Summary and Reviews of Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons

II

HIS NAME IS ROMEO

THE PLAGUE RECEDED LIKE THE WATERS OF A FLOOD, LEAVING DITCHES OVERFLOWING WITH HASTILY BURIED DEAD. CROPS MOLDERED IN THE FIELDS, AND BRIDGES LAY UNREPAIRED AS THERE WERE NO MEN TO HEW THE TREES INTO TIMBER, NO CARTERS TO HAUL THE UNCUT PLANKS TO THE RIVERS, AND NO CARPENTERS TO MEND THE ROTTEN BEAMS.

Rosaline watched in bewilderment as her father went onto his knees to give the Almighty thanks for his deliverance. She would not give thanks. God had seen fit to take from her what mattered most and left a world broken and pitiful.

Yet several times a week, a grudging Rosaline was urged into the small church crammed with penitents and grateful supplicants, all expressing thanks to every saint they could remember that they too had been spared. She noticed that it was those of her father's age who prayed with the most ardor. The younger congregants stifled yawns and were distracted, ignoring even the friar spraying spittle in his fervor as he preached. Rosaline ...

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. What are Rosaline's objections to entering the convent? Do you think any path open to a woman of her class at her time would have given her the things that she wants?
2. How do you think the feud between the Montagues and Capulets colors Rosaline and Romeo's early interactions? How does she feel about keeping their identities secret while out together and the truth of their relationship to herself?
3. Romeo seduces vulnerable young women, like servants, as well as daughters of the upper class, like Rosaline and Juliet. What do you feel he wants from them? Does it differ by rank? How does Rosaline disappoint those expectations?
4. What do you believe Rosaline hopes to gain by telling Tybalt about her relationship with Romeo? Do you think she ...

Please be aware that this discussion may contain spoilers!

Here are some of the comments posted about Fair Rosaline in our legacy forum.
You can see the full discussion here.


"I sense another plague coming to the wicked men of Verona." What was your reaction to this statement?
I agree with scgirl!! When I read the Abbess say that, along with all the descriptions / interactions about this abbey being more lax or progressive than another one nearby, I thought this would make a great follow up book. Vigilante ... - Rebecca L.

Are there other Romeo and Juliet retellings that you have enjoyed recently?
Literature abounds with stories of older men and young inexperienced innocent women, it is the normal, especially where the man is wealthy and worldly. " Rosaline" has implied a more sinister motivation. When I read the book through some ... - valeriei

Can you think of a character whose advice either of the girls might have respected?
It is difficult to imagine young teens listen to the advice of anyone. I think the closest would be Tybalt as he was same age and very close to Rosaline and Juliet - unfortunately he was also immature and not equipped to do anything other than react... - AmberH

Did Fair Rosaline change your interpretation of Romeo and Juliet at all? What about the author's note?
I do think that this is the question that has deepened our thinking about the Romeo and Juliet story, how families are big influences in their children's choice of a marriage partner. Also the customs of the historical time slot. As his ... - valeriei

Did you learn anything new about the time period in which the story is set?
I was surprised at how much actual freedom there was in the convent. - Lyris