertines delight in him.
CHER
Eureka, I have fall’n in love with Josh!
Josh, he whom I have known since I was small,
Who tickles me and jabs me when nearby,
Who gives me cause to smile when I am sad,
Whose presence is a comfort in itself,
Who help’d me learn to drive my carriage well,
Whom I do dearly love to torment so,
Who, all these years, hath been a friend to me—
By heaven, it is he I love, none other!
Completely, totally, and majorly
My heart doth move toward him utterly!
My thoughts: I thought this was a super-fun read. It was fun, silly, enjoyable. A great way to spend a weekend.
September 25, 2023
I think that this is a great novel for young adults to read and improve their literacy skills. At first it might seem a little boring because of it being written in a Shakespeare type writing, but trust me when I say as soon as you read the first page you literally physically can't put the book down. Out of 5 stars I would rate this book a 5, because of two main reasons: first of all, every page gives you a full on description, that when you are reading it, it’s as if a movie is playing in your head, and you envision the characters and their actions so clearly. Second, It keeps you on your toes throughout the whole book with a couple cliffhangers (which I won't name to avoid spoiling the book). Therefore, if you're looking for a book which will keep you entertained through the the 100+ pages, and at the same time help you improve your reading skills, then William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Clueless is the perfect book for you.
December 29, 2020
This parody novel takes 90’s teen movie Clueless and gives it a Shakespeare makeover, as the script is rewritten and embellished in the style of the Bard. Taking centre stage is Cher, the fairest maiden in Beverly Hills, discovering that she is totally clueless.
One of the best teen movies of the 90’s revamped in Shakespearian iambic pentameter? As if I wouldn’t want to read that! Being not particularly well versed in Shakespeare, I will admit that much of the style is lost on me, but someone with more knowledge would easily be able to recognise all the Easter eggs scattered throughout the book.
I didn’t love The Taming of the Clueless as much as I loved Much Ado About Mean Girls, which I think was mainly down to knowing Mean Girls word-for-word and knowing Clueless slightly less, but this was still a fun read and a fantastic addition to Doescher’s Pop Shakespeare series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
One of the best teen movies of the 90’s revamped in Shakespearian iambic pentameter? As if I wouldn’t want to read that! Being not particularly well versed in Shakespeare, I will admit that much of the style is lost on me, but someone with more knowledge would easily be able to recognise all the Easter eggs scattered throughout the book.
I didn’t love The Taming of the Clueless as much as I loved Much Ado About Mean Girls, which I think was mainly down to knowing Mean Girls word-for-word and knowing Clueless slightly less, but this was still a fun read and a fantastic addition to Doescher’s Pop Shakespeare series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2022
A parody of a parody of a parody? I'm in! This clever little gem is a wonderful mis-mash of Shakespeare with Austen and Clueless. It's silly, funny, and full of nostalgia. The attention to detail is outstanding, complete with woodcut themed illustrations and iambic pentameter versions of classic 90s pop songs. It's true to the screenplay, with added little bits set as stage directions to add to key scenes, and some tweaks to the dialogue to expand characters, but overall, it's a pretty faithful adaptation. I loved it, and would love to use it in class. The work of Ian Doescher is excellent. I look forward to the (hopefully coming soon) Pop Shakespeare version of "Ten Things I Hate About You".
December 31, 2022
This was a trip down memory lane, and a wake-up call to the fact I don’t understand Shakespeare at all. It was no mystery that I didn’t enjoy it too much, because I was trying to get what were the characters saying, though I did appreciate the inner thoughts of every character, especially the mind and opinions of Josh. I know most of my opinion relies on my lack of knowledge of the play writer, but that’s just me, I guess.
COMEDY.
I found myself laughing mostly at the references to every song, especially the most known like “Kids in America”, and “Rolling with the hommies”. It was hilarious, and those were the only moments I cackled, honestly.
COMEDY.
I found myself laughing mostly at the references to every song, especially the most known like “Kids in America”, and “Rolling with the hommies”. It was hilarious, and those were the only moments I cackled, honestly.
May 29, 2020
It's Shakespeare + Jane Austen in a Clueless-set-in-the-1690s-way. Was there anything for me not to love?
