I personally find it more difficult to get into books written in third-person. It’s a perfectly valid choice of writing style, of course, and many of my favorite books are written from a third-person POV, like, oh, I don’t know, the Harry Potter series! Tamora Pierce usually writes in the third-person, too, and so does Melissa Marr. So, obviously, it can turn out awesome. But for me, it’s harder to get grabbed from the first page, harder to get completely into the story to the point where I don’t want to answer the phone or eat or anything! It has to be done very well to capture my attention immediately. Also because it’s a little more difficult to get to know the characters, because you’re not inside the main character’s head all the time. I guess it’s just less personal or something. And while I realize that is entirely a personal bias and that neither first nor third person point of view is intrinsically better than the other, it sometimes affects my opinions on books that I read.
And with that in mind, The Juliet Club, written in the third-person (with lots of head-hopping, which was handled with minimal confusion, thankfully–with six main characters, that had to be a little difficult!) did not fully grab my attention. I enjoyed it all the way through, but I wasn’t racing to the next page. I didn’t feel close to the characters. I kept reading, hoping I’d get drawn into the story more, but sadly, no.
The Juliet Club is about six teenagers spending a month in Verona, Italy, the city where Shakespeare’s famous Romeo and Juliet takes place. The three Americans are winners of an essay contest whose prize is to study at the Shakespeare Seminar, and the Italians are there for various reasons.
Kate, Tom, and Lucy have flown halfway around the world (not together, as they are from different parts of the country) and are excited for a summer in Italy! Kate’s father is a noted Shakespeare scholar teaching at the seminar, and they’re all staying in a villa owned by his chief rival, Francesca Marchese. Kate is suffering from a broken heart after a bitter breakup, and, as she is a very practical and sensible person, thinks that means love is not worthwhile. Her two best friends, however, think her heart will be thawed with the promise of a summer romance in Italy! Tom is not much of a scholar–his main interest is soccer (er, football, now that they are in Italy!). Lucy is a charming, bubbly Southern beauty who is absolutely swept away by the fact that she is in Italy!
Benno, Giacomo, and Silvia all live in Verona. The three teens come from different backgrounds, and are studying at the seminar for different reasons, and with entirely different attitudes about it. Benno is short, cheerful, and a hard worker who is always having to dash off to run an errand for whoever pays him. His best friend, Giacomo, is the handsome type all the girls fall for, but he never really cares about any of the girls always flocking to him. He flirts, has fun, breaks their hearts, and moves on. He is less than thrilled about having to study Shakespeare all summer, but his mother insists. Silvia is an angry beauty, lashing out at the world for various reasons that will later be revealed.
The six of them are thrown together for a summer of studying Shakespeare by acting it out and answering letters for the Juliet Club. Apparently, people all over the world write the fictional character for advice in romantic matters, and they are supposed to answer these letters. The study of romance is not limited to text and letters, however; there are some romantic sparks flying around in reality, too! And, of course, with that comes romantic mishaps and misunderstandings and all sorts of things that don’t go exactly as they’re meant to.
While this sounds like a lot of fun, and it is, I do think that perhaps Suzanne Harper has taken on too much with this novel. There are six main characters, but I don’t really think we get to know any of them. Kate is in the spotlight more than the rest, but still not very much. Because Harper has to divide the story between all six of them, their motivations and personalities, everything that makes a character seem real, is just explained rather than really shown–she takes the easy way out. As a reader, I didn’t feel close to any of the characters, and didn’t feel like I knew them well. They were not well-developed.
There’s some potential in this story, certainly. I do love books with fun settings, so a summer in Italy is perfect! However, this would have been a much better book if the author had focused on one of the couples, rather than all six characters, and let the reader really get to know them, switching viewpoints. This is making me wish for what might have been! With some changes, this could have been a great book rather than a mediocre one. Especially if the ending had been less tidy. Real life is rarely tidy.
The Juliet Club is enjoyable, but it could have been so much better. You might be better off checking this one out from the library rather than spending money on the hardcover, if you are so inclined to read it. It will be released in June.
February 28, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Aw, that’s too bad. I liked the author’s first book, The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney, and was looking forward to this one. It doesn’t sound especially great, and stories with too many undefined, unknown characters usually confuse me.
