We have heard and read the classic tales of Romeo and Juliet and Wuthering Heights. Stories which have been told for centuries and adapted to meet modern screens but I don't think I was prepared for this incredibly written mashed-up creation from Kathryn Barker.
Having finished reading Waking Romeo in less than 3 days, I can see why it was labelled the Young Adult book of the month by Dymocks for March. And let me tell you why!
I am actually gobsmacked with how the plot of this novel plays out. Time travel is the centrepiece of the novel and Barker has cleverly interwoven different moments of time and connected them through effective storytelling and foreshadowing. The storyline follows Jules (Juliet) and Ellis (Heathcliff) as they navigate through time, discovering truths about themselves, about love, those they have left behind in their past and those who are waiting for them in their future.
Each character is given a glimpse of either their past or future which entwines the plot of Waking Romeo with the events which influenced the writing of Wuthering Heights and Romeo and Juliet. I love how beautifully Barker creates a series of twists in the chapters, encouraging me to read further to have that 'Ah-ha' moment and put it altogether. And those moments were my favourite, where I had to put the book for a second and create a mental mind map to connect all the dots of what I just read.
Perfectly described as Romeo and Juliet meeting Wuthering Heights, Barker has created a literary masterpiece which surpasses the laws of physics, time and love. Waking Romeo is a refreshing take on a classic Romeo and Juliet retelling where familiar characters are given new traits and depicted in a fresh light.
With references to Shakespeare's works, pop culture and other classic literature, I wouldn't classify this as a love story between two star-struck lovers but more an anti-love story where we see Jules learn to love herself and the world around her first before she loves someone else, whilst we see Ellis forgive himself for his past so that he can find love in the future. The traditional themes of Romeo and Juliet and Wuthering heights are challenged in a manner which highlights the strength and power within the female characters along with celebrating the genuine gentleness of the male characters.
Although the novel is classified as a young adult fiction novel, I believe it should be listed as a classic alongside Wuthering Heights and Romeo and Juliet. Waking Romeo is a novel which will leave its reader bewildered by Kathryn Barker's excellent execution of a time travelling plot whilst weaving together the lives of characters from two classic favourites.
Completed on: 5th April 2021
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