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Hello, my name is Kelly and I welcome you to the Bookend Diaries book blog. I created this blog to share my own reviews of existing and new books, to discuss with other readers what we’re currently reading, update you on my book club picks, and of course, to ultimately support the work of the authors we all enjoy. I am addicted to reading and I thought this would be a great way to reach out to other readers who are as obsessed with books as I am.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Letters to Juliet by Lise Friedman, Ceil Friedman



***Purchased through Barnes and Noble
Synopsis

The enduring legend of Shakespeare’s pair of star-crossed lovers draws millions of visitors to Verona, Italy, each year. But that is just part of the story. Every day, letters, frequently addressed simply, “Juliet, Verona,” arrive in the city. They come by the truckload, in almost every language imaginable, written by romantics seeking Juliet’s counsel. Most of the missives talk of love, of course —love found and love lost, love sought and love remembered. And, amazingly, not one letter goes unanswered.

Letters to Juliet tells the story of these letters and the volunteers who have been writing responses for more than seven decades —volunteers who first acted privately, and who are now sanctioned by the city of Verona as part of the Juliet Club. Featuring more than seventy-five heartfelt letters, this poetic book retraces the history behind Shakespeare’s tale and tours the monuments that have fueled the world's enchantment with Juliet and her Romeo.

My Review Comments:

I saw the movie that this book was based on and it is nothing like the book. This book takes you into the part of the movie that you wanted to explore the most of, which is the Club Di Giuletta, the room with Juliet’s Secretaries and how they came to be. It is their story that is so engaging to me. The letters that are sprinkled throughout the book were so precious and filled with little gems of treasures. I couldn’t wait to read them to discover what the responses would be from Juliet’s Secretaries.

A group of women over the span of eight decades has voluntarily answered each of these letters personally. They are citizens of Verona that have assumed the role of "Secretaries of Juliet", replying to the letters. This book enhances the fairytale like quality of everything considered romantic in Romeo and Juliet. Throughout the book there are images of all the sites in Verona, Italy that are dedicated to the romance of the famous couple. It goes from the famous balcony to the courtyard where there is a statue of young Juliet, and continues to her tomb. It also shows you Romeo’s home and a statue that was erected for him as well and, the courtyard where they were married. It is all beautifully wrapped up in the countryside of Italy. What a wonderful escape!

In the book there is a beautiful souvenir pin that was designed by Ettore Solimani Inscribed with the phrase Se ami credi in Giuletta (If you love, believe in Juliet) which I think says it all.

Have a love issue you'd like to share with Juliet? Send your letter to:

Club di Giulietta - The Juliet Club
via Galilei 3 - 37100 Verona, Italia
Tel: (+39) 045 533115
You can also e-mail your letter to info@julietclub.com

37 comments:

  1. I saw this movie as well and I just thought, ehhhh. Based on your review, I may get a copy of this book.....

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  2. I didn't realize the movie was based on a book - I am going to have to read the book first and then watch the movie - good thing for on-demand!!!

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  3. I have yet to see the movie and I have yet to read the book but I've been wanting to do both and now I know that to get the full effect seeing and reading both would be fantastic. I had no idea there was a novel out there about it!

    Thank you for sharing!!!

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  4. Aww! I figured the movie was based on a book, but I hadn't really looked into it. It makes it so much better that it's actually a real club! This is SO sweet!

    I'm stopping by on the Hop & I'm so glad I found your site!

    Casey
    The Bookish Type

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  5. I really want to read this before seeing the movie...it sounds romantic and full of Europe!

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  6. Wow, I didn't know the movie was based on a book. I should have known. I'm definitely going to have to read this. I really enjoyed the movie.

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  7. I enjoyed this review! I haven't seen the movie yet but plan to.

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  8. Hopping by. Happy Friday. Following you!
    Kathy @
    I Am A Reader

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  9. Just hopping by...love the sound of this book, which I must read!

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  10. Hey! I'm your newest follower! I love your blog, we read a lot of the same things. I primarily read fiction of all, kids lit (with my daughters), women's lit (chick-lit) but my blog has a little of everything else too! hop on by if you get time!
    http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.com

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  11. I have yet to see the movie, but some friends recommended it highly. I suppose my wife and I will be going, or getting the DVD to rent.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog this morning.
    Jon

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  12. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Which did you prefer: the book or movie?

