From the Bookshelf of Nothing But Reading Challenges…

Juliet

Anne Fortier

Start date: October 10, 2011

Finish date: October 31, 2011

Discussion: Books of the Month

Why we're reading this: We voted and this one was chosen as the October Anything Goes BOM. Link to discussion:
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[close] We voted and this one was chosen as the October Anything Goes BOM. Link to discussion:
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What Members Thought

Mar 19, 2010 Kiri rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: z-read-2010-2019, reviewed

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.           Juliet is a story mainly set in Siena Italy that intertwines two time periods the 1300's and the present via a family mystery and supposed curse. Alternating chapters to define the time periods the story jumps back and forth progressing both story lines until they merge, twisting and turning like an Italian back street to a resolution.
          I found the premise interesting, This is an extrapolation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in terms of moving it backwards slightly in time a           Juliet is a story mainly set in Siena Italy that intertwines two time periods the 1300's and the present via a family mystery and supposed curse. Alternating chapters to define the time periods the story jumps back and forth progressing both story lines until they merge, twisting and turning like an Italian back street to a resolution.
          I found the premise interesting, This is an extrapolation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in terms of moving it backwards slightly in time and spatially to Siena (rather than Verona). While tossing in a modern mystery and some romance. The characters are readily recognizable and yet described in correlating terms for those not familiar with the Bard's work. I was also pleased at the sketching (within context of the storyline) of the play's origins and prior versions before it was re-vamped by Shakespeare.
          Now for the drawbacks. The writing around the 1300's setting is tight, well paced and engaging. However when Ms. Fortier moved her story-line into the present it became clumsy and several of the characters felt very one dimensional. An example of this would be the characterizations of the modern twins. There is no middle ground and neither is particularly like-able as a result. (obviously one isn't designed to be but that isn't the point). Likewise her grasp of the modern portions of the story in terms of setting, pace, and plot do leave something to be desired. Add in that in the modern story line I felt the plot unraveled somewhat about 2/3rds of the way through and the pace slowed.
          This is in direct contrast to her portrayal of Medieval Italy. Her grasp and characterization of not just characters, but setting, and plot pace belie her clumsiness in the modern story line. I was left wondering if the original story had been to tell the 1300's story (a well drawn mystery in itself) and then lightly draw it into the present, only to be told there must be two story lines and have to backtrack fitting the two together.
          Despite these drawbacks this is a fun read and I think will go over well with many readers. I'm giving this a 3.65 overall.
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I would like to thank Goodreads for allowing me to read this as it was an ARC. I also wish Ms. Fortier all the best in her future writing. I look forward to her development as a writer. ...more

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Oct 13, 2010 Karen (EarthAngel2911) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook-reads-kindle, cyber-book-club-selections, historical-fiction

I just finished this book today, and I still can't stop thinking about it! I'm a sucker for Romeo and Juliet stories, and this book has the benefit of a modern romance (complete with a happy ending).

One of the things that kept coming to mind as I was reading was the diversity of the author's style. When we were reading from Julie's point of view, the style was modern and quirky, and I was constantly chuckling at something that Julie would say or think to herself. But when it was 1340 and we wer I just finished this book today, and I still can't stop thinking about it! I'm a sucker for Romeo and Juliet stories, and this book has the benefit of a modern romance (complete with a happy ending).

One of the things that kept coming to mind as I was reading was the diversity of the author's style. When we were reading from Julie's point of view, the style was modern and quirky, and I was constantly chuckling at something that Julie would say or think to herself. But when it was 1340 and we were reading from the Maestro's journals, the wording was elegant and flowing, very poetic.

Another thing I liked was that even though Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet was referenced, it wasn't the center of the story, just on the fringes. This is really two stories, intertwined even though they're separated by 600 years. We have a modern day Julie, who finds out after her aunt dies that she is a descendent of one of three families in 14th century Italy. Through letters she inherited from her dead mother, she finds out about her ancestors and those of the other families, embroiled in an ancient feud eerily similar to that of Shakespeare’s play, which she is intimately familiar with. Throughout the book, we switch between these two timelines, finding out about the historical, pre-Shakespearian events that inspired various stories throughout the centuries, and then switching to the modern day story that follows Julie (Giulietta) in her adventure to follow the clues to a “treasure” her mother had been researching before her death.

