Customer Reviews

O, Juliet

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I suppose that anyone from a Shakespeare buff to one only slightly acquainted with Romeo and Juliet will find this a highly entertaining book. Robin Maxwell is quite creative in weaving together many a thread, not only from the familiar play but various other customs and well-known figures from the period. It is a very pleasant, fun, and slightly naughty (though totally inoffensive) romp, which has the added flair of getting to know far more about characters who seem to be old friends.

Students must be cautioned not to use this book as a cheat sheet! :) Part of its charm, and indeed much of its great wit, comes from Robin Maxwell's integrating details of the Capulet/Montague feud and relationships with such figures as Lucrezia Borgia - the fun is the 'tie in,' which often has no relation to the actual play. Our heroine, Juliet, is a deliciously fun character, and captures well an era when freedom to marry whom one wishes was an intricate (if at all possible) intrigue.

There is no real theme and no attempt at huge insight - it's a thoroughly fun book where one's knowledge of Shakespeare and history only increases the potential for laughter. The author does not shield the reader from the dark side of the historical period, yet that does not dominate the action.

I'd highly recommend this book as first-rate entertainment. Those who are not especially familiar with the setting may also benefit from a vivid picture of quite realistic circumstances - even if not everyone was pal to Lucrezia Borgia.

I have been chomping at the bit to post my review of this marvelous book since I read it a couple months ago!

Maxwell's newest novel is a fascinating look at Romeo and Juliet's story without the Shakespearean language. Let me say first that this is NOT a retelling of Shakespeare's play but rather a look at what really "might have been." The basic storyline is the same but everything else is told in much more detail with some slight changes to help the story along. As Shakespeare based his famous play off several Medieval love stories, Maxwell also used those in her research for this novel. There is a wonderful blend of the familiar story mixed with marvelous details of the time period which I feel really help immerse the reader in the story. Maxwell fills in all the details that Shakespeare's play leaves out: customs, traditions, business practices, treatment and status of women, etc. These details really help separate this novel from the play. Where as the play is really just the love story between two teenagers Maxwell's novel is really a look at the lives of these two young adults and the events in the world around them.

There are recognizable characters though some may have different names and different personalities (for instance the rather quiet, meek Paris becomes Jacapo Strozzi, a truly malicious and despicable man). I really enjoyed the characterization of Romeo and Juliet in this novel. Romeo is portrayed as a sensitive but energetic young man who loves Juliet not just for her beauty but for her intellect and passions as well. Juliet is a feisty young woman who is educated, has a sense of adventure, and is quite determined to go after what she wants. It was wonderful to see the two as individual people with other issues in their lives rather than a pair of moon-struck teenagers. Our two protagonists are also in their late teens here which makes their feelings for each other seem much more real and staying, rather than a teenage crush. Maxwell really outdid herself with her portrayals of these two famous characters.

Besides familiar characters, there are familiar events in the novel, though the way they come about or the outcome may be different. I really enjoyed the way Juliet managed to get away in order to marry Romeo. We get a better look at why there is a feud between the Capelletti and the Monticecco and Romeo is even able to negotiate a truce between the two. It was wonderful to see that a relationship between the two could have been possible at this point, as the two families were able to "make friends." Jacapo, Juliet's betrothed, is really the catalyst that causes all the friction and problems between the two families. He really is a loathsome creature. It is his influence that really puts pressure on the couple as the story nears its climax and I was eager to see what Maxwell's resolution to the situation would be. I will not give away the ending but it was quite emotional.

This is a very fun, entertaining, and fast read. Shakespeare's basic story is really embellished and filled out with wonderful detail. It will really hold your attention! I would recommend this to anyone: Shakespeare buffs, romance fans, general readers.

O Juliet by Robin Maxwell

Rewriting Romeo and Juliet is no easy task, not only because Shakespeare was a master but also because effusive proclamations of love by two infatuated teenagers can easily seem trite and melodramatic today. But in O Juliet, Robin Maxwell does an admirable job of retelling the classic story, while introducing an original subplot and additional characters.