September 19, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Don’t listen! The Juliet Club is a good book! Believe me, this person is making it sound worse than it really is. There are no totally undefined character in this book, all are known and all have their own personality. I love this book, it’s such a nice read, and although it wasn’t a thrilling book like James Patterson, Melissa Marr, or Patricia Brigg’s books, it was still very charming in it’s own right. I’m beginning to think that some people don’t really know a good author when they read one. And the reason that they talk like that is, let’s face it, KATE GREW UP WITH A SHAKESPEARE-LOVING FATHER! SHE LOVES THE PLAY! NATURALLY, YOU LIKE TO USE SAYING THAT HAVE BEEN IN A BOOK YOU LOVE! IF YOU’VE NEVER DONE THAT, YOU’VE NEVER TRULY BEEN READING!!!
September 3, 2010 at 7:25 am
hey do you know any books that are similar to the juliet club? it’s the besttt book!!!
September 12, 2010 at 3:58 pm
I totally agree with you!!! This is one of the best books i’ve ever read!! I would reread it over and over for the rest of my life if i could(: The person here just doesn’t know a good when they read one!!!! YOU WOULD BE OUT OF YOUR MIND NOT TO TRULY FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK!!!!!
September 6, 2010 at 4:51 pm
no its a really great book
February 28, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I JUST got this in the mail yesterday from TRT. I’m only at the part where Kate is meeting Tom but I understand what you mean about not knowing the characters. Hopefully it gets a bit better :)
June 19, 2010 at 1:48 pm
it does trust me
July 27, 2008 at 7:18 pm
To be quite blunt.. this book was horrible. Does Ms.Harper really think 17 year old Americans speak that way? The only reason I enjoyed it was by picking a random page an laughing about the stilted english. What a waste of my time.
December 30, 2011 at 11:34 pm
Your wrong. The book is AMAZING. It’s an amazing romance. And it’s something i wish would happen to me. If you don’t like the book why comment about it? You could stunt someone from reading a book that could change their life or fall in love with it. I know i could read it OVER and OVER till the day i die. THAT’S how good this book was. Is. So my advice to anyone who reads this comment? READ THE BOOK.
July 28, 2008 at 7:50 am
I had high hopes for this book as we are heading off to Italy in a few weeks and thought reading the Juliet Club would get us in the mood. Well it wasn’t quite the mood I had intended! My 18 year old daughter was in convulsions over this book and kept reading parts out loud while we were at a soccer game. What teen says “zounds” and “make haste”! While the book did give us a good laugh, I am not sure that is what the author intended.
August 7, 2008 at 8:13 pm
What?!
I just finished reading the book like an hour ago and I thought that it was AMAZING.
It was funny it was a romance, it was set in Italy (I have a little obsession with Italy)
This book has been moved to my favorite book so far and I have read A LOT of books.
It’s a freaking awesome book and I would recommend it to my romantic fanatic friends!
August 15, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I’m totally with mayaa!
i loove that book,
i didint want it too end!
i loved the romace betwen kate and Giacoomo! omg ! i loved it i’m actually thinking of reading it again
November 2, 2010 at 6:34 pm
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!!!!!! does anybody know if she’s making a sequel to this book because i really want her to!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
September 6, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I absolutely loved this book and recommended it to all of my friends. i read the book in one day because i couln’t get enough of it. it was AMAZING!!! i give it two thumbs up. but i guess some people don’t feel the same. o well
June 11, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I agree with Chrisitna, I read the book in an afternoon. It was a perfect way to pass the time one summer day.
December 31, 2008 at 1:06 pm
This book had mediocore writing, but it was a funny fluff novel
February 13, 2009 at 1:41 am
Holy crows! Do you seriously think that way? I’m sorry but I absolutely ADORE that book! It was like, way too beautiful for mine own eyes! I seriously think that Miss Harper is a really great author! I really recommend it to EVERYBODY~! I actually understood the characters and everything~ but it’s okay if other’s don’t think that! Everybody has their own opinions~! :D
March 12, 2009 at 7:14 pm
THIS BOOK WAS AAAMMMAAAZZINNNGGG!!!!!!! I read a TTOONN and this book is exactly what i’ve been looking for and if your a person who reads a lot the fact that there are 6 main characters shouldn’t phase you. The Juliet Club is definitely on my top 10 favorite books!!!
