52 Books In 52 Weeks Challenge, Week 2, Juliet by Anne Fortier

Juliet by Anne Fortier is a book I have had my eye on for quite some time. I spotted it in the English book section of a book shop, just off the Palio in Sienna, Italy. Too expensive to buy there so I bought it when I came home. And then it sat there in our book rack in our sun room, the pages gently yellowing. And finally I picked it up to read.

Over the run up to Christmas, I read quite a lot, and enjoyed the Poets' Wives by David Park and the two Hilary Mantel tudor mysteries amongst others. Time, I thought for something lighter. And, so, Juliet came out of the book rack. Maybe it was the wrong time to read this, the competition was very steep.  Yes the book is set in Sienna and is based on the original story of Romeo and Juliet. Seemingly Shakespeare based his lovestruck couple in Verona, but the families, were, according to Anne Fortier, from Sienna and the contrade and their families form the basis of the story.

But.......I was very disappointed in this. Although it spans the centuries I found it rather disjointed and it didn't grab my attention the way I had hoped. I found it was a book I wanted to finish rather than leaping towards the finish. Maybe I expected too much of this book. I will be passing it on to my friend Anne, who also loves Tuscany. It will be interesting to see what she thinks. Anne and her husband have given my husband a bottle of Brunello from Montacino. I expect great things of it too, and doubt I will be disappointed.


Next week's book will be Anne Cleeves' new book, Thin Air.

Linking up with read52booksin52weeks.com

Comments

  1. I have just been reading through your last few blogs. You have been a very busy sewer over the last few months, whilst I have been a neglectful sewer. I am reading John McGahern's book Amongst Women. I recommend it highly. He writes beautifully. I can't tell you how beautifully. X

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  2. It's a shame when books do not live up to how you imagine them but good luck with Anne Cleeves, I've read a couple of her books and quite enjoyed them. Suzy x

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