“The past is a stubborn thing. It does not easily let go of its secrets.”
— Julie's initial investigations into her family's history and the mystery surrounding her ancestor, Giulietta.
Archivist's Choice
Juliet
Anne Fortier (2010)
Genre
Historical Fiction / Mystery / Romance
Reading Time
520 min
Key Themes
See below
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A young woman inherits a key that reveals her link to Shakespeare's Juliet, pulling her into an ancient curse and a hunt for hidden treasure in Siena, where past and present of star-crossed lovers dangerously meet.
Synopsis
Twenty-five-year-old Julie Jacobs is sad after her aunt Rose's death, especially when her twin sister inherits everything. Julie receives only a key her mother carried, for a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy. This key sends Julie on a journey into her ancestor Giulietta Tolomei's past.
In 1340, Giulietta, after her parents' murder, is sent to Siena where she meets Romeo. Their love story inspires generations, ending in Shakespeare's play. As Julie explores Romeo and Giulietta's history and the treasure they supposedly left, she uncovers old conflicts and personal betrayals, fearing the curse "A plague on both your houses!" still affects their descendants. Julie meets Alessandro, a Salimbeni descendant, and learns Giulietta's true fate and the betrayal that shaped her story. The 'Romeo' figure is revealed, leading to a confrontation over the treasure. Julie finds peace and a new start, realizing her own fate is tied to literature's greatest lovers, and that love can last through time.
Reading time
520 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Romantic, Mysterious, Atmospheric, Sweeping
✓ Read this if...
You love historical mysteries, epic romances, and retellings that delve into the 'true' story behind a classic tale, especially if you enjoy a mix of past and present narratives.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer strictly historical accounts without modern-day connections, or if you dislike stories with a strong sense of fated romance and potential melodrama.
Plot Summary
A Mysterious Inheritance and an Italian Key
Julie Jacobs, a 25-year-old American in Denmark, grieves her Aunt Rose's sudden death. Her twin sister, Janice, inherits most of Rose's estate, but Julie receives only a key and a letter. The letter tells her to go to Siena, Italy, and find a safety deposit box. This key belonged to her mother, Isabella, who died when Julie was a baby. Julie, feeling overlooked by Janice and wanting purpose, decides to follow the instructions, hoping to learn about her family's past and her mother's death. This trip starts her involvement with a very old family story.
Arrival in Siena and the Tolomei Legacy
In Siena, Julie is struck by the city's beauty and history. She uses the key to open a safety deposit box, which holds not treasure, but old documents and a diary. Through these, Julie learns her full name is Giulietta Tolomei, connecting her to the legendary Giulietta of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet.' She discovers her family, the Tolomei, are one of Siena's oldest and most powerful, involved in a feud with the Salimbeni family, Romeo's descendants. This discovery disturbs Julie, as she realizes her family history is more complex and dramatic than she thought.
Meeting Alessandro and the Salimbeni
While exploring Siena and researching her family, Julie meets Alessandro Baroncini, a charming local. She soon learns Alessandro is a direct descendant of the Salimbeni family, the historical rivals of her Tolomei ancestors. Despite the old animosity, they are drawn to each other, like their famous predecessors. Alessandro, at first cautious, becomes a guide and ally in Julie's search. Together, they begin to piece together the true, often violent, history of Giulietta Tolomei and Romeo Salimbeni, finding that the famous play is a romanticized version of a much darker reality, full of political plots and brutal fights.
Giulietta's Story Unfolds (Past Narrative)
The novel often shifts to Giulietta Tolomei's story in 1340 Siena. After her family is killed by the Salimbeni, young Giulietta is secretly brought to Siena and raised by the Tolomei. She meets the handsome Romeo Salimbeni, and despite their families' deadly feud, they fall in love. Their secret romance grows amidst political unrest, plague, and constant danger. This historical part details their secret meetings, their vows, and desperate attempts to hide their love from their warring families, leading to the tragic events that would inspire Shakespeare.
The Search for the Tolomei Treasure
Julie learns of a 'Tolomei treasure,' supposedly left by the original Giulietta. This treasure is not just gold, but documents and items that could reveal the true history of the feud and perhaps end the ongoing hostilities between the families. Julie, with Alessandro's help, goes on a dangerous hunt through Siena's old churches, catacombs, and hidden paths. Their search is risky, as other descendants from both families, especially those with bad intentions, also want the treasure, believing it holds great power or wealth.
Threats and Ancient Enemies Resurface
As Julie and Alessandro look deeper into the past, they become targets of people who want to keep the secrets of the Tolomei and Salimbeni feud hidden. Mysterious accidents, threats, and direct confrontations suggest the curse of 'A plague on both your houses' might still be active. Julie realizes that the old animosities haven't died, but have simply changed. She suspects some of her own relatives, or those connected to the Salimbeni, are trying to stop her, fearing the truth will disrupt their power or expose their ancestors' crimes. This danger strengthens her bond with Alessandro.
Unveiling the Truth of Giulietta's Fate
The historical chapters reveal what truly happened to Giulietta and Romeo. Unlike Shakespeare's version, their story is more complex and less simply tragic. Giulietta, pregnant with Romeo's child, fakes her death to escape an arranged marriage and the violent feud. Romeo, believing her dead, takes his own life. However, Giulietta survives and dedicates her life to protecting their child and creating a legacy that would one day bring peace. This discovery changes Julie's understanding of her ancestors and their love, adding sacrifice and strength to the legendary tale.
The Betrayal and the Reveal of the 'Romeo'
Julie uncovers a betrayal within her own family. Her aunt, Rose, had tried to protect her, and her twin sister, Janice, has been manipulated by a powerful and dangerous person. This person, who has been planning things behind the scenes, reveals himself to be a direct descendant of the original Romeo and a modern 'Romeo' figure, named Lorenzo. Lorenzo, obsessed with the legacy and the treasure, has used the feud to gain power. He sees Julie as a way to get what he wants, either to claim the treasure or to fulfill a twisted version of the old prophecy.
The Confrontation and the Treasure's True Nature
The story's peak is when Julie confronts Lorenzo, who has captured Janice and plans to use her to force Julie's hand. Alessandro arrives, leading to a tense standoff where the 'treasure' is revealed. It is not gold, but historical documents, letters, and a will from the original Giulietta, meant to reconcile the families and ensure a peaceful future for her descendants. Julie, using her intelligence and what she learned, outwits Lorenzo. The confrontation exposes Lorenzo's evil and leads to his defeat, while also making Julie and Alessandro's bond stronger.
Reconciliation and a New Beginning
With Lorenzo defeated and the truth known, the old feud begins to fade. Julie and Janice reconcile, understanding the pressures and manipulations they both faced. Julie decides to embrace her heritage and the spirit of the original Giulietta, choosing to stay in Siena with Alessandro. She commits to using the unearthed historical documents to tell her ancestors' true story, hoping to bring understanding and peace between the families. She finds love, a sense of belonging, and purpose, finally stepping out of her twin's shadow and making her own way.
Principal Figures
Julie Jacobs / Giulietta Tolomei
The Protagonist
Julie transforms from an insecure woman seeking answers into a strong, self-assured individual who embraces her legacy and finds her true identity and purpose.
Alessandro Baroncini
The Supporting / Love Interest
Alessandro evolves from a wary local into a committed partner, helping to reconcile the historical feud and build a new future with Julie.
Giulietta Tolomei (Historical)
The Historical Protagonist / Ancestor
Giulietta transforms from a tragic lover into a resilient survivor and a visionary who lays the groundwork for future reconciliation.
Romeo Salimbeni (Historical)
The Historical Supporting / Ancestor
Romeo remains a tragic figure, his love and death serving as a powerful catalyst for Giulietta's subsequent actions and the enduring legend.
Janice Jacobs
The Supporting
Janice moves from being a seemingly antagonistic sister to a victim of manipulation, ultimately reconciling with Julie and supporting her.
Aunt Rose
The Supporting / Mentioned
Her legacy guides Julie's journey, proving her enduring love and wisdom.
Lorenzo
The Antagonist
Lorenzo's pursuit of power and control leads to his ultimate downfall, breaking the cycle of the ancient feud.
The Nurse (Historical)
The Supporting
The Nurse remains a steadfast figure, ensuring Giulietta's survival and the continuation of her line.
Themes & Insights
The Enduring Power of Legacy and Identity
The novel explores how family history, names, and old actions shape a person's identity and future. Julie's journey is about finding her family's past, which is literally in her name, Giulietta. She deals with the weight of her ancestors' choices and the expectations of being a 'Tolomei.' The historical story shows Giulietta Tolomei actively creating a legacy for her child, ensuring her line's survival and a chance for future peace. Both women, centuries apart, are defined by their connection to the legendary story, making them either follow its path or create their own.
““What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.””
Love Against All Odds
At its heart, the novel shows how love can overcome social barriers, old feuds, and even time. Both the historical Giulietta and Romeo, and modern Julie and Alessandro, fall in love despite their families' rivalry. Their relationships are dangerous and forbidden, forcing them to make hard choices and face much opposition. The novel suggests that true love, whether it leads to tragedy or a new beginning, can break cycles of hatred and offer hope for peace, even after centuries of animosity.
““A plague o' both your houses! They have made worms' meat of me.””
Reinterpreting History and Truth
A main theme is that history, especially famous stories, can be changed, romanticized, or made up over time. Julie's goal is to find the 'true' story of Giulietta and Romeo, showing that Shakespeare's play, while beautiful, leaves out important details and changes outcomes. The novel highlights how stories are shaped by those who tell them and by political or social reasons. By finding the original documents, Julie reclaims a more complex and empowering truth about her ancestors, showing that history is not fixed but an evolving view of the past.
““The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.””
The Cycle of Violence and Revenge
The novel clearly shows the destructive nature of family feuds and how hard it is to break cycles of violence and revenge. The Tolomei and Salimbeni families are stuck in a centuries-old conflict, fueled by past killings and betrayals. This animosity continues into the present, seen in threats against Julie and the schemes of characters like Lorenzo. The 'curse' on both houses is not supernatural but a human tendency towards revenge. The goal of both the historical Giulietta and modern Julie is to end this cycle, proving that forgiveness and understanding can overcome deep-seated hatred.
““These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which, as they kiss, consume.””
Sisterhood and Self-Discovery
Julie's initial insecurity comes partly from living in her twin sister Janice's shadow. The novel explores the unique aspects of twin relationships, including competition, perceived favoritism, and the struggle to create individual identities. Julie's trip to Siena is also a journey of self-discovery, allowing her to step out of Janice's shadow and define herself. The eventual reconciliation between the sisters shows their lasting bond despite misunderstandings and outside manipulations, emphasizing that true sisterhood can overcome problems.
““There is no bond on earth like that of a sister.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Dual Narrative Structure
Alternating chapters between the present-day and 14th-century Siena.
The novel employs a dual narrative, interweaving Julie Jacobs's modern-day quest with the historical account of Giulietta Tolomei in 1340 Siena. This structure allows for a rich exploration of parallels and contrasts between the two time periods, building suspense as Julie uncovers truths that are simultaneously revealed in the past narrative. It deepens the reader's understanding of the historical context and the enduring impact of the feud, while also highlighting how Julie's present actions are influenced by her ancestors' past. This device directly connects the legacy to the present-day mystery.
The Mysterious Inheritance / Scavenger Hunt
A cryptic key and a series of clues lead the protagonist on a quest.
Julie's journey is initiated by a mysterious key and a letter from her deceased Aunt Rose, which leads her to Siena and a safety deposit box. This sets off a classic scavenger hunt narrative, where Julie must decipher clues, explore historical locations, and piece together fragments of information to find the 'treasure' – which turns out to be not material wealth, but historical truth. This device propels the plot forward, creating a sense of adventure and discovery while also immersing the reader in the historical and geographical details of Siena.
The 'Curse' of the Feud
The lingering threat of the ancient family feud and its perceived supernatural influence.
The 'curse' — 'A plague on both your houses!' — serves as a powerful plot device, representing the enduring psychological and physical danger of the ancient Tolomei and Salimbeni feud. While not literally supernatural, the belief in the curse creates a palpable sense of dread and explains the modern-day hostilities and threats against Julie. It motivates characters like Lorenzo and provides a constant source of conflict, emphasizing that historical grievances can continue to haunt and endanger descendants centuries later, until actively broken.
The Reinterpretation of a Classic Tale
Using a famous literary work as a foundation to create a new, historically-grounded narrative.
The novel directly engages with Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet,' using the universally recognized story as its starting point but then subverting and reinterpreting it. This device immediately draws readers in with a familiar premise, only to then reveal a much more complex and historically plausible version of events. By showing how the legend diverged from reality, the author explores themes of truth, myth-making, and the impact of narrative on history, adding depth and intrigue to the well-known tragedy.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Sometimes, the greatest truths are hidden in the oldest stories.”
— Julie reflecting on the oral traditions and legends of Siena that might hold clues to the real Juliet.
“Love, like a dagger, can be both beautiful and deadly.”
— A reflection on the passionate and often violent history of the Capuleti and Montecchi families.
“To truly understand the present, one must first confront the ghosts of the past.”
— Julie's growing realization that her own life is entangled with the ancient feud.
“There are some things that time cannot erase, only bury deeper.”
— Julie uncovering long-forgotten documents and hidden passages related to the original Juliet's story.
“Fate, it seems, has a peculiar way of repeating itself.”
— Julie finding parallels between her own experiences and those of Giulietta.
“A name, a legend, a curse – sometimes they are all one and the same.”
— The weight of the 'Capuleti' name and the associated curse on Julie's family.
“The heart, even across centuries, can recognize its own.”
— Julie's emotional connection to the story and plight of her ancestress.
“Siena breathes history, and sometimes, history bites.”
— The vivid and sometimes dangerous atmosphere of Siena as Julie delves deeper into its past.
“Not all stories have happy endings, but all endings have a story.”
— A contemplation on the tragic nature of the original Romeo and Juliet tale and its many interpretations.
“The truth is rarely simple, and never without cost.”
— Julie facing obstacles and dangers as she gets closer to the real events of the past.
“Sometimes, to break a curse, one must first understand its origins.”
— Julie's motivation to unravel the mystery to free her family from the perceived curse.
“Even the most beautiful roses have thorns, and the sweetest love can draw blood.”
— A metaphor for the passionate but dangerous relationships and feuds depicted in the book.
“The past is not dead; it is not even past. It is merely waiting to be rediscovered.”
— Julie's journey through Siena, feeling the tangible presence of history all around her.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
Julie must uncover the true story of her ancestor Giulietta Tolomei and Romeo, specifically what happened after their supposed deaths and the nature of the treasure they allegedly left behind. This involves deciphering ancient clues and navigating the enduring feuds between their descendants.
About the author
Anne Fortier is a French author known for her captivating historical fiction novels. Her most notable work, "Juliet," is a bestselling thriller that reimagines Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" in a contemporary setting, weaving together mystery, romance, and family secrets. Fortier's writing is celebrated for its intricate plots and compelling character development.
