Overall, what do you think of Fair Rosaline? (no spoilers)

Overall, what do you think of Fair Rosaline? (no spoilers)

Halfway through the book, I thought that it was a young adult typical story. By the time I got to the end, I found it thought-provoking. It really made me reconsider all of the notions I had about Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I even had to research what the play really had to say about Rosaline. I am not sure that I agree with it, but anything that makes me reconsider my point of view is a good thing!

I had a hard time with Rosaline's foolishness— her carelessness with her mother's necklace, her disregard for her dad's money, and of course her giving so easily of her own body, but then I remembered she was only 15. I thought the book was slow in parts, but it picked up at the end. I was also ambivalent about the conclusion— kind of left me wondering, "Did Juliet know her fate?"

I liked her. I liked her curiosity, her desire to experience the world. I felt sorry for her. Unfortunately she was a victim of life at that time. She was foolish but knowing what her life would be in a convent, why not be foolish. Women had little value other than brood mares.

I liked her loyalty to Juliet and her determination to protect her and save her.

I had some difficulty getting into the book and almost put it down. But then I found myself really drawn to the character Rosaline. I, too, had to remind myself she was still so incredibly young. I enjoyed the development of her character and was impressed with her drive to get Romeo seen for the snake he really was.

I loved this book. It put a new twist on Romeo and it put women in a stronger position than was normal for that time.

I loved the reimagining of Rosaline from the beginning of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Fair Rosaline expanded on ideas presented in the play in a thoughtful though sometimes exaggerated fashion. I enjoyed reading it.

I found it an interesting twist to a well-known story, and appreciated the author's willingness to challenge long-held assumptions -- like that Romeo was a young teenager like Juliet/ Rosaline and simply a young man deeply in love. Some reviews I have read of this book seem incensed by the idea that Romeo might have been a power-hungry misogynist. I think it's an interesting thought to explore.

I enjoyed this reimagined version of Romeo and Juliet, like History it’s self the story is often only told through the privileged and there is usually an
understory not told! Like Laurap, I liked how the author challenged “long held and assumptions” and agree with Terrij about the author’s position on strong women!

I enjoyed the new twist on the Shakepearean plot. However, at times it was hard to envision the story from a point of view that pretty much characterized all males (except for Tybalt) as inherently uncaring, predatory and/or evil. I would have liked a more nuanced portrayal of some of the men in the novel.

I was intrigued by the research and imagination of the author and where she was leading me. I really enjoy a different story to the one I was expecting. The culture of the setting, Italy, 16th Century, was well researched. Everyone knew their place. It was known as The Great Chain of Being. It was a domination system. Woe to anyone, especially servants and women who stepped out of place. Wealthy men were at the top and went unchallenged. I must have been about 14, a student in an English.all girls school. We were reading Romeo and Juliet and I put up my hand and asked,"Do you think Romeo might be a bit of a flirt". I was told to sit down. I can remember the embarrassment and perhaps even shame of even thinking such a thing. Maybe I was onto something even then!! I respect the research and work that went into the writing of this story. Valeriei

I have mixed feelings. I felt the book was well researched and the author made it easy to visualize Rosaline’s world. I felt the description of Romeo changed radically with the circumstances. Sometimes I wondered if the author started something of interest (for example, bee sting in foot) and then never followed through. Overall, the book was okay -at times almost juvenile- but an interesting concept and read.

I enjoyed reading Fair Rosaline, probably because I was not that familiar with Romeo and Juliet. I felt the story flowed well and the characters were well developed, including the smaller parts of the abbess and Benolio. It would be great to read more about Rosaline and Juliet in their new lives.

I would have liked my 10th grade students to have had this book to accompany R&J, primarily for its description of the times. Usually they considered Shakespeare's Romeo's desertion of Rosaline as typical for a kid of his age, but forcefully condemned the behavior of the parents, the nurse, and the priest...as did the Prince himself.

I would stress to them that these are different stories, both in terms of personalities and the various catalysts for events. There may have to be some editing done to the book in terms of some sexual descriptions were it to be used. This for the sake of school boards and parents, but who would dare edit Shakespeare?

That said, I did find the writing to be a bit too self-conscious and ponderous - not as well written as young Adult Fiction I have used. However, if it encourages people to think about that era as well as the original play, that's good. My students would probably have devoured it for its own sake and perhaps have seen comparisons to the present day.

At first the book was a little slow going for me but once I got into it I found it hard to put down. It definitely put a spin on the Shakespeare story when it depicted Romeo as predator rather than lover. I enjoyed the writing, the deep dive into the Verona of the time, the characterization of Rosaline as a protector of Juliet as opposed to an avenging angel. I think Natasha Solomons did a great job with the other side of the story.

I enjoyed the new twist of the story. I thought the character development was good. I can certainly imagine that Romeo was not the romantic character we were always led to believe.

I thought the author did a good job describing what life was like during this era of time. I think she did a good job of painting the dark side of life in that time period. I too had a bit of a time really getting into the book but it peaked my interest to want to know where it would go in the end. I think Natasha Solomons had an interesting twist to what people think of Romeo and Juliet.

I have always struggled with my regard for Shakespeare's plays and writings despite consistently trying to appreciate their beauty and originality. This creative story held my interest and motivated me to re-read parts of "Romeo and Juliet" for comparisons. Reminded me of the same reaction I had when reading "Hamlet" by Maggie O'Farrell-- another creative story with Shakespeare and his family as central characters. Loved how the character of Rosaline overshadowed all others in such a patriarchal society; her assertiveness seems quite contemporary, yet somehow appropriate in this original storyline as she is motivated by the treachery experienced at the hands of Romeo and the evil behaviors perpetrated toward Juliet and other young girls by arrogant men.

I really enjoyed this book and liked Rosaline. My awareness of Romeo & Juliet is primarily as a tale of young star crossed lovers fighting for their own happiness. This book pulls back the curtains for a new perspective and dives deeper into Romeo the Predator. Held my interest - I recommend.

I really enjoyed the book and it made me want to go back and read Shakespeare's play to see if I missed something the first time. Rosaline is a character I really liked and would enjoy reading more of her story.

Reading was slow for me, mostly because I had to research Shakespeare’s version to understand who the characters were in Fair Rosaline. Like Julib, I too have struggled with Shakespeare. I feel like I should read his plays, but I can’t bring myself to actually do it.

I was invested in the story but was often frustrated with Rosaline. She knew, in some instances, that Romeo was feeding her lines (the fair complexion bit, for example), and she obviously questioned the things he asked of her-but she fell for it all anyway! Ugh.

She wavered from feeling unloved and unwanted to feeling empowered. At first I was easily annoyed, as I wanted her to be a mighty girl right away! But I think a lot of women struggle with this same thing. Rosaline was afraid of discovering the truth, and that she actively searched for it anyway.

I thought it was very YA but that's okay considering our subjects are young. Despite living in a time when they would be considered "grown up" its important to remember that they were teenagers. And this book helps highlight that about the play too.
Made me think about Sophie Duncan's non-fiction Book: Searching for Juliet which re-centers the young woman who is the titular character