Juliet.... How I Love Thee

(Angela)

This Was By Far The Best Book That I Have Read In A Very Long Time.  It Had Me Interested From The Very Beginning.  The Plot Was Such That It Kept Me Guessing And Wanting To Read To See How It All Was Going To Play Out.  I Could Not Have Guessed Any Of The Events That Actually Happened.  It Was Very Refreshing To Read And Hear Myself Gasp "Oh My God!" At Several Different Parts Of The Book.

The Writing Of The Book Was Brilliant, And I Love The Fact That Though The Book Is Fiction, It Is Strongly Based In Historical Fact.

The Characters Are Well Developed, And I Found That Every Single Character Had Their Endearing Moments And Their Pig-Headed Moments.

What I Loved Most About The Story Was That Their Was A Double Re-Telling Of The Story Of Romeo And Juliet, One In Modern Day Siena (Through Julie And Alessandro, And One In 14Th Century Sienna (Romeo And Gulietta). I Found Both Stories Fascinating, And Actually Had A Hard Time Deciding Which Story Line I Liked The Most. They Both Grip Your Heart And Leave You Very Much Emotionally Involved.

I Would Recommend This Book To Anyone... Even To The Shakespeare Buffs! It Will Give You A Whole New Perspective On Romeo And Juliet.

I Would Have Picked This Up And Reread It Right Away If I Didn't Have Major Packing To Do.

Why Hello again,


Emily here, reporting in after finally managing to have down time enough to finish Juliet and find some amazing questions online about the whole thing. I found my favorite questions and have listed them below. I'll be answering them tomorrow, and I'll be looking forward to hearing what everyone else has to say. 


Warning: If you HAVE NOT FINISHED DO NOT READ THROUGH THE QUESTIONS :-) I don't want to spoil it for you.


I have to say that this is probably one of the best novels I have read in the last few years. I really enjoyed it and had a blast reading it feeling as though I could not put it down!


That is all for now folks. Hope you're enjoying this as much as I am!


1.)  In Anne Fortier's novel Juliet, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet casts a long shadow over the lives of the main characters, past and present. Looking at the "original" story of Romeo and Giulietta set in 1340, consider in what ways Fortier uses Shakespeare's great tragedy as a model for her own work, and in what ways she departs from it.


2.)Discuss the ways in which the bonds of sisterhood—for good and for ill—are central to the novel. Why do you think Fortier introduces this element into her story?


3.) Although there are surprising revelations about all the characters in the novel, perhaps the most shocking has to do with Umberto, Aunt Rose's faithful butler. Did you find Umberto to be a sympathetic character? Why or why not?


4.) Very early in the novel, we are introduced to Julie's recurring dream—a dream that seems to foretell her own fate and to recapitulate the fate of Romeo and Guilietta centuries earlier. Is there a rational explanation for this dream, or is it a supernatural occurrence? And what about the other seemingly supernatural events or objects in the novel, such as the divine intervention of the Virgin Mary on Giulietta's wedding night with Messer Salimbeni, or the destructive powers of Romeo's signet ring; can these events be explained rationally?


5.)  Why does Friar Lorenzo champion the young lovers, risking his life on their behalf? Do you think he is justified in placing a curse on both the Tolomei and the Salimbeni houses?


6.) Maestro Lippi occupies the studio of Maestro Ambrogio, and, like Ambrogio, he, too, has a dog named Dante. Is the author trying to suggest that Lippi is some kind of reincarnation of Ambrogio? What is the relationship between these two characters, separated by centuries?


7.) What about Julie and Alessandro: Are they reincarnations of Giulietta and Romeo, forced to repeat the actions of their ancestors by the terms of an ancient curse, or by some genetic inheritance? In what ways do the lives of the two sets of characters parallel or echo each other? In what ways are they different?


8.) At one point, Alessandro tells Julie: "In my opinion, your story—and Romeo and Juliet as well—is not about love. It's about politics." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why? What do you think the author's opinion is?


9.) Another prevalent theme is that of twins and twinning. Not only are some characters born as twins, but others seem to be mirrored across the centuries. At one point in the novel, Julie sits on the front steps of the Siena Cathedral, thinking about the myth behind the black-and-white Siena coat-of-arms, the Balzana, which involves a pair of twins fleeing from their evil uncle on a black and a white horse. Why do you think Fortier has woven these threads—twinning and black-and-white—so strongly into her fictional tapestry?