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  13. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I loved this movie and I didn't know there was a book! Thanks for the information. :)

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  14. This book sounds lovely! I haven't seen the movie yet, but it sounds like I might want to skip the movie and read the book instead. :)

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  15. Thanks for dropping by my blog! Looks like you review a nice electic mix of books. Also, just noticed that there seems to be a flood of books about Romeo & Juliet at the moment!

    Danya
    A Tapestry of Words

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  16. You have an absolutely lovely blog! I love what you're doing here. Regards.

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  17. Fantastic blog! I am your newest follower, and I look forward to reading your many reviews. Maybe I'll review that many books one day!!

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  18. I didn't know there was an actual book about the Letters! Sounds cute, and I really liked the movie, anyway.

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  19. I had no idea the movie was based on a book, but I'm glad I know now. This is part of the reason that I am anti books into movies in general, because had I watched the movie I would have not had anything to do with the book. And even though I didn't watch the movie and, had I not read your book, I would not have read the book because I would have this image of the movie in my head. Anyway, you followed my blog today and I'm so glad that I stopped by to return the favor. Your blog is beautiful! I'll be back, don't you worry.

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  20. Thanks for your visit! The film seems to be great!
    Have a nice weekend:)

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  21. Thanks for hopping by my blog :) This is a great review!

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  22. I definitely rolled my eyes at this book based on the movie previews, but your review has totally changed my mind!

    Thank you for stopping by my blog the other day; I'm totally following now, because I'm enjoying your reviews so far!

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  23. Thank you very much for stopping by my blog, :) "Letters to Juliet" sounds sweet; what a difference volunteers can make! I think I'd read "Letters" for the beauty of that alone.

    Have a lovely weekend!

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  24. Hi, I'm a new follower from the blog hop. I loved this movie. I was also hoping that it had been based on a book. I'm so glad you did this review. I wanted more info on The Juliet Club.

    Happy Reading,
    Jules
    http://onebookshy.blogspot.com

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  25. Hia. This sounds much better than the film sounds. Adding it to the wishlist

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  26. I actually loved the movie, but you are correct, I wondered how these women became the voice for these letters that were left at the wall. It was such a heart rending moment when the letter were being answered and I thought to myself what a wonderful way to help fulfill someones life, and and exciting way to get answers to the questions often asked.
    I would love to read the book, thank you for sharing.
    http://www.wrighton-time.blogspot.com

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  27. Hi! I've passed on a little blog award to you. Check out my post for today and you'll see it ;-) http://nocturnalreadings.blogspot.com

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  28. Thanks for the comment on my blog. =)

    I thought the movie was quite cute, but I saw this book in Walmart and I really wanted to pick it up. Definitely a very interesting topic... I might see if my library has it, because it sounds lovely.

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  29. Sounds interesting. I haven't seen the movie... It looked kind of cheesy to me, but I would be very interested in reading the stories of the women who reply to these 'Dear Juliet' letters!

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  30. Thanks for hopping by! I really want to read the book now after your review. I saw the movie and liked it.

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  31. Sounds like a fun book!

    Just stopping by via the Hop.

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  32. An award for you: http://emeraldfiresbookmark.blogspot.com/2010/09/one-lovely-blog-award.html

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  33. Hi there! Bewitched Bookworms has given you an award!!!! http://www.bewitchedbookworms.com/2010/09/iiiiiiiiiiits-award-time.html

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  34. Just stopping by for the Blog Hop. I'm a follower. I've got some great giveaways this week. Hope you'll stop by to visit.
    ~Inspired Kathy
    I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
    Giveaway Links:
    Over The Moon by Diane Daniels.
    The Aristobrats by Jennifer Solow.
    The Maze Runner by James Dashner.

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  35. Stopping by on the Hop! I am really liking the blog design.
    The review of this book is really well-written. I'm going to see if I can snag this book.
    e-Volving Books

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  36. Hey - happy Friday! There's an award for you over at Kate's Library.

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  37. I haven't seen the movie, but I soooo want too. And I didn't know there was a book also. Hmmmm...I think I need to get both ASAP!

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