Book Review: Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons

‘Fair Rosaline’ is a historical fiction novel inspired by the events of the Shakespearian classic, Romeo and Juliet. The book, by Natasha Solomons was released in 2023 and was her ninth release. Her name may be familiar because she’s the author behind ‘I, Mona Lisa’.

This is the story of Rosaline, Romeo’s scorned lover, mentioned fleetingly as one of Juliet’s cousins, whom Romeo was betrothed to before he fell head over heels with Juliet. The story follows her through the start of a sweltering summer amidst the bubonic plague, where the families Montague and Capulet travel to and from Verona to their various homes. Although the families are feuding, already, both acknowledge the anguish that the plague leaves in its wake. Rosaline, who lost her mother to the plague, struggles to manage her grief, feeling snubbed by her father, and abandoned by her late mother, only to learn that her mother’s dying wish was for Rosaline to be admitted to a convent. The same convent that her aunts lived and died in when Rosaline was a child.

Although Rosaline is suspicious that her mother never intended this, she is at her father’s mercy, granted just a twelve day reprieve in which she may live free of the confines of the convent where she will remain until the end of her days. Something she really doesn’t want. So, when she catches word of an extravagant party at Montague House, she infiltrates it, masquerading as a man, and meets none other than Romeo.

And, as he did Juliet, Romeo fell head over heels in love with her.

I loved this depiction of Rosaline, and Juliet, it acknowledged the flaws in the original Shakespearian tragedy, such as the disgustingly young age of Juliet Capulet, and the liklihood that Romeo was a womanizer. I loved how the characters each addressed the idea of age, maturity, womanhood and manhood as well as reputation. In the original story, we know little about Tybalt, aside from him being anti-Montague, but in Solomons’ adaptation of the tragedy, she offers a flattering, fair, and sympathetic depiction of him. I really loved getting to learn more about the characters that faded into the background in the original, and in many adaptations.

Although Rosaline acknowledges that she and Tybalt are young, both fifteen years old, they are significantly more mature and worldly than Juliet, who is thirteen. The ages of the male characters, such as Romeo and Paris are expressed to be greater than in Shakespeare’s story, which I appreciated in its own regard. Paris is predatory, explicitly in this novel. He is greying and old, and he is leering over Juliet, lording his status over House Montague to secure the match. Meanwhile, Rosaline is subject to a convent because her father wouldn’t consider letting her marry. She was too young. It said a lot about how children are loved, favoured and protected by their family.

Throughout the novel, Rosaline and Tybalt acknowledge that they are the forgotten Capulets, the neglected Capulets, the Capulets that are swept under the rug, both are loved with immense ferocity by those around them. It’s sad. But it is reflective of how people feel about their families all the time.

Not to spoil the book, but, since the story follows Rosaline, any and all events surrounding the canon of the original Shakespearian tragedy, are skewed, offering a refreshing, modern and feminist depiction of a character often forgotten. I loved reading it, it had macabre, descriptions befitting of the grotesque times from which it was set, and the ending is incredibly satisfying. I would definitely recommend it!