Three of her characters, Jacopo Strozzi, Lucrezia Tornabuoni and Cosimo de'Medici are based upon actual historical figures of Renaissance Italy. Her version of the story, after all, takes place in 15th century Florence, not Shakespeare's Verona. But Maxwell's Florentine setting is not entirely her own invention. In her Readers' Guide, she mentions that several versions of Romeo and Juliet predated Shakespeare, and that one was set in Florence.

In O Juliet, we have no nurse and no Mercutio. But we do have Juliet's confidante Lucrezia, cousin Marco, helpful servants, and many of the characters and plot points we read in Shakespeare - a family feud, a masked Romeo, mutual infatuation, secret meetings, a secret marriage, arranged betrothals, an accidental slaying, a friar, a vial, Romeo in exile. Juliet, however, is 18, not 14, and she and Romeo bond through their love of romantic poetry, especially Dante's La Vita Nuova.

In Shakespeare, Juliet's family, the Capulets, betroth her to Paris. In Maxwell, Juliet's father, a Capeletti, is a silk merchant whose economic difficulties can only be resolved by entering into business partnership with the malevolent Jacopo Strozzi, and giving his daughter to Strozzi in marriage. Strozzi becomes a central figure in Maxwell's plot, further intensifying the conflict between the feuding families, which Maxwell explains became enemies due to a violation of honor in an earlier generation.

From the beginning, the novel engages the reader, drawing us into Juliet's feelings and perspective while visually evoking the setting Later, we enter Romeo's experience. The first meeting between the two is delightful, conveying the delicacy of young infatuation without becoming cloying. The poetry connection (reminiscent of Keats and Fanny Brawn) adds some substance to what would otherwise appear only to be physical attraction. Their meetings are heartfelt, their conversations believable, their later struggles with fear and doubt understandable. Maxwell's Strozzi plot contributes to the escalating tension of the story, tightening the noose around the lovers in such a manner that even we who know Shakespeare's story are eager to discover Maxwell's resolution.

The novel, however, is not without flaws, some of them striking. Jacopo Strozzi is too stereotypically an evil and despicable villain. The ending is strained - Maxwell's attempt to tie not only all Shakespeare's but also her own story lines together appears forced, and is unsatisfying. We might also question: Is Juliet too bold and sexually free for a noble daughter of her time period? Are the friar's actions believable? Are the differences between the Montececco and Capeletti settled too easily?

Despite its flaws, O Juliet is a highly readable and enjoyable novel. Few writers would dare to retell Shakespeare. Maxwell dares, and to a large extent succeeds. I give her four stars.

O, Juliet is a sweeping historical novel based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the most beloved and romantic couple in literary history. Robin Maxwell, author of historical fiction (The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, Signora da Vinci, among others) weaves this rich and compelling tale into novel form for the first time in history, making the Bard's classic play accessible to today's audiences. Releasing in stores 2/2/10, hopeless romantics everywhere will be delighted to receive O, Juliet as a gift for Valentine's Day. The cover alone is enough to stop you in your tracks - it is visually stunning with its lush and romantic flowers cascading over a marble balcony, followed by a second inside cover that features Dicksee's famous painting of Romeo and Juliet.

