Quick Look: "Tempt Me" by Andrew Rincón

Title: Tempt Me

Author: Andrew Rincón

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Play

Big Ideas (Themes): Identity, Religion, Feminism and Sexism

Book Size: Play

World Categories - Setting: Fictional Place, Garden of Eden

World Categories - Characters: Latinx

World Categories - Author: Latinx, Third Culture, North American - U.S. & Canada, South American

Other Representation - Characters: Complex female characters, LGBTQ+ characters

Reading Level Based on Difficulty: High School, Adult

Maturity Level Based on Content: Adult

Sensitive or Mature Topics Include: Sex

Introductory Summary:

In this queer re-imagining of the Garden of Eden, Eve finds herself confiding in Animal, a free spirited dancing anthropomorphic Spanish speaker, about her disenchantment with Adam.  It turns out she's not the first to feel that way. The appearance of Lilith into the garden turns the entire tale upside down as unexpected friendships are formed and complex relationships unveiled. Like Lilith, the devil Lucifer - call him Lucy - weighed down with daddy issues is trying to find a happiness outside of God's plan for him. Together they navigate the question of how to live in a world in which their own desires don't mesh with god's will.

What we like about this book:

This play was light, funny, and full of unexpected takes on the biblical legends. For the most part, the characters were highly relatable, complex and lovable. I particularly enjoyed the character of Animal, with his infectious joy and sense of self, as well as Lilith and Eve, who represented two very real paths of modern womanhood -- proving that fiction can be even truer than the truth.

3 Reasons Students Will Like This Book:

1. "Tempt Me" is very funny, while dealing with the real questions individuals have about god's plans and the role religion plays in our lives. 

2. The characters are absolutely delightful. Even the antagonists are relatable and charming.

3. The twisting of a well-known tale is both familiar and fresh.

Teaching Notes / Recommendations:

Definitely an adult play, so appropriate for college-level classes. If I were teaching this, I would have students discuss what the messages about morality, good and evil, identity and belonging, and power were in the original biblical tales and compare and contrast how the playwright shapes his message about these same big ideas.

Note: AI Image to capture the feel of the play only.