Juliet: A Novel
Aug 2010 · Ballantine Books
4.6star
36 reviewsreport
Ebook
464
Pages
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About this ebook
A sweeping novel of intrigue and identity, of love and legacy, as a young woman discovers that her own fate is irrevocably tied—for better or worse—to literature’s greatest star-crossed lovers.
Twenty-five-year-old Julie Jacobs is heartbroken over the death of her beloved aunt Rose. But the shock goes even deeper when she learns that the woman who has been like a mother to her has left her entire estate to Julie’s twin sister. The only thing Julie receives is a key—one carried by her mother on the day she herself died—to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy.
This key sends Julie on a journey that will change her life forever—a journey into the troubled past of her ancestor Giulietta Tolomei. In 1340, still reeling from the slaughter of her parents, Giulietta was smuggled into Siena, where she met a young man named Romeo. Their ill-fated love turned medieval Siena upside-down and went on to inspire generations of poets and artists, the story reaching its pinnacle in Shakespeare’s famous tragedy.
But six centuries have a way of catching up to the present, and Julie gradually begins to discover that here, in this ancient city, the past and present are hard to tell apart. The deeper she delves into the history of Romeo and Giulietta, and the closer she gets to the treasure they allegedly left behind, the greater the danger surrounding her—superstitions, ancient hostilities, and personal vendettas. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families involved in the unforgettable blood feud, she begins to fear that the notorious curse—“A plague on both your houses!”—is still at work, and that she is destined to be its next target. Only someone like Romeo, it seems, could save her from this dreaded fate, but his story ended long ago. Or did it?
Praise for Juliet
“One of those rare novels that have it all . . . I was swept away”—Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants
“Juliet leads us on a thrilling treasure hunt through present-day Italy that makes the classic tragedy itself spellbinding all over again.”—Elle
“Boldly imagined, brilliantly plotted, beautifully described, Juliet will carry you spellbound until the gripping end.”—Susan Vreeland, author of Clara and Mr. Tiffany
“The Shakespearean scholarship on display is both impressive and well-handled.”—The Washington Post
Twenty-five-year-old Julie Jacobs is heartbroken over the death of her beloved aunt Rose. But the shock goes even deeper when she learns that the woman who has been like a mother to her has left her entire estate to Julie’s twin sister. The only thing Julie receives is a key—one carried by her mother on the day she herself died—to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy.
This key sends Julie on a journey that will change her life forever—a journey into the troubled past of her ancestor Giulietta Tolomei. In 1340, still reeling from the slaughter of her parents, Giulietta was smuggled into Siena, where she met a young man named Romeo. Their ill-fated love turned medieval Siena upside-down and went on to inspire generations of poets and artists, the story reaching its pinnacle in Shakespeare’s famous tragedy.
But six centuries have a way of catching up to the present, and Julie gradually begins to discover that here, in this ancient city, the past and present are hard to tell apart. The deeper she delves into the history of Romeo and Giulietta, and the closer she gets to the treasure they allegedly left behind, the greater the danger surrounding her—superstitions, ancient hostilities, and personal vendettas. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families involved in the unforgettable blood feud, she begins to fear that the notorious curse—“A plague on both your houses!”—is still at work, and that she is destined to be its next target. Only someone like Romeo, it seems, could save her from this dreaded fate, but his story ended long ago. Or did it?
Praise for Juliet
“One of those rare novels that have it all . . . I was swept away”—Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants
“Juliet leads us on a thrilling treasure hunt through present-day Italy that makes the classic tragedy itself spellbinding all over again.”—Elle
“Boldly imagined, brilliantly plotted, beautifully described, Juliet will carry you spellbound until the gripping end.”—Susan Vreeland, author of Clara and Mr. Tiffany
“The Shakespearean scholarship on display is both impressive and well-handled.”—The Washington Post
Ratings and reviews
4.6
36 reviews
A Google user
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January 6, 2011
Young Julie Jacobs goes on a mysterious treasure hunt in Italy as the result of information garnered from a letter supposedly written by her dead aunt and a key left for her by her dead mother. There she becomes embroiled in an intricate quest for a golden statue with emerald and sapphire eyes together with her twin sister, Janice, and a modern day Romeo.
Juliet is a book written with an interesting premise – there are direct descendents of an actual Romeo and Juliet who are members of families under curses. The fictionalized account of life in Siena, Italy and the description of what supposedly happened to Romeo and Juliet are the most interesting parts of the novel. Unfortunately, the book becomes stymied in many subplots, and the immediate attraction that leads to deep love between the modern day Romeo and Guilietta appears unbelievable and superficial. The repetition of details from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet hampers the pace of the plot. Although there is suspense, and unique twists on the age-old story, the characters are not likeable enough to sustain the poorly woven plot. If the four hundred plus pages had been tightened up, the novel may have merited a better review. As it is, the book is only an optional purchase for adults.
Scott Gregory
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December 7, 2015
I think Juliet is an amazing book! It is very well written and keeps you wanting to know what happens. I will read anything Anne Fortier writes! Highly recommended!
Amy Converse
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November 30, 2015
This is by far my favorite book. The story between past and present is fresh and enticing. I love the character development and story line. Well written!
1 person found this review helpful
About the author
Anne Fortier grew up in Denmark and emigrated to the United States in 2002 to work in film. She co-produced the Emmy-winning documentary Fire and Ice: The Winter War of Finland and Russia and holds a Ph.D. in the history of ideas from Aarhus University, Denmark. The story of Juliet was inspired by Anne Fortier’s mother, who always considered Verona her true home . . . until she discovered Siena.
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