As for the book's content, I myself will borrow from Avonian Willie and liken it to "a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear". While I don't think the author had any intention of competing with Shakespeare, but rather, celebrating his work in honorable tribute, Maxwell's version of the classic play runs prettily on the pages using the master's rendition as an outline. The author has filled in the gaps of Shakespeare's story with fluid historic details surrounding the emergence of Renaissance Florence, which give the couple greater roots from which to stem their story. While Shakespeare's lovers were a few years younger, full of lust and tragically whimsical flights of fancy, Maxwell's Romeo and Juliet are lustful still yet more rational, risking all for love but with better reason: Juliet is to be married off to her father's vile and malignant business partner, Jacopo Strozzi (the Strozzi were a powerful Florentine family, though the author's note at the end states that Jacopo was a figment of her imagination). The uniting thread between the lovers that makes their adulation for one another all the more evident throughout the story is their mutual adoration of the poet Dante Alighieri, who among many great works wrote La Vita Nuova, recounting his love for a woman named Beatrice. Maxwell draws parallels between Beatrice and Dante's tragic love story with that of Romeo and Juliet, bringing the romantic aspect of this story to a whole other level with the recitation of quotations from Dante running through the novel. Not only do Romeo and Juliet admire Dante's poetry, but they themselves are aspiring poets, something that adds another spark to the fire of their passion for each other.

This history of O, Juliet is what I found most interesting and unique in comparison to Shakespeare's portrayal of the lovers. Maxwell has seamlessly woven in true historic political intrigue that explains the centuries-old feud between the Monticeccos and Capelettis (Montagues and Capulets from Romeo and Juliet), putting the warring families into greater historical context. "Fair Verona" is not where Maxwell lays her scene; she has instead opted for Florence - an arguably controversial choice, but one that fits this story well, as the tale takes place just as that city is beginning to emerge from the Dark Ages and is starting to blossom into the Renaissance. One cannot even mutter the word "Renaissance" without Florence, the epicenter of art and humanist philosophy at the time, coming to mind. And Verona is not left completely out of the picture, as Romeo has family there with whom he visits at one point throughout the story. Also new to Maxwell's story is the inclusion of the Medici family, which makes the change of setting come full circle (for more info on the Medici, see Robin's Guest Post). Juliet's best friend and real historical figure Lucrezia Tornabouni marries into the wealthy and powerful Medici family (later to become the mother of Lorenzo "il Magnifico" de' Medici - a main character in Maxwell's Signora da Vinci), Romeo and Juliet having met at the Medici celebratory betrothal ball. The paterfamilias of that illustrious family, Cosimo de' Medici plays a major role in peacekeeping operations between the Monticecco and Capeletti families, attempting to keep his beloved Florence free of chaos and rebellion.

Fans of Shakespeare and of Romance alike will devour this genre-crossing story (I did in two days). Shakespeare's fairytale has been retold in many different formats over the centuries and is already rooted in our culture's collective unconscious--Robin Maxwell's version brings it to today's modern audiences in a way that refreshes an old classic. If you enjoy either Historical Fiction, Romance, YA (note: there are a few sex scenes, and though tastefully done, I'd rate this a PG-13 novel), and don't mind tradition done with a twist, then you will love this book. I think the timeliness of O, Juliet's release date is also important to note - as people tend to incline towards the quixotic this time of year, with the Valentine's Day right around the corner. In addition, there are several romantic movies releasing in theaters soon (Dear John, Letters to Juliet, Valentine's Day), which might also help to put you in a sentimental frame of mind. But be prepared to shed a tear or two by the end, "for never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

O, Juliet tells the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet - but this isn't Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet! Juliet Cappelletti is the daughter of a silk merchant in Florence. Romeo Monticecco is the son of rural olive growers. Juliet is to be married to the wealthy partner in her father's silk factory. When her path crosses with Romeo she knows that she can't just settle for the uncomfortable, sour life that is planned for her. She must be able to choose what her heart wants!

The Shakespeare version of Romeo and Juliet always just left me half fulfilled - that is not something I can say about O, Juliet! Maxwell does a phenomenal job at creating the world around our heroes. Florence is described in vivid detail - the famous sites, artists/artwork, and cultural practices. I didn't even mind that the setting wasn't the traditional Verona because the world was so well developed. Many of the characters that surround the Cappelletti's and Monticecco's are well known historical figures: Cosimo d'Medici, Lucrezia Tournabuoni, Dante. Set into the historical context makes this story so much more convincing and makes the fictional characters feel alive and real.