June 6, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I LOVED the book!It was totally amazing! Though ido agree that there were some flaws, i didn’t want it to end!
July 18, 2009 at 5:52 pm
i was just thinking about this book as i had read it in the beginning of summer….
I forgot why kate was mad at the dude whose name begins with g…..
was it another girl or had she read a note he wrote that upset her or something like that i dont remember….
help me out
September 2, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Kate was mad because she had thought that her and Giacomo had something going between them, which there was. But when Benno asked Giacomo to help write a note to the girl he like, Lucy, he had Giacomo write it for him. So it looked better, because in the book it states that Benno’s handwriting wasnt really good. So when Lucy got the letter, she showed it to Kate and Kate thought that it was Giacomo who like Lucy, and Kate was upset.
Giacomo knew something was up with Kate and tried to confront her and ask what was wrong, so they meet in the Garden. He tried to tell Kate that he really did like her but she ignored it, thinking that he didnt really mean it because he says it to so many other girls “i love you” didnt mean anything coming from him, but in the end it all worked out, no duh rite?
September 2, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I had to read this book for a report for school. So I had to read it many time to comprehend what the report wanted me to do…
Anyways, I loved the fact that Suzanne Harper switched view points, but she didnt really have to do that with all of them. Just Kate and Giacomo would have been fine really. It got really confusing after awhile. Like one of the reviewers said above, she didnt really give us a chance to get to know any of the characters like I would have.
Not only that it was really hard to understand what happened at the end…anyone want to explain??
October 18, 2009 at 11:06 am
At the end, Giacomo and Kate say they love each other! One thing that COULD be confusing at the end is when Sarah says describes how her suede boots go well with her coat!The thing is,Sarah is one of Kate’s best friend. Annie is too and they make a bet that if Kate falls in love in Italy, Annie would give her black suede boots to Sarah!Sarah says that she is going to give her silver necklace to Annie if Kate doesn’t fall n love in Italy! And, because Kate and Giacomo fall in love (HURRAY!!!!!), Sarah gets the black suede boots! :)
August 14, 2012 at 12:48 am
OH MY GOSH!!!! I totally forgot about the bet!!!! It all make sence now!!!! Ahh!!!! I’m so happy!!! Hahaha I love this book so much. Does anyone know a book similar to this one??
December 8, 2009 at 7:17 pm
i think that it’s good that she switched to the different viewpoints it kept the story interesting
December 22, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Oh my God this book is so amazing! I could not stop reading it, the broken hearts, the love, all set in one of the most romantic places on Earth! The author portrays the characters beautifully. Sensible Kate who has created a shell around her heart, Silvia with her tough life and who is really kind if you get past the initial snappiness, Tom who really just wants to play some good soccer, Lucy who is just head over heels for everything this town has to offer, Benno who works hard and doesn’t have much luck with the ladies, and Giacomo who will stop hearts everywhere, but has never had a real romance. I enjoyed this book and everyone should give it a try.
January 4, 2010 at 6:17 pm
OMFG!!!! i cant believe it!! ive read ALOT of books…ive read all of them in my school and town libraries and had to move to another library, so ive read alot…but this is one of THE best books ive ever read!!! sigh…the romance, the tragedy, the heartbreak…..THE LOVE!!!!<3<3<3<3<3 i love this and recommend it to anyone who hasnt read it:D
February 12, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Wow I loved this book so much! Infact I read it all in 1 day! Actually I have just finished reading it and it is on my lap!! Anyone who can get a hold of the book should read it!
June 16, 2010 at 11:40 pm
I just finished reading this book, and, while it was mediocre at worst, a book like that shouldn’t be such a breeze to whip through. I am a fast reader, I’ll brag slightly, but a book of that thickness shouldn’t be so “oh, well, this probably isn’t important, so I can skim that paragraph… that one too…” and so on.
