Saving Juliet: 02/09/24

Saving Juliet by Suzanne Selfors (2008) is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet with similar vibes to the "Naked Montague" episode of Man from Atlantis (1/6/1977). I'll be forthright and admit it was this connection that drew me to the book because while I'm not a fan of the play, I do like the adaptations, especially the wackier ones.

Mimi is the youngest of a once powerful acting family. Her mother desperate to keep the tradition alive and to keep their Broadway theater open, has pushed Mimi into an acting career she hates. She hates it to the point of vomiting on stage. Her swan song is to play Juliet to a young crooner's Romeo.

After a panic attack and fight before the start of her last performance, Mimi is transported to Verona. Not actual Verona, but a version that is part Shakespeare and part her own imagination. To make matters worse, her co-star has been transported too.

The crux of the novel is how to save Juliet — both Mimi who has been playing Juliet, and the flesh and blood Juliet now living in this magical Verona. Troy, her costar, has strong opinions about sticking with the script. Mimi, though, wants something more for Juliet. If fictional Juliet can't get a rewrite, how will she ever get her own life on the course she wants for herself?

My one complaint is that the novel seems much too front loaded with the bulk of the story being Act I. While Romeo doesn't end up being all that important to the plot by reworking the initial scenes the pacing ends up being off.

The novel with its unexpected travel to Verona sits on the Road Narrative Spectrum. As Mimi and Troy end up a couple by the end, they count as traveling couple (33). Their destination is an unmappable Verona, or a utopia (FF). Their route there is the Blue Highway (33), or more precisely the sidewalk / door by the theater.

Four stars

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