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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, Senior High School Librarian Title: Rosewood: A Midsummer Meet Cute Author: Sayantani Dasgupta Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2023 Good for Grades: 9-11 Genre/Type of Book: Romance/Retelling
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: No Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I have been looking for books with diverse characters, especially in the romance genre. And I liked the cover! :-) If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be: Midsummer Magic Meets Modern Day Bridgerton!
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Review:
"Rosewood" by Sayantani Dasgupta is a contemporary love story that artfully blends the works of Jane Austen and William Shakespeare. The novel revolves around two Bengali American sisters, Eila and Mallika Das, whose personalities parallel Elinor and Marianne Dashwood from Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" in a loosely based retelling! Also, could appeal to fans of Bridgerton.
After the loss of their beloved father, Eila, the responsible and practical sister, decides to gives up her dream of acting to pursue a legal career so she would be in a better place to help he mother and sister. Meanwhile, Mallika is vivacious and emotionally driven, immersing herself in Regency-era romances, particularly the Regency detective TV show "Rosewood." The story kicks off when Eila's beloved Shakespeare summer academy is canceled, replaced by a Regency camp organized by the producers of "Rosewood." To be honest, the camp is a bit over the top, I can't imagine the cost to attend a camp like this...that part did bother me at bit.
Against her better judgment, Eila reluctantly agrees to attend the camp, where she hopes to rediscover the carefree spirit she had before her father's death. There, she crosses paths with Rahul Lee, a fellow camper who shares her passion for theater and literature. Their witty connection leads Eila to explore matters of the heart, despite her initial reservations. Of course, true love never runs smooth, so a series of plot twists and turns keep the two apart!
DasGupta's story immerses readers in the Regency experience, offering insights into attire, etiquette, and history with little informational tidbits between chapters. The book actively promotes inclusivity through its diverse cast of characters. It weaves lessons about Hollywood casting norms, colorism, sexism, classism, and imperialism into the story without being preachy.
The novel is a fun romantic journey, blending South Asian/Indian pop culture, Austenian and Shakespearian references with Regency-era history. It's a delightful and timely exploration of love, self-discovery, and the bonds of sisterhood.
This book might be fun to use in a unit on classic retellings, or as a companion piece to Austen's "Sense and Sensibility." Also, lots of potential to use with any of Shakespeare's works. If there are enough contemporary fiction novels that reference Shakespeare, this could be a fun unit to engage students in as they embark on reading one of his plays. Could be fun to discuss why classics by Austen and Shakespeare are still alluded to in contemporary literature.
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