Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - Lady Macbeth

"Most men do not need a reason, either. Only an opportunity."

A dark and