No. There really wasn't.
I don't know what else to say. This book is Clueless in iambic pentameter with more inside jokes than you can shake a stick at. I probably only got 25% of them and still loved it. The only thing that would make this book better is a study guide to help me spot all the easter eggs and and references and inside jokes. But I'm not going to hold it against the book and my rating. ;)
No. There really wasn't.
I don't know what else to say. This book is Clueless in iambic pentameter with more inside jokes than you can shake a stick at. I probably only got 25% of them and still loved it. The only thing that would make this book better is a study guide to help me spot all the easter eggs and and references and inside jokes. But I'm not going to hold it against the book and my rating. ;)
December 28, 2020
I love the author's Star Wars books so I decided to give his Pop Shakespeare series a try. The Back to the Future adaptation was just as good but the Mean Girls book fell a bit flat for me. This one, however, was as good as the others and had me chuckling again at the clever wordplay and use of Shakespearean tropes, so I guess the problem with the one I didn't love has more to do with the subject matter than with the actual execution. By now, I guess I'll read and enjoy anything the author releases.
May 18, 2020
These books are so charming! What a clever idea to write Shakespearean inspired plays based on popular modern movies in our culture. Half the fun is scouring the pages for the delightful Easter eggs and references. Clueless is such a treat: a wonderful movie based loosely on a wonderful novel. And now reimagined as a Shakespeare Romance. I love all of these stories and always eagerly await the next one!
October 19, 2020
Although I was never an Austen fan (I tried, you guys. I really did, but whatever), I loved Clueless! I even loved the TV show adapted from the movie. It's just so very 1990s!! Although I wouldn't relive middle or high school for anything, and I do mean anything (as if!), I do miss the 90s. Less drama, better music...
I digress...
When I saw this on the New Book shelf, I was all, "Cool Beans!". So of course I snapped it up! As if I would miss out! Although Ian Doescher changed a few things for this adaption , those changes worked well with the Shakespearian format. And I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Totally!
And the music...the best!!
My hope is Mr. Doescher will feature Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure in a future adaption. Because that would be most excellent indeed!
I digress...
When I saw this on the New Book shelf, I was all, "Cool Beans!". So of course I snapped it up! As if I would miss out! Although Ian Doescher changed a few things for this adaption , those changes worked well with the Shakespearian format. And I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Totally!
And the music...the best!!
My hope is Mr. Doescher will feature Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure in a future adaption. Because that would be most excellent indeed!
July 29, 2020
This was just a fun, silly read and something I very much needed to mix in with the heavier subject books I’m currently reading. If you know the movie Clueless backwards and forwards, and enjoy the Shakespearian comedic style then this read is going to be so enjoyable for you and then make you want to watch the movie afterwards 😊💕
January 13, 2025
This book was such a fun read. I love how the soundtrack found a way into the play through the character of Balthasar. I even made a Spotify playlist so I could listen to the songs while reading Ian Doescher’s adaptation.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6yg...
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6yg...
July 29, 2020
This series is such a gem. Clueless is my favorite movie of all the time, so when I saw that Ian Doescher was putting out a PopShakespeare version I ordered it immediately and was not disappointed. The translated dialogue is hilarious in general, and Ian really outdid this one with some Austen Easter Eggs as well as swapping out technology to ground it in the original time period which I know in the afterword he said he had never tried before. The illustrations were a nice touch and overall this was just everything I wanted and needed as a Shakespeare/Cher Horowitz/Paul Rudd stan.
August 3, 2021
Clueless is my favorite film of all time so of course I needed to read this. Add in references in the text to Much Ado About Nothing and Pirates of Penzance which are also in my top favorite pieces of media and you got me HOOKED!
August 20, 2022
https://c.tenor.com/0BOHcC87IoEAAAAC/...
‘A pause complete I register’d therein!’ 🤣
I love these Shakespeare / popular movie crossovers! The famous lines written in Skakespearean form are just a m a z i n g 👏🏼
‘A pause complete I register’d therein!’ 🤣
I love these Shakespeare / popular movie crossovers! The famous lines written in Skakespearean form are just a m a z i n g 👏🏼
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews