Editorial Content for Ronit & Jamil

We all know the story of Romeo and Juliet. It is a classic love story, told and retold over the centuries. Laskin takes a different look at the story of the teenage star-crossed lovers through a modern day lens with Ronit, an Israeli girl who falls in love with a Palestinian boy named Jamil. Their love is strong and free, but they are separated by a physical border and the invisible border society erected between the two communities.

"Laskin made the story [of Romeo and Juliet] unique without repeating something that has been written before. What made me truly happy was Laskin's addition of the two poems from the parents at the end."

The adaptation of Shakespeare's classic play is done quite well. I could see the nods to the romance, such as Ronit's family living higher up than Jamil's (a nod to the iconic balcony scene). Not to mention the two family members at the end who help Ronit and Jamil; they are directly related to the friar and the nurse in the original play. Even their names mimic the original play. Ronit is Romeo, and Jamil is Juliet. Of course, their genders are switched, but both names begin with the same letter as the two protagonists of Shakespeare's play. Funny, huh?

I am not a huge fan of Shakespeare, but I can definitely appreciate to his work. Laskin made the story unique without repeating something that has been written before. What made me truly happy was Laskin's addition of the two poems from the parents at the end. We rarely get any insight into the parents' views on the romance.

I did not expect the two poems to mirror each other a lot. I expected more difference between the two, but the mimicry does make sense. It places the two fathers on a level playing field. They both have rebellious children who want to love someone they should not. It is an experience the two fathers can share. Because their reactions are so similar, it makes the reader wonder 'Are these two groups truly different?' I would have liked some variety in the poems, but the reason behind making them similar make sense.

Another plus was that this book is such a quick read. It took me only an hour or so to finish. I have never read narrative poetry in a book format before, so this was a different experience. I enjoyed the experience, but I am not sure I will read more narrative poetry.

I had a major problem with the storytelling itself. The narrators are mixed up, and it is very hard to determine who was speaking, Ronit or Jamil. The two had very similar poems, and without any clues, I was lost. Some poems did use Abba or Abi, the different names the two protagonists use for their fathers, but I did not like going back to the beginning to figure out who used Abba and who used Abi. I would have preferred one poem in a different font or color or even using the narrator's name in the title. The confusion did not make it easy to read.

The book was told entirely in poetry, and, although I understand the significance, I feel that it could have been stronger in a different format. Near the end, I felt like the book could have been told in text messages, and the story would remain the same. Actually, if this book was made up of text messages, I might have been more interested. Text messages are unique, and they are important to the storyline of this book. Adding them, or even focusing the story on texts, would have enhanced the reading experience.

The detail I noticed the most was the abrupt ending. We are not told what happens. The book simply ends. I would rather have a depressing ending than no ending at all. The two could have died as in the play, but they could have survived as well. The open ending left me confused and yearning.

This book is best for someone who wants a quick read. This is a book for someone who wants to read a recap of ROMEO AND JULIET.