Juliet Summary & Key Insights

Anne Fortier's "Juliet" weaves a captivating tale centered around a modern-day woman's unexpected connection to Shakespeare's iconic heroine. The story begins with a young, struggling American artist, Juliet Ashton, who inherits her grandmother's Vermont estate. Unbeknownst to Juliet, the property holds a secret—a hidden room containing a trove of letters, revealing a compelling untold story about a woman named Juliet Capulet, purportedly Shakespeare's inspiration for his most famous character.

These letters, meticulously preserved, unveil a very different Juliet than the one depicted in the play. This Juliet is not the naive, passive teenager of popular imagination, but a shrewd, independent young woman who challenges societal expectations and defies her family's wishes. Her passionate, clandestine love affair with a young man from a rival family adds another layer of complexity to her already rebellious spirit. The letters detail her strength, her intelligence, and her own struggle to shape her destiny within the constricting confines of 16th-century Verona.

Juliet Ashton, grappling with her own personal and professional uncertainties, becomes utterly engrossed in deciphering the letters and piecing together the life of her namesake. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers not only the truth about the historical Juliet but also hidden details about her own family's past, including a connection to Verona that stretches back centuries. The letters become a mirror, reflecting both Juliet's own life choices and the choices faced by her ancestor.

The novel's central plot revolves around Juliet Ashton's quest to understand her namesake's life and subsequently to integrate the historical Juliet's story into a contemporary context. She gradually transforms from a self-doubting artist into a determined historian, dedicated to bringing the truth to light. The narrative cleverly interweaves the past and present, moving between Juliet Ashton's struggles in Vermont and the vibrant, yet restrictive, world of Shakespearean Verona.

Throughout the novel, the overarching themes explore the enduring power of love, the limitations of societal expectations imposed upon women, the importance of self-discovery, and the cyclical nature of history. Fortier contrasts the experiences of both Juliets, highlighting the similarities and differences in their lives across centuries. Both women grapple with societal pressures, familial expectations, and the complexities of love, showcasing the timeless relevance of Shakespeare's themes. The novel ultimately celebrates female agency and the strength found in challenging the status quo, creating a powerful and moving narrative that resonates with readers long after the final page is turned.