Book Cover
AWARDS
Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Historical Fiction (2010)
BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Fortier, A. (2010). Juliet. New York, NY/USA: Random House
PAGES
447
PURCHASING OPTIONS
Hardcover $23.50
Paperback $15.79
Paperback $15.79
NOOK $9.99
Audiobook $37.46
Audiobook $37.46
Kindle $9.99
Hardcover $19.00
Hardcover $19.00
Paperback $12.62
Audio CD $58.66
ANNOTATION
Julie Jacobs discovers her ancestors are Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Could her fate be theirs?
SUMMARY
Twenty-five-year-old Julie Jacobs has just learned that her aunt Rose has passed away leaving her twin sister with her entire fortune and her with a single key. The key belonged to Julie's mother before she passed away and opens a safety-deposit box that is located in Siena, Italy.
As Julie arrives in Italy and begins reading letters and notes left in the safety-deposit box, she realizes that not only is she related to the characters of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but also that she may be the next victim of an ancient curse that will soon take her life as it did her mother's. She must figure out all of the clues her mother has left for her in order to have any hope of ending this curse and saving her own life.
In the books her mother left, Julie learns of the real Romeo and Juliet who lived in Siena in 1340 and whose names were actually Romeo Marescotti and Giulietta Tolomei. Wanting to seek revenge for her parents death, Giulietta goes to Siena where she meets and quickly falls in love with Romeo. When the evil and powerful Salimbeni asks Giulietta's uncle for her hand in marriage, Romeo does everything in his power to prevent the wedding from taking place.
MY REVIEW
This book balances romance, suspense, and mystery in a brilliant way. It was an extremely captivating story from the first page. Every other chapter goes back in time to Siena 1340 and while some may find that this makes each story hard to follow, I felt like the author did an amazing job at keeping each storyline so intriguing that one did not overshadow the other. This book also did a great job at maintaining a sense of mystery and suspense while not dragging it on. In fact, it might have gone a little too fast during the climax. I felt that some events that took place were not as developed as they could have been and left me with several unanswered questions.
SUMMARY
Twenty-five-year-old Julie Jacobs has just learned that her aunt Rose has passed away leaving her twin sister with her entire fortune and her with a single key. The key belonged to Julie's mother before she passed away and opens a safety-deposit box that is located in Siena, Italy.
As Julie arrives in Italy and begins reading letters and notes left in the safety-deposit box, she realizes that not only is she related to the characters of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but also that she may be the next victim of an ancient curse that will soon take her life as it did her mother's. She must figure out all of the clues her mother has left for her in order to have any hope of ending this curse and saving her own life.
In the books her mother left, Julie learns of the real Romeo and Juliet who lived in Siena in 1340 and whose names were actually Romeo Marescotti and Giulietta Tolomei. Wanting to seek revenge for her parents death, Giulietta goes to Siena where she meets and quickly falls in love with Romeo. When the evil and powerful Salimbeni asks Giulietta's uncle for her hand in marriage, Romeo does everything in his power to prevent the wedding from taking place.
MY REVIEW
This book balances romance, suspense, and mystery in a brilliant way. It was an extremely captivating story from the first page. Every other chapter goes back in time to Siena 1340 and while some may find that this makes each story hard to follow, I felt like the author did an amazing job at keeping each storyline so intriguing that one did not overshadow the other. This book also did a great job at maintaining a sense of mystery and suspense while not dragging it on. In fact, it might have gone a little too fast during the climax. I felt that some events that took place were not as developed as they could have been and left me with several unanswered questions.
RATING
Quality Rating: Silver
Popularity Rating: Emerald
Quality Rating: Silver
Popularity Rating: Emerald
GENRE & SUB GENRES
Historical
Historical Fiction
Romance
Fiction
Mystery
Cultural > Italy
BOOKTALKING
Julie and her sister, Janice, are able to overcome a lot of hate and resentment from their childhood and become so close that at one point, Janice is willing to die for Julie. (Page 431) They teach us to never give up on the people that are closest to us, you never know the friendship and loyalty that could form.