10.) At the end of the novel, Julie muses: "Who knows, maybe there never was a curse. Maybe it was just us—all of us—thinking that we deserved one." Do you think there was a curse, or not?

Whats Next?

Angela and I, after much debate, have decided on Juliet by Anne Fortier as our next book endeavor.

This novel seems like a fantastic endeavor for us. Below, the summary from B&N:

Twenty-five-year-old Julie Jacobs is heartbroken over the death of her beloved aunt Rose. But the shock goes even deeper when she learns that the woman who has been like a mother to her has left her entire estate to Julie’s twin sister. The only thing Julie receives is a key—one carried by her mother on the day she herself died—to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy.
    
This key sends Julie on a journey that will change her life forever—a journey into the troubled past of her ancestor Giulietta Tolomei. In 1340, still reeling from the slaughter of her parents, Giulietta was smuggled into Siena, where she met a young man named Romeo. Their ill-fated love turned medieval Siena upside-down and went on to inspire generations of poets and artists, the story reaching its pinnacle in Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. 
    
But six centuries have a way of catching up to the present, and Julie gradually begins to discover that here, in this ancient city, the past and present are hard to tell apart. The deeper she delves into the history of Romeo and Giulietta, and the closer she gets to the treasure they allegedly left behind, the greater the danger surrounding her—superstitions, ancient hostilities, and personal vendettas. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families involved in the unforgettable blood feud, she begins to fear that the notorious curse—“A plague on both your houses!”—is still at work, and that she is destined to be its next target. Only someone like Romeo, it seems, could save her from this dreaded fate, but his story ended long ago. Or did it?
    
From Anne Fortier comes a sweeping, beautifully written novel of intrigue and identity, of love and legacy, as a young woman discovers that her own fate is irrevocably tied—for better or worse—to literature’s greatest star-crossed lovers.

We welcome you to join us on this newest adventure and we look forward to your questions and answers throughout this novel. We plan on starting it in about a week once Angela manages to get herself moved back home! Safe travels darling!

~Emily

The Shack -- In Summary

    What is there to knowing something with acute certainty? To be free within our lives in a way we've never before believed is a lovely thing. There is closure and awakening in The Shack, and I think that there is no way that two readers would come away feeling the same way about this novel.

     Yes, it explains our lives in relation to Christianity in a bunch of ways. But it also encapsulates the true meaning of a God being present anyway, whether you're a believer or not.

     A profound sense of calm emanates from me when I finish this book each time. I learn something else, read each passage a different way, and feel just a little closer to God each time. The book doesn't preach religion (if you're able to take it with an open mind). If anything, it centuries established religion on the way it tells our reader that personal religion doesn't have to be practiced anywhere but in our hearts. It is there, brick and mortar church or not.

     Our character loses his child and steps away from the world because of it. Through the healing power of knowledge and awareness of his life, he finds his way back to the world -- and back to his family.

     He does not miss his daughter less, nor does he stop trying to make certain that justice is received. He, instead, learns not to be angry at God for what has come to pass as the relationship to god is defined in a way which everyone understands. It reminds the reader that god does not pass judgment and he does not cause the things which happen. He merely set into action the world and watches it pass.

     The whole of the novel is up-lifting and everything about it speaks to a better understanding of the relationship between not only God and Jesus, but also the Holy ghost. It further explains the relationship between those three and the human element.

    I, personally, enjoy every page of this book and truly enjoy that the book is written from the point of view of such a normal and every-day character. Everything about this novel lends itself to be read and understood by everyone on their own terms, though it does take a clear and open minded point of view to be able to read and understand this novel for what it is. It will help many have the faith they are looking for, even when they haven't realized that they are searching for it.

     I really would recommend this novel to anyone who loves to think and to expand his/her awareness of the world. The novel makes short work of everyday questions about God and the ever present question of why?

   I truly enjoyed re-reading this book and will shelve it once more to re-read it again someday.

~Emily

Disscussion Questions: The Shack

(Angela)
I am really enjoying this book. I can't say enough good things about it. It is a different perspective on God and the idea that He has a plan for everything.  Emily was right when she decided that I would get the Inspiration that I was looking for (and didn't find in Eat.Pray.Love).
I was not sure how I wanted to blog about the book and my reading. Soooo I did a google search and found some great Discussion questions from other book clubs that have read this book. I figured it would be a start.