*** SPOILERS ***

There were some twists and turns in the modern day storyline that threw me for a loop. Even after finding out who Alessandro was, I was a little confused about his motivations toward the end of the story. Like most stories, the details made themselves known little by little until I was happy to find out that his intentions were honorable. :)

And to find out who Umberto really was?? That was surprising! And I'm still not convinced that he loved his girls. I mean, I'm sure he cared about them, but he obviously loved himself more. And truly? I think he escaped with the jewels at the end and is still alive. He's a survivor.

*** END SPOILERS ***

I highly recommend this book, whether you're a Romeo and Juliet fan or not. Although knowing the Shakespeare play will add to the Juliet experience, it's not necessary. Shakespeare's play is really just on the fringes of this story. The full (and original) story is told in its entirety (I'm assuming) and the fictional modern day storyline is suspenseful, entertaining, and the ending is more romantic. :) ...more

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Apr 26, 2011 Marla rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, zz-2012, adult, romance, book-club, book-about-books, mystery, retelling

3.5 stars. I liked the modern story and the 1340 story. I am not usually a fan of flipping back and forth, but I didn't mind it as much in this book. This book kind of reminded me of The Thirteenth Tale, but more Shakespeare and love story, and less strange.

Likes:
* Allessandro sounded like a great hero lover boy
* Misdirection was well done, I didn't see most of the end coming
* Keeping track of so many objects and thefts and people was tedious and unfulfiling
* Crazy Palio races and sabotaging oth 3.5 stars. I liked the modern story and the 1340 story. I am not usually a fan of flipping back and forth, but I didn't mind it as much in this book. This book kind of reminded me of The Thirteenth Tale, but more Shakespeare and love story, and less strange.

Likes:
* Allessandro sounded like a great hero lover boy
* Misdirection was well done, I didn't see most of the end coming
* Keeping track of so many objects and thefts and people was tedious and unfulfiling
* Crazy Palio races and sabotaging other houses was great fun, but it was dangerous...entertaining fiction
* So much of the news or gossip wasn't true, it kept you guessing
(view spoiler)

Dislikes:
* All things Janice were annoying
* Aunt Ruth's favoritism or was that just a child's skewed memory?
* I like Romeo and Juliet, but I grew tired of all the excessive references and quotes
(view spoiler)

With-reservations:
not too bad - mentions of murder, rape, adultery, casual sex, drugs but no detailed descriptions ...more

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Jun 05, 2012 Avigail rated it really liked it · review of another edition

When Julie Jacobs inherits a key to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy, she is told that it will lead her to an old family treasure. Soon she is launched on a winding and perilous journey into the history of her ancestor Giulietta, whose legendary love for a young man named Romeo rocked the foundations of medieval Siena. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families immortalized in Shakespeare’s unforgettable blood feud, she begins to realize that the notorious curse—“A plague on ...more

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Apr 16, 2011 Darcie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: rate-4, book-club, audio

I really like books that take a story you know well and puts a twist on it so you don't look at the original story the same. This book does this for Romeo and Juliet.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a lot mystery and a little romance and sibling relationships. There were a few surprises at the end.

...more

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Mar 15, 2011 Jenn rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, 2013-finished

This was a hard one to get through. There was a few times where I just about gave up on the book.

It definitely had its moments where it was very engaging and then at times way to verbatim.

Overall I can't say I'd recommend it. ...more

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May 29, 2011 Deedee rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, world-europe-italy, twins, challenge-2011-summer, indie-next-2010, shakespeare-related-romeo-andjuliet

Self-consciously picturesque Italian, plus a very silly American heroine, and highly improbable events. Beach read -- don't ask why, just go with the flow.
...more

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