Review: Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
2023 has been the year of surprising books for me. I was intrigued by the title alone by Fair Rosaline, but when I realize it was more on the lit fic side of the genre, I wasn’t too sure if I was going to have the brain power to read it. But then I found the audiobook on Scribd and in about three seconds of listening, my expectations were dashed and I was sucked in.
As an actor, I have always loved Shakespeare retellings. But this book isn’t a re-telling…it’s an un-telling. It’s taking ownership of the women in the story of Romeo & Juliet which, as a very loud feminist, was quite important to me. This book made me rage, cry, and feel at peace. I’ve always felt like Romeo was the character needed to point fingers at, but people always like to make fun of Juliet for being young and dumb. But she isn’t, and to finally give voice to Rosaline was so important to me.
Synopsis:
“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 realizes 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?
Shattering everything we thought we knew about Romeo and Juliet, Fair Rosaline is the spellbinding prequel to Shakespeare's best known tale, which exposes Romeo as a predator with a long history of pursuing much younger girls.” —StoryGraph
What I Liked:
The “Untelling” Aspect—I didn’t invent this term, it came from the author herself. There is an interview with her at the back of the book and it made so much sense in hindsight. I think a lot of people will be able to relate to the “coming out of a plague” aspect of this story.
The Pacing—This story moved so well! It takes place over just two weeks and so you process everything with Rosaline and it all feels so plausible.
The Reveals—The reveals of all the villains and heroes! I know the play extremely well but I think even if you don’t you’ll still be nodding along cause it all makes SENSE. I’m obsessed.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
I wanted a little more from the ending, but I think that’s because I became so attached to Rosaline.
Character Authenticity: 5/5 Spice Rating: 0/5 Overall Rating: 4.75/5
Content Warnings:
toxic relationship, adult/minor relationship, gaslighting, death of a parent, death, emotional abuse, drugging, infidelity, murder, miscarriage, still birth