1.) Were you drawn in by the plot of The Shack?
(Ang): Yes, I found the writing and plot very catching. Once I started reading I wanted to know exactly what happened, and what would happen. There are so many elements in the book that make you think, and I wanted to see what new thought provoking situations were around every corner.


(Em): I did find myself strangely drawn into the plot of The Shack. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started reading it, and I admit that I was quite skeptical about reading a book based heavily (or so I thought) on a religion I wasn't sure I believed in. This book was given to me by a friend I worked with who had quite strict views on religion. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get into it because it would push an agenda... I was wrong on that one. From the moment I started reading, I couldn't put the book down.

2.) Why do you think Mack's encounter with God took place at the shack?
(Ang): I think that Mack's encounter with God took place at the shack because that is truly the place were Mack lost faith in God. It is the core of his pain, anger, and distrust in God. It is only through confronting the shack and all that it represents that Mack can regain his relationship with God.


(Em): I think I have to agree with Angela here. His encounter took place at the shack because it was his absolute breaking point with his faith. He lost something he could never get back, and he truly couldn't rationalize why "God" would do such a thing to him. The shack was the site of the major loss and it follows that it should also be the site of the greatest of gifts. His faith.

3.) Did The Shack change any of your opinions about God or Christianity?
(Ang): I have been struggling with my faith for many years. I have been filled with distrust, confusion, and anger at some of the events that have happened in my life. I would say  that reading The Shack has definitely made me want to re-explore my relationship with God and have a renewed hope and faith that God has everything in His hands.

(Em): I have to say that I too have been struggling with my faith. I chose to re-read this book to feel again the enlightenment and lightness that I felt once I'd read this book the first time. I may not remember what every word said, but I plan on reading it until I do. My faith has changed, and I find myself looking at God in a very different and more personal way. I really enjoyed listening to the eye-opening explanations that this author wrote into this narrative. 


4.) Would you recommend The Shack to a friend?
(Ang): Yes. Definitely.  Even if you are not the most religious person, I believe that there are valuable lessons to be taken away from this book.


(Em): As we've already written -- I already have, and I will again. I'm sure.

5.) Rate The Shack on a scale of 1 to 5. (1 being the worst and 5 being the best)
(Ang): I would give this book a 4


(Em): This book gets a 4 from me as well. It takes a certain intellect and a certain dedication to be able to read this book. You need an open mind and a brain which can take things as they are and see them from many different angles. I certainly found that with this book. I really enjoyed reading it, and hope many more people do.

We lost the battle

(Emily)

     Angela and I are both well educated English major types who adore reading. In our lifetimes we have come across very very few books which we haven't been able to trudge our way through, even if we didn't absolutely love them at the time. We've managed to make it through some of the worst and dullest literary minds of the past centuries. Each time we were able to buckle down and plow through, somehow pulling enough from each of these trials to write the end of the year paper -- or whatever the assignment was.
     This book, "Eat Pray Love" has actually proved to be something we have no interest in reading. We have dedicated massive amounts of time to reading this book and we're getting nowhere. We cannot manage to figure things out and get through this book for the same reasons we've both written about. We cannot manage to figure out a way to feel for the character in this book. So, for one of the few times in our lives we've decided to say screw it and not finish this book.

     On to one we'll get through -- hopefully. I've read it before but have long been wanting to read it again. Angela has never read it, and I hope that she finds the inspiration and hope she longed to find in "Eat Pray Love."
     We have chosen to read.. drumroll please...

 "The Shack" by William P. Young

     This is a fantastically inspiring book, and if you haven't read it. I emplore you to come on this journey with us and delve into the meaning of God and God's enteraction withint us and our lives. It is utterly lovely and I've enjoyed reading it so much I'm ready to do it again. The shack is about a man, Mack, who spends an entire week in the shack where his daughter was murdered... he doesn't spend the time alone, he spends the time with God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost. It is absolutely lovely. It answers a lot of questions that normal people seeking their faith ask of God. 

     It doesn't push an agenda, which I really like. I find it answers good, very good questions. So... we are beginning this journey, and have actually begun it. I cannot wait to see what we'll feel reading this book as opposed to reading the last!

Crazy!

