Natasha Solomons: Fair Rosaline – a blistering untelling of Romeo & Juliet

The greatest love story of all time was a lie…

Romeo Montague is handsome and charming and the first time he sees young Rosaline Capulet, who has secretly snuck into his family’s masquerade summer ball, he falls instantly in love.

At first Rosaline is unsure of Romeo’s attentions but with her father determined that she join the nunnery, Romeo offers her the chance of a different life. Gradually he convinces her that only true love could make him feel this way, that he is enraptured by her beauty. Indeed, he cannot live without her!

And so begins the story of Romeo and Rosaline. These star-crossed lovers must keep everything hidden from Rosaline’s family, at least until they are wed. But when a destitute young girl appears, claiming to be carrying Romeo’s child, Rosaline starts to doubt all that she has been told. And as whispers of more girls reach her ears, what once felt like a courtship begins to feel more like a pursuit.

As Rosaline recognises Romeo for the villain he truly is, his gaze turns suddenly towards Rosaline’s adored and beautiful cousin, thirteen-year old Juliet.

Can Rosaline save Juliet, who falls under Romeo’s spell just as quickly as she did? Or can this story only ever end one way?

The subversive, powerful untelling of Shakespeare’s best known tale. A fierce, forgotten voice: this is Rosaline’s story.

Natasha Solomons is a powerful storyteller and a brilliant speaker. She is the author of seven internationally bestselling novels, including Mr Rosenblum’s List, The Novel in the Viola (which was chosen for the Richard & Judy Book Club), and House of Gold. Her wonderful exploration of the woman behind the smile in I, Mona Lisa was the first in a series of novels that seek to turn their gaze on the often forgotten women behind the stories we think we know. She lives in Dorset with her family.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

• There will be a Q&A and book signing after the event. Copies of Natasha’s books will be available to buy on the night.
• Parking info to follow.
• Accessibility info to follow.