There are very surprising revelations throughout the book including aunt Rose's longtime and faithful butler, Umberto, showing us that people are not always who they seem to be. (Page 232)
DISCUSSION POINTS
In what ways does the author create her Romeo and Giulietta after Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and in what ways does she depart from Shakespeare's story?
Although Umberto turns out to be someone he says he is not, do you find him to be a sympathetic character? Why or why not?
Julie has a recurring dream throughout the book. Do you feel that the reason for this dream was ever fully explained in the book?
How does the relationship between Janice and Julie evolve over time? Are these changes believable? Why or why not?
Did you feel that Friar Lorenzo was justified in placing a curse on both the houses of Tolomei and Salimbeni?
Is the modern day Ambrogio a reincarnation of the 1340 Maestro Ambrogio?
At one point, Alessandro tells Julie: "In my opinion, your story—and Romeo and Juliet as well—is not about love. It's about politics...." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why? What do you think the author's opinion is?
Themes of guilt, redemption, and second chances course through the novel, especially in the present-day narrative, impelling many of the characters and their actions. Consider which characters embrace the opportunity of a second chance, and which don't.
What is motivating Alessandro to keep his identity from Julie? Do you think he is right or wrong in doing so? Does Julie trust him too easily?
At the end of the book you are made to believe that perhaps there never was a curse. Do you believe there was a curse, or not?
What questions do you feel were left unanswered by the end of this book?
Historical Fiction
Romance
Fiction
Mystery
Cultural > Italy
APPEAL FACTORS
Not only does this book have mystery and romance, it also has a very sweet story between Julie and her twin sister, Janice. It shows that family bonds are strong enough to overcome years of resentment and they can become some of our strongest relationships. It would also appeal to those who enjoy reading about history.
Julie and her sister, Janice, are able to overcome a lot of hate and resentment from their childhood and become so close that at one point, Janice is willing to die for Julie. (Page 431) They teach us to never give up on the people that are closest to us, you never know the friendship and loyalty that could form.
There are very surprising revelations throughout the book including aunt Rose's longtime and faithful butler, Umberto, showing us that people are not always who they seem to be. (Page 232)
DISCUSSION POINTS
In what ways does the author create her Romeo and Giulietta after Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and in what ways does she depart from Shakespeare's story?
Although Umberto turns out to be someone he says he is not, do you find him to be a sympathetic character? Why or why not?
Julie has a recurring dream throughout the book. Do you feel that the reason for this dream was ever fully explained in the book?
How does the relationship between Janice and Julie evolve over time? Are these changes believable? Why or why not?
Did you feel that Friar Lorenzo was justified in placing a curse on both the houses of Tolomei and Salimbeni?
Is the modern day Ambrogio a reincarnation of the 1340 Maestro Ambrogio?
At one point, Alessandro tells Julie: "In my opinion, your story—and Romeo and Juliet as well—is not about love. It's about politics...." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why? What do you think the author's opinion is?
Themes of guilt, redemption, and second chances course through the novel, especially in the present-day narrative, impelling many of the characters and their actions. Consider which characters embrace the opportunity of a second chance, and which don't.
What is motivating Alessandro to keep his identity from Julie? Do you think he is right or wrong in doing so? Does Julie trust him too easily?
At the end of the book you are made to believe that perhaps there never was a curse. Do you believe there was a curse, or not?
What questions do you feel were left unanswered by the end of this book?
WHY THIS BOOK?
My wife, who will tell you she has never been the biggest fan of reading, told me I had to read this book. She read it for her newly formed bookclub and could not put it down. I was hesitant because I thought it was no more than a romance novel, but she reassured me it was so much more. What really intrigued me was that it was based on historical facts, which my wife knows I love reading about history. I quickly learned that romance was a small part of this multilayered novel.
THE AUTHOR
REVIEWS
"...Juliet, a book (Anne Fortier) seems to have been born to write. We at Ballantine are tremendously excited about this boldly original novel...We can't wait for others to share our excitement..." Susanna Porter, Executive Editor at Random House Publishing Group
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Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Historical Fiction (2010)
POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Ancient curse
- The enduring nature of love and relationships
- Rewriting your destiny
- People are not always who they appear to be
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