I Am Juliet- Jackie French

This book was a really interesting, quick read. I am very much interested in Shakespeare and the Elizabethan times, that this story of Romeo and Juliet really made me think differently of this famous and tragic play.

It is entirely focused on Juliet- her daily life, how she is ignored by her parents until it is time to marry, and how she is growing into a young woman.

Then BAM- Romeo is in the scene and things just go bad from there. And go downhill, of course.

This is a very, very romancey book, and not one I would usually enjoy. But, I thought I would give it a go, and it turns out I really loved it. It was an entirely new perspective and I will never think the same of this play again. It sheds true light on the people of those times, and what behaviour is appropriate and so on.

I also found helpful was at the end of the book, there was an Author's Notes, and Jackie explained lots of things about Elizabethan times and things that were included in the book, such as Elizabethan Table Manners, The History of the Play, and Marie de France.

Juliet is such a strong, passionate person, but with mixed up feelings and she is also weak in the face of danger at times. Romeo is mysterious and wise. They make a perfect match, but, as you probably know, it doesn't end like a fairytale....

Do not let this deter you! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It tied romance, mystique, drama and poetry together really well in a nicely paced, well crafted novel.
Zobo!