The emotions and passions of the characters are palpable. They have thoughts and concerns other than just the love story. There are the concerns of Juliet's father's silk business, politics in Florence, religious concerns. We learn that Juliet writes poetry - something that wasn't looked upon in a great light in those days. She is a strong willed young woman whose thoughts are ahead of her time. Every character is unique and fits neatly into the historical folds of Florence.

This novel has really made me love the story of Romeo and Juliet. In my opinion, this version blows any other out of the water. I didn't get dragged down by trying to understand the poetic way of speaking. There is a real depth to the characters, setting, and story line. Even when you know the story of Romeo and Juliet there are many twists and turns that reveal so much more to you. Truly a delightful read and the only negative thing I could say about this is that I wish it were longer and the story would go on and on!

Maxwell has done it again!

This book was received from the publisher in exchange for a review and this was also posted on my blog.

Like a lot of the world, I've been captivated by the story of Romeo and Juliet ever since the first time I read it. I was drawn in by the all-consuming passion these two characters felt for each other and the sad circumstances that led to their end. I remember thinking to myself that when I grown up I hope to have the chance to feel such an awe-inspiring love for another person. And once I met my husband, I knew what it was to feel that. It's exhilarating, but scary at the same time!

In O, Juliet Robin Maxwell tackles her own version of Shakespeare's golden couple - bringing new characters and plots into the mix. Juliet Capalleti is the 18 year old daughter of a prominent Florentine silk tradesman, and about to be married to a hideous soon-to-be business partner of her father's, Jacopo. While loath to let his daughter go, this is the only way he can think of to save the family business. Jacopo, on the other hand, is quite happy with the situation - he gets to be part of Florence's most famous silk producer and he also gets a wife, whom he plans on using as a baby-making machine, while still enjoying his mistresses.

One night, while attending her best friend's party, Juliet meets Romeo, a member of the Capalleti's rival family - the Monticecco's. Drawn together by their mutual love of prose, in particular, that of Dante Alighieri, the teenagers fall in love and begin to meet in secret - their affection for each other growing with each meeting. As the time for Juliet's wedding to Jacopo draws closer, they become more and more desperate to find a way to be together.

All in all, I found O, Juliet to be a very pleasant and mellifluous read. Maxwell is an excellent author - her descriptions of Florence and her ability to bring uniqueness to each character is a real telling of her talent. Juliet is sweet, feisty, intelligent young woman, in love with the written word and not afraid to go after what she wants! And Romeo, oh Romeo, is such a charming and gentle soul...add into that a romantic poet and you've got one irresistible guy! Now, I do have one critique about this book - it wasn't long enough! I wanted more!

O, Juliet is a great novel to curl up to by the fire, sipping hot cocoa (cause chocolate is an aphrodisiac), with a little Barry White playing in the background!

Chocked full of passion, love and poetry, O, Juliet would be a welcome addition to any literature lover's bookshelf!

While this book won't make it into my top 10 favorites, it was a great book to read. Juliet's story was a brillant and interesting perspective to learn and my favorite part about the entire book was the interesting history lessons and discussion questions at the end. 'O'Juliet' was brilliant, well thought out and a masterpiece for a topic that would probably be very difficult to research. I gave it four stars because it wasn't the page turner I had hoped it would be.

Last year, I read a wonderful historical fiction book called SIGNORA DA VINCI by Robin Maxwell (see my review.) I thoroughly enjoyed the story as well as Ms. Maxwell's writing style, and I knew that I wanted to read more of her books. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance yet to go back and read any of her earlier works, but I recently had the opportunity to get my hands on an advanced copy of her latest novel O, JULIET. I consider myself very lucky because I thought this book was such a pleasure to read!