The character development was alright, I suppose, but switching from viewpoint to viewpoint gave me figurative whiplash. I found myself rooting more for the lamenting Benno and his student of football Lucy than the intended main focus of the lady-killer Giacomo and the practical Kate. No one actually has that state of mind other than Temperance Brennan from the TV show Bones, and especially not a teenage girl. Oh, and to all of the people who are wondering why Harper keeps putting strange sayings into the mouths of these six main characters, might I remind you that three of them happen to have grown up in Italy and some (Benno especially) don’t have a full grasp of the English language? And, as a matter of fact, I do talk like most of these characters. I’m fourteen. Nobody seems to question it.
I won’t say that it was all bad, though. It was certainly a cute – if not slightly wistful – look at Shakespeare, his works, and what they inspire. Paris may be the city of love (where Kate and Giacomo made up where that woman in the green flowered dress went), but Italy is the birthplace of romance.
To summarize, the book was too filler, too underdeveloped, and too charming to tear away from.
September 4, 2010 at 7:01 pm
I agree slightly, but I absolutely adore the way she writes. It’s kind of awkward at times because of the way she writes, but I felt really connected with this book and it made me wish for a romance like this.
August 28, 2010 at 1:52 am
i just finished the book today and i find
it very very good (; the love conntected
between kate and Giacomo so very understanding , with romeo and juliet plot.
i just love it so much but i was hoping for a second one. (:
November 2, 2010 at 6:38 pm
me too!!!!!!!!!!! do you think she will?
September 4, 2010 at 6:59 pm
WOW, who ever thinks that this book is not good is crazy. I actually loved it very much, but Kate kind of annoyed me ’cause she was just so pragmatic and practical. But, this book can just make you feel good about love and that maybe that special someone is just around the corner.
September 15, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Amazing book. Had me on the edge till the very last page was flipped shut. Wish there was a squel! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 17, 2010 at 4:07 pm
I had to read this book for a report at School and I loved it. I like the way Suzanne Harper did her forshadowing,it was great.I also liked how there was so much romance. I would defainantly read it again.
November 16, 2010 at 12:09 pm
I liked this book but it wasn’t very exciting. Very predictable. Feel free to read my review if you want :)
November 21, 2010 at 6:15 pm
I hated this book, to be honest. It has mediocre writing, with ridiculous characters. Proferessa Marchese is supposed to be a professional, famous, acclaimed author and professor, yet she’s famous for writing a book in which Shakespeare is still alive and writing plays based on modern day people and incidents? That’s absolutely ludicrous.
Kate is a very unlikable character, as well. She’s very self-righteous and at times outright rude. She seems to think Lucy is shallow because Lucy spends some time on the way she looks, which I don’t think is anything unreasonable.
Not to mention the fact that there wasn’t an ounce of originality in this book. It was all cliches and stereotypes. My friends and I have spent many a days laughing at it and ranting about how terrible it was.
The only character I really liked was Tom and that’s just because I thought it was hilarious that he basically cheated his way into Italy so he could play football (soccer) in Italy.
All in all, I think maybe this book could be enjoyable to a preteen girl, but I really can’t understand how anyone could like this book.
May 18, 2011 at 8:20 pm
No way! I disagree-I absolutely adored this book! When my teacher assigned for us to give a verbal book report on our favorite books, I picked The Juliet Club; also, I find it offensive to be referred to as a “preteen girl”.
January 1, 2012 at 10:47 pm
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[…]Review: The Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper « Teen Book Review[…]…
February 29, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Don’t believe everything you read. This is my favorite book… Hands down. & obviously if a teenager had deep studies in literature like Shakespeare, they would speak quite differently than most who read Twilight & Harry Potter. The imagery, the contrast of the characters, the plot… Everything was beautifully written. Thank you Suzanne Harper:)
April 22, 2012 at 3:02 pm
Yes i can agree that you don’t get close to the charecters like Lucy and Tom but Kate is very real. By the end of the book you she feels like a friend and you understand her. I personally think it is a beautiful book and there aren’t many of those anymore because everyone is writting about war and destruction. I loved it.
June 14, 2012 at 7:16 pm
I think this book was awesome with details and was slow at first but got better and savoring the more and more you kept reading
September 2, 2012 at 8:06 pm
I JUST FINISHED THIS BOOK AND IT HAS JUST TOPPED MY LUST FOR THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ!!!!!! I love Giacomo and Kate!!!
September 2, 2012 at 8:07 pm
I mean list not lust lol
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