Overview

Set in France & Italy during the spiralling age of the early Renaissance, the CAPULET series is the passionate predecessor to the greatest love story of all time, a genesis tale of how Romeo & Juliet's families came to be at each other's throats. In 1434 two innocent children, Armand & Ilaria, are promised at birth. Despite the rising influence of writers who now advocate couples should marry for love, no one expects this pair to grow to love each other. All expect them to marry and lead their faction - the warrior House of Capulet. And so, drawn together by fate and familial design while France remains on a knife edge with their English enemies, they must learn to survive the glamorous but ruthless world of ambition, passion and power, they're destined to navigate together. CAPULET is their sprawling tale, often humorous, elegant and heartfelt, sometimes gritty, brutal and relentless, while Ilaria's predilection to experience premonitions and to cross the path of foresighted mystics, creates expectations that lead them on to a cascade of heart-stopping moments. Book 1 - FATE begins in Lyon with the events that lead to the couple's betrothal. The saga completes in Book 6 - FOLLY on a day when the sweeping events of their deadly feud with Romeo's faction cause the Capulet reins of power to be handed to Armand's brother (Juliet's father). At that moment, Armand and Ilaria's daughter Rosaline is eight years old. Eight years later, two months before her cousin Juliet turns fourteen, Rosaline will meet Romeo first and their tragic sequel will be set in motion. But CAPULET is also the story of how a third mighty faction, the House of Paris, led by a fiery young Duchess, joins in their rivalry. She swears their loyalty to one side but adds fresh powder to the rivalry which threatens to ignite in both directions at once. Appetites for ambition abound in CAPULET yet so does a thirst for revenge. The burning question among all three factions is, who will survive them? Their epic tale is told by Armand and Ilaria's longest serving employee, a sharp-tongued, roguish musician. Marcel Poquelin finds himself in their company by chance, as both begin their final training for adulthood. At first the wily entertainer has little time or respect for either one, considering Armand no more than an elite muscular oaf and Ilaria a pampered coquette. Nor is he responsible to either one directly, intent on his own plan to return from whence he came to Paris, far from their indolent company, and make a mark for himself. But you know what the ancients say? Men and women make ambitious plans just so fate can play havoc with them.

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9781763837928

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Reviews

'I thoroughly enjoyed the journey of Book 1 - Fate. I've already ordered Book 2 - Verona and can't wait to see how the series unfolds.' Samantha M.I'm already reading Book 3 of CAPULET. I find Marcus Hogan's style to be poetic and fluid, the actions and characters drew me into their story immediately. I can easily imagine the scenes in every chapter translating to the screen. I enjoyed the contrast of characters in Book 1, the emotions of a young Ilaria in love, the responsibilities of Armand, destined for war with great familial expectations, and the bold cheeky 'Fool' Marcel who narrates their journey. I particularly like the sense of intrigue woven in with Ilaria's dark premonitions and unexpected encounters with mystics. This is a drama-filled read, full of wonderful dialogue which I would highly recommend to any reader. I feel men and women would both enjoy it.Cassandra A. What a ripping read so far. I had little expectation diving into Book 1 but was greatly surprised and am onto Book 3. It's funny and adventurous. Marcel is a hoot. And the scenes leap to life like it was playing on a big screen. The language is stylised but easy to read and follow, not like trying to handle Shakespeare in High School at all. My thumbs are up for Books 1 2 and 3. Can't wait for 4. Gary H.

Author Information

I conceived this project in Boston during the summer of '92 while producing my first Shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet). It was staged at the Huntington Theatre Studio and sold out before we opened. That was when the notion of a prequel was born that would reveal how the famous families came to be at each other's throats, and how the associations between so many characters were first formed. The full story frame of Capulet (6 books) was written over 4 years writing 7 days a week 7 hours a day with just a few exceptions.For the trivial record, my first experience with Shakespeare was as a punishment in my last year of high school. I was given a detention for fighting (a bully was harassing a friend and though I'm no hero I intervened). The English Mistress who caught us made me memorise the 'quality of mercy' monologue from The Merchant of Venice. It had to be word perfect to avoid another stay. She told me it wasn't word perfect. But she said I was 'good' and would let me off if I agreed to audition for the play. I did. Somehow I managed to get the lead.That led me to a BA in Drama at the University of Queensland. UQ led me to a BFA in Acting at Cornish College in the USA. That led to specialised study at the National Shakespeare Conservatory in NY (closed after 9/11) and finally an MFA scholarship to study Directing at Boston University. Fast forward 25 years. I began this project in earnest during the last few months of the pandemic.I hope their tale moves you. I found it very moving to write.Marcus Hogan

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