Romeo's Ex: Rosalind's Story (Hardcover)

by Lisa Fiedler (Author)
Key Phrases: Friar Laurence, Lady Rosaline, Untamed Shrew (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up–Before Romeo fell in love with Juliet, he was enamored of Rosaline, Juliet's 16-year-old cousin, who vowed never to marry. Then his cousin Benvolio rescues her from being trampled in a Capulet-Montague rumble. Rosaline and Benvolio–both skeptical of love–fall for one another. The Capulets and Montagues continue to have at it, and Romeo, Juliet, and most of their cousins end up dead. For Rosaline and Benvolio, though, it's the beginning. Fielder retells the story in fast-paced prose true to the play, without leaving out a single barb, kiss, or duel. As such, this novel is extremely useful for students struggling with a first reading of Shakespeare's work. The author re-creates period language with some success, though her cutesy, anachronistic winks–Juliet and Rosaline call each other Roz and Jules–are irritating. While her 16th-century phrasings and semantics seem more flowery than poetic, she illuminates the emotional lives of the characters in a way that poetry may not, especially for younger readers. The mood here is lighter and mercifully less romantic than in the tragic play, as Rosaline and Benvolio fall in deeper, more realistic love than Romeo and Juliet ever did. Though a little wordy for reluctant readers, this novel is an entertaining primer to Shakespeare.–Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Well, not exactly his ex. True, Rosaline, an apprentice healer and Juliet's cousin, was the briefly object of Romeo's desire, but Rosaline, having seen up close what can happen to the fair sex when a woman gives all for love, has decided to stay chaste. Then she thinks handsome Mercutio has saved her, and almost changes her mind. But Mercutio isn't who she thinks he is--literally. Another Montague, Benvolio, has really rescued her. By then, Romeo is off to Juliet. Fiedler, who reimagined another Shakespearean story in Dating Hamlet: Ophelia's Story (2002), will find a ready audience for this, especially among high-school students who often read this play. With Romeo and Juliet mostly off stage, this story is firmly Rosaline's. Fiedler uses the outline of Romeo and Juliet and then liberally embellishes the story with new characters and new situations. This briskly told tale features a determined heroine, yet one who is not afraid to give her heart when the time is right. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (September 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805075003
• ISBN-13: 978-0805075007
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #145,199 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Interesting, April 17, 2007

By	A-M (Near D.C., USA) - See all my reviews

I enjoyed this book probably about as much as I enjoyed "Dating Hamlet". Once again Fiedler takes us off stage--behind the scenes as it were of one of Shakespeare's best known works. While in Hamlet there were happy endings all around for Fiedler's adaptation in this book she is a little more true to the actual outcome of the play. bodies are accumulating inspite of Rosaline and Benvolio's attempt to stop the carnage.

It seems that Fiedler has a message in this story for her readers (something I didn't pick up on in the last book). She makes it clear that the love that Romeo and Juliet have is very superficial (while it does ultimately bring the houses of Capulet and Montague together). She helps to point this out with the relationship she builds between Rosaline and Benvolio. It is a very trusting relationship and one that ultimately withstands the test of time and distance. She draws a clear line between immature 'love' (lust) and a mature relationship, pointing out the problems of assuming love far too fast (both in the span of a lifetime and in a relationship).

She does her best to emmulate Shakespearean dialogue, though there are a few modern throw backs here and there--however for what the book is it is vastly entertaining and anyone who is familiar with the bard's other works will find a bunch of other references.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great retelling of the Shakspearean classic, September 23, 2006

By	Alexandra (Medford, MA) - See all my reviews

Rosaline, Juliet's cousin, was always the prettier and more outgoing Capulet cousin. She was also planning to study medicine, and as a result had taken a vow of chastity. A vow that goes completely down the drain when three young men of the house of Montague-- Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio. Romeo, with his empty professions of love, impresses her not much at all. Mercutio initially makes her flutter, until she learns his true playboy nature. But it is sweet and gentle Benvolio who wins her heart, and her kiss. The two of them plot to end the ages-long feud between their two families, a feud so old no one remembers how it started. They hatch a plan they hope will end the conflict, and in turn pave the way for their romance. But there is another cross-house romance blooming, exploding, really, in one night. Too many secret schemes could overlap -- or they could hinder one another. This re-telling of the most famous romantic tragedy of all time is brilliantly written, much more accessible to the reader than the original, yet told in a formal enough style to believe that Shakespeare would approve. After reading this, you'll never be able to look at Romeo and Juliet the same way again.

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!, November 11, 2008

By	Lisa "Fantasy fan" (Plano, TX) - See all my reviews

What a charming book! Although I am not a YA, I thorougly enjoyed this book. It it is a delightful take on Romeo and Juliett told from multiple viewpoints, but predominantly from the POV of Juliet's cousin Rosalind.

Rosalind is a lovely protagonist. She is spunky and independent and wants to be a physician. Unlike Juliet she does not believe in love at first sight. ALthough the ttragdey of Romeo and Juliet hovers over the story, this is a book that emphasizes the difference between infatuation and "true love".
(SPOILERS AHEAD)
Unlike Romeo and Juliet, Rosalind and Benlevio's love develops and matures through the trials that they face. In addition Rosalind has the guts to choose her dedication to her studies over marriage, and Benlevio's love for her is strong enough to wait the 4 years it takes for her to finish. I think the author intends this a little morality tale for many young girls.

This is charming book for Mom's and daughters to enjoy.