     I hate to admit that I completely agree with Angela on this one. I've been trying to read this book for well over a week now, and normally a book this size takes me three days... or one whole night if I get too much into it! I find myself glaring at this book -- not sure I want to pick it up and continue reading it. I've made it to page 30 and I find myself completely detached from the writer. The only things I like in this book so far are the random tangents she takes where she talks about history, or random facts.
     I don't find her character convincing. I don't feel sorry for her because she messed up her own life. I don't feel sorry for her at all. I feel horrible for her husband, the man who thought she loved him. The man who woke up one day and realized that the woman who was supposed to love him could so easily walk away from him. I don't see him as the bad guy. I don't see him drawing out the divorce for a few years as a bad thing. I think it was him trying to have hope that she would change her mind and change the things that she was doing so much to ruin. I know what it feels like to have someone who is supposed to love you walk right out of your life -- and I'll never feel sorry for someone who can do that to someone else.
     I don't feel the need to feel sorry for this character at all. Okay, fine, you feel that you don't know yourself -- but -- there are so many things I wish she'd explained. There is just not enough emotion and information in the first 30 pages for me to find her story convincing. I want to know why she felt the way she felt, and more details. I don't want to be told, I want her to use her words and show me a lot more about this character.
    I saw the movie, and I have to say that this lovely artist who she shacks up with in the book is not the crazy, dead beat character they made him out to be in the movie. I have begun to wonder if they made him less likable to make her story more credible, because it lacked a bunch of credit for the reader to feel as though they felt for her in any way.
    Anyway, I'm going to take another stab at it, and I'm going to try to find something I like about it!
  

I Just Don't Get It....

(Angela)

Ok... So I was really excited to start this book. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about it, and I refused to watch the movie until I had read the book.

Now... lets note the keyword in the above sentence..'WAS'. I have been reading for almost two weeks now and I have not even passed Part One. That is unheard of for me! I usually get engrossed in a book and I can't put it down. Reading has never taken all that long. Now.... This can be because I have had a lot on my mind with my getting ready to move to Indonesia for two years. That is actually very possible, But I have to say that I really think it is just how the book is written and the main character. .

Now for everyone who loved this book, just hear me out! I am having a very hard time sympathizing with the main character. I believe for me to understand her and like her, I need to know more about where she is coming from.  In Part One *Spoiler*(if you have not read the book and don't want anything ruined don't read on), she is beside herself in grief because her husband wants to have a baby and live the dream life, and she decides that is not what she wants. She decides that she no longer wants to be married to her husband. But we were never given any real explanation to understand her reasoning. To understand why she decides to leave. We are never privy to this information. How can I say "OMG. I understand what she is going through" when the author doesn't share it with her readers. We are just left to accept her decision no matter what. Ok.. fine... and then, before she even is divorced she is in and out of a relationship with this gorgeous artist. Now I could be missing something... her compulsive relationship hopping could be the reason for her journey (Remember I have not finished the book) but at the moment all I am seeing is a woman who had a midlife crisis and left her husband for apparently no good reason.

As a compulsive relationship jumper myself, I find myself wanting to connect with the author. I want to say 'I understand completely why you decided to make your decision'. But I keep coming up way short and unable to connect. I just don't get it. 

I am going to trudge forward with this book and hopefully make a surprising discovery that it gets better, but to be honest, at the moment, my feelings about what I have read so far make me not want to pick the book up again.(This really is unheard of for me).

Here is to hoping for light at the end of the tunnel.

(Please feel free to let me know if I have totally missed something that would enable me to like this book!)

Welcome!

     (Emily)
     We are, as the profile says, Emily and Angela. We met at college during a well planned group assignment in a literary class. We teamed up, and never parted. We've been out of that class for over five years and we've stayed in touch.
     We're both writers, and avid readers. This is our book blog. Recently Angela found out that she was accepted and assigned to the Asian sector of the Peace Corps. She deploys in late April. She will be missed, so dearly by me that I am not sure what I'll do when I can't talk to her on a daily basis. She's been one of my closest friends, and one of the people I most trust in my life. We are very good together and have always loved talking about the books we read. So, we figured the best way to stay in touch when she leaves is to make our book blog so we can keep up with each other and do the thing we love most -- talk!
      This all came about because we both really wanted to read Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. We wanted to talk about it all the time, but phone minutes are scarce and we're into talking for hours and having very deep conversation. So, welcome to our blog, please consider reading Eat Pray Love with us.

     We are very excited to read this piece. I have already seen the movie, and have been told numerous times that the book is very very good -- better than the movie. I'm ready to find out. Let the journey begin!