When You Were Mine: The Novel That Inspired the Movie Rosaline
Book by Rebecca Serle
DETAILS
Publisher : S&S Books for Young Readers; Media Tie-In edition (October 18, 2022) Language : English Paperback : 352 pages ISBN-10 : 1665934123 ISBN-13 : 978-1665934121 Reading age : 14 years and up Item Weight : 1.08 pounds Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.88 x 8.25 inches , THE NOVEL THAT INSPIRED ROSALINE —NOW A HULU MOVIE From the New York Times bestselling author of One Italian Summer and In Five Years comes an intensely romantic modern recounting of the greatest love story ever told—narrated by the girl Romeo was supposed to love. What’s in a name, Shakespeare? I’ll tell you: everything. Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her—and when he finally does, it’s perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Juliet, who used to be Rose’s best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit wild...and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn’t even stand a chance. Rose is devastated over losing Rob to Juliet. This is not how the story was supposed to go. And when rumors start swirling about Juliet’s instability, her neediness, and her threats of suicide, Rose starts to fear not only for Rob’s heart, but also for his life. Because Shakespeare may have gotten the story wrong, but we all still know how it ends. Read more
REVIEW
Author Rebecca Serle does her best in the young adult tale of "When You Were Mine" to update the classic Shakespearian romance of Romeo and Juliet from the perspective of the jilted Rosaline, the one-time short-term object of Romeo's affections. Whether or not she succeeds or not depends upon your relationship with the story and your feelings about the original pair of tragic lovers. For me, Romeo and Juliet were epitomized in the Franco Zeffirelli film Romeo and Juliet as the quintessential young lovers as depicted by Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting. Both actors were still teenagers when they filmed this elaborate production which included a very young Michael York in the role of Tybalt and featured a glimpse at the character of Rosaline, something that no other director included in their cinematic versions of the tragedy. Inasmuch as my ideal Juliet is the youthful dark-haired beauty with the soulful petulance of the lovely Olivia Hussey, it was difficult for me to relate to the spoiled, spiteful and very blonde Juliet of Serle's modern adaptation. In addition, the instant magnetism between Juliet and her Romeo as captured in the Zeffirelli film's Capulet masked ball sequence where Romeo compares Juliet's hand to a shrine and dares to steal a kiss with much witty impudence, does not stand out in this offering as an example of pure and untainted young love. Understandably, the reader is not privy to the goings-on between the Rob and Juliet of the book, but as the vantage point is that of Rosie--Rosaline, there is nothing to go on other than her shock that her would-be boyfriend has dumped her for someone else and this in the span of an evening. Serle makes it clear that there is bad history between Rosaline and her first cousin, Juliet. As young children, they fell out because of some unknown issue between their respective parents. When Juliet and her kin return to the town where Rosaline lives, the reader knows from the start that Juliet is intent on wrecking havoc and wonders if her fascination with Rob is not just a way to rub Rosaline the wrong way. And that she does and here is where Serle shines. Her depiction of Rosaline as a wilted teen whose self-esteem has been chopped to shreds and must continually witness her one-time boyfriend being amorous with another girl pretty much hits the mark with much realistic angst and all around gnashing of teeth. In the same respect, Serle does an adequate job of illustrating the interplay of Rosaline with her best friends. Each of the girls, Charley, Olivia and Rosaline are individuals in their own right and Serle does them justice, giving the reader a glimpse into the hopes and aspirations of young girls who are seniors in high school and about to embark on their college journeys. On the negative side, there is much talk in which each girl indulges with regard to having sex with their respective boyfriends. Their opinions regarding this seem a bit nonchalant and as "When You Were Mine" is considered a young adult selection, this rather shoulder shrugging treatment of events that require commitment and maturity should perhaps be commented upon by the wise parent who can use the issues laid out in this book as an opening to serious discussion. This reviewer never felt that there was really any chemistry between Rob and Rosaline even though much speculation between the BFFs compounded by the obvious fact that Rob, as a hot male, was quite the catch could make a rational argument to a possible high school/college sweethearts scenario that could be related to future grandchildren. Nonetheless, love isn't always rational--not the Romeo and Juliet kind and neither Rob and Rosaline or Rob and Juliet really depict this crazily happy state. What Serle does well is to create a great rebound situation for Rosaline as she gives music prodigy Len a second look. All the heat, butterflies and hearts can be applied to this relationship. And lucky for Rosaline, Len has a good head on his shoulders and doesn't want or need a 'second best' status associated with his feeling for her. Bottom line? "When You Were Mine" by Rebecca Serle would have been better titled simply "Rosaline." Main character Rob/Romeo may have toyed with hooking up with this high school senior Rosaline, but the absence of chemistry between these two best friends/ neighbors seems silly especially as the reader understands that he was never hers in that fun and carefree romantic sense. Parents beware that there is much discussion of sexual activity as being normal and healthy in a high school setting for teenagers. As this novel does follow the main gist of the Romeo and Juliet tragedy, it does include death, suicide speculation and other topics that attempt to explain the feud between Juliet's and Romeo's respective families even if the scenarios presented are a bit lame. Preteens will enjoy the happy ending despite all the star-crossed lovers angst and the anticipation of a feature length film on this subject (don't know if it is based on this novel) starring the very pretty Lily Collins. Recommended. Diana Faillace Von Behren "reneofc"
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