I think I last read Romeo and Juliet in high school English class, but I definitely look back at the story with good memories. In class, we watched one of the movie versions and even did a comparison to West Side Story. I have never thought of myself as the romantic type, but I absolutely loved studying Romeo and Juliet. So when I learned that Ms. Maxwell was writing a re-telling of the classic love story, I was definitely sold!

The funny thing about O, JULIET is that I knew how the story was going to end (O happy dagger!); and I still couldn't put this book down. I liked that this story had the traditional passion between Romeo and Juliet, and yet there was also the good versus bad element. I definitely was intrigued by the story (and the suspense), and I really enjoyed the character of Juliet and how Ms. Maxwell developed her.

Not only did Ms. Maxwell stay pretty true to the original, but I actually think some of the liberties she took made the story more interesting on a historical level. Rather than having Romeo and Juliet live in Verona, she has the story take place Florence. This way she could include some historical information about the Medici family and especially Lucrezia Tornabuoni. In O, JULIET, Lucrezia was one of Juliet's best friends and confidantes; and the reader gets to see bits and pieces of her strong personality throughout the story. I loved Lucrezia's character and thought she was extremely interesting. I am actually hoping that someday Ms. Maxwell might decide to write a future novel about her.

Another interesting aspect of this novel was how the author incorporated verses from Dante's poems throughout the novel. I was familiar with Dante because I read THE INFERNO in high school, and I guess I knew that he and Beatrice were famous lovers; however, I had never read any of his poems about love. So much of what Dante wrote was beautiful and very pertinent to this this re-telling of the Romeo and Juliet story. Since Ms. Maxwell portrayed both Romeo and Juliet as sharing a love of Dante's poetry, their connection to his writing definitely brought them closer together.

O, JULIET would make a fabulous book club selection in my opinion. Since the book is based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, there are many things to compare and contrast between the two works. In addition, some other topics you might consider are true love, family obligations, parent/child relationships, friendship, and betrayal. There is a reading guide in the back of the book.

With Valentine's Day coming up later this week, it really is an ideal time to read O, JULIET (or even to buy a copy for someone special.) It is a beautiful book based on one of the most beloved love stories ever; and I think anyone who enjoys romance or historical fiction will appreciate Ms. Maxwell's re-telling of Romeo and Juliet.

I was a bit apprehensive of this book. I love Shakespeare, and Shakespeare retellings, but Romeo and Juliet is just SO overused, and I get sick of it. But this... This was the most creative retelling I have ever experienced. It did justice to the Bard's tale, but took many liberties and improved the story for novel-making. The play is woven into the bones of this story. It's recognizable, but the result is entirely original and thus, much more enjoyable than a simple REtelling. This was a MODIFIED-telling.

I was taken in by the wonderful story Robin Maxwell has crafted. While you may recognize the characters from Shakespeare's famous play, this is in no way a copycat of his work. Honestly, how could anyone copy his work? Rather, this is a story that adds depth and history to the original story.

Like many characters Maxwell has written, Juliet Capelletti is an extremely intelligent and creative female stuck in the circumstances of her time. Like many girls her age, she awaits her father's decision to marry her off. The marriage will help benefit her father's business, but while she knows it is her duty to silently go along with his wishes, she longs for a marriage that is truly, ultimately, for love. Romeo Monticecco is a romantic poet who tries to mend fences with the Capelletti clan. He and Juliet share appreciation for the beauty of words, and quote love poetry from Dante together.

Even though I'd read Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet before, I found O'Juliet to be a suspenseful, surprising read. The reader forgets the tragic end of the original story and is lured into hoping for a much brighter future for the young lovers. I enjoyed the details of the time, the scenes of the family gatherings, and the clever way Romeo finds ways to be with Juliet. I loved the incorporation of historical characters like Lucrezia de' Medici, and especially enjoyed seeing the poetry of Dante weaved into the story.

Make no mistake, this is truly a wonderful love story. It has substance (and a fair amount of heat - tastefully done) and I enjoyed every minute.