Juliet by Anne Fortier

Author: Anne Fortier

Format: Paperback, 480 pages

Publisher: Ballantine Books (July 26, 2011)

Indonesian Publisher: Qanita (February 2012)

Rating: 5 out of 5

Synopsis:

Juliet, an ambitious, utterly engaging historical novel on the scale of The Thirteenth Tale and The Birth of Venus, follows a young woman who discovers that her family’s origins reach all the way back to literature’s greatest star-crossed lovers.

When Julie Jacobs inherits a key to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy, she is told it will lead her to an old family treasure. Soon she is launched on a winding and perilous journey into the history of her ancestor Giulietta, whose legendary love for a young man named Romeo rocked the foundations of medieval Siena. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families involved in Shakespeare’s unforgettable blood feud, she begins to realize that the notorious curse—“A plague on both your houses!”—is still at work, and that she is the next target. It seems that the only one who can save Julie from her fate is Romeo—but where is he? (http://www.annefortier.com/juliet/)

Review:

JULIET is the first novel by a Danish American author, Anne Fortier. This is the most amazing Historical Fiction I have ever read.

A Golden Web

Author: Barbara Quick

Format: Hardcover, 272 pages

Publisher: HarperTeen (April 6, 2010)

Indonesian Publisher: Atria (March 2011)

Rating: 5 out of 5

Synopsis:

What does a girl do when she finds the love of her life while disguised as a boy—when divulging her secret could cause her to be burned at the stake as a witch?

In Medieval Emilia-Romagna, girls are powerless to choose or change their fate—and yet Alessandra, brilliant and brave, is determined to find a way. Disguising her gender, she sets out to infiltrate and conquer the all-male world of medical school.

In this exquisite retelling of a centuries-old story, Alessandra Giliani, the world’s first female anatomist, claims her rightful place among our most endearing and enduring heroines.

Researched with the same meticulous care and rendered with the same vividness and poignancy as her internationally bestselling novel Vivaldi’s Virgins, Barbara Quick’s first young adult title is a tale to encourage and inspire readers of all ages. (http://www.barbaraquick.com/agoldenweb.html)

Review:

Another great historical fiction work. I always appreciate this genre, especially the author. Moreover, Miss Quick also touches gender inequality as the main theme. As the main character, Alessandra fights really hard to pursuit her dream that is to get to school and become a doctor, which is impossible for women at the 14th century of Italy. She is not only must run away from home, but also dress up and act like a man. However, this is kind of a happy ending story where Alessandra gets her dream, family (back), and true love in the end of the story. I would love to give it 5 stars, undoubtedly.

Indonesian version (Atria, March 2011)

From Venus to Mars and Back

Author: Angus N. Hunter
Format: Paperback, 176 pages
Publisher: Destiny Image (November 1, 2009)
Indonesian Publisher: Visi Press (July 2011)
Rating: 5 out of 5

Synopsis:

This book clarifies gender issues and ends all doubt as to what God had in mind when He made you as He did. For individual or group study for young people and adults, From Venus to Mars and Back explores thought-provoking concepts and insights about gender and sexual identity. Its truths urge you into contemplation about who you are and why you are. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, refers to human sexuality as a great mystery.This book helps you to consider that mystery. It explores God s intentions for masculinity and femininity on a level that includes and transcends the material and physical universe. It reveals emotional and spiritual issues that mere rationalism cannot begin to address such as: What do the words masculinity and femininity mean emotionally and spiritually? What was God thinking about when He created sexuality? What does being created as man or woman tell us about who we are? What does our being created male and female as expressions of the very image of God tell us about God and who He is? What does our sexuality symbolize? This is a book about God and His redemptive ways of restoring His image in His fallen and bent children. (http://www.amazon.com/From-Venus-Mars-Back-Means/dp/0768431174)

Review:

It is really a great book, well-observed and well-executed. I highly recommend this book to every young readers whose still figure out who they really are, who they want to be, and what they are created for. The author tells us what God's intention by creating us as men and women. Mr. Angus explicitly shows us that masculinity in theology is not only about man's authority. It is a symbol to describe Jesus as the only leader and the church (everyone, men or women) is His bride (feminine). This book also contains some quotes from C.S. Lewis whose one of his book entitled Perelandra became the starting point for making From Venus to Mars and Back possible.

N.B.: I read the Indonesian version of this book, and I found it rather difficult to understand. So, I suggest you to read the original version. I really love the Pepperoni Pizza parable that grafted in this book.

Indonesian Version (Visi Press, July 2009)

"What's In a Name?" William Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet)

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” - William Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet)

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" is a frequently referenced part of William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, in which Juliet seems to argue that it does not matter that Romeo is from her rival's house of Montague, that is, that he is named "Montague." The reference is often used to imply that the names of things do not affect what they really are.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_rose_by_any_other_name_would_smell_as_sweet)

In Act II, Scene II of the play, the line is said by Juliet in reference to Romeo's house, Montague which would imply that his name means nothing and they should be together.

Juliet:

O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

Romeo:

[Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?

Juliet:

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself.

Romeo:

I take thee at thy word:
Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized;
Henceforth I never will be Romeo.

I don't like Romeo and Juliet, but I love some quotes in it. Like the one above. I don't like Romeo because I think he is too coward and childish. Maybe because his age which only 17. I don't know why I review Romeo and Juliet here. This is just not the right post. Haha!!

Miss Billy

Author: Eleanor H. Porter

Format: Paperback, 136 pages

Publisher: Echo Library (October 4, 2006)

First Published: 1911

Indonesian Publisher: Orange Books (April 2011)

Rating: 2 out of 5

Synopsis:

Mr. Neilson was determined to name his first child after his boyhood chum, William Henshaw. When the baby disappointed him by being a girl, he was consoled by naming her Billy. Miss Billy, now 18, orphaned and all alone in the world, takes her lawyer's suggestion to ask her namesake to take her in. Only one problem - Mr. Henshaw did not know of her existence, and then mistakenly thinks that Billy is a boy!

Eleanor H. Potter was an early 20th century author of children's literature and novels. Her most well-known book was "Pollyanna" and its sequel, "Pollyanna Grows Up". (Summary by Maria Therese http://www.loyalbooks.com/book/Miss-Billy-Eleanor-Porter)

Indonesian Version (Orange Books, April 2011) 

Review:

There are too many male characters in the novel, but somehow, there is none of them I want to marry with. William is too old (since he is Billy's father's old friend), Bertram is too talkative, Cyril is too introvert, and Calderwell?? Well, he's just fine (from author's description: good-looking, wealth, and one of Billy's guardian angel kind of man). However, I could not find myself have an interest with him. Billy herself is too young to have a romantic relationship with one of these men. As my personal opinion, a novel cannot be classified as a romance if there is no proper male character in it.