Fair Rosaline
Summary
The first time Romeo Montague sees young Rosaline Capulet he falls instantly in love. Rosaline, headstrong and independent, is unsure of Romeo’s attentions but with her father determined that she join a convent, this handsome and charming stranger offers her the chance of a different life.
Soon though, Rosaline begins to doubt all that Romeo has told her. She breaks off the match, only for Romeo’s gaze to turn towards her cousin, thirteen-year-old Juliet. Gradually Rosaline realises that it is not only Juliet’s reputation at stake, but her life.
With only hours remaining before she will be banished behind the nunnery walls, will Rosaline save Juliet from her Romeo? Or can this story only ever end one way?
A subversive, powerful untelling of Shakespeare’s best-known tale, narrated by a fierce, forgotten voice: this is Rosaline’s story.
Review
And here it is, my very first five-star rating of the year.
I LOVED this book. It’s a gorgeous, modern-day retelling of the Shakespeare classic and offers a dark and twisted interpretation. It was beautiful, powerful and incredibly well-written, seamlessly drifting between Shakespeare-style writing, direct quotes and that of a more modern-style. It forces you to reconsider the initial story, questioning the true nature of the relationship between Romeo and Juliet. It was encompassing and I could not put it down. I’ve already ordered a number of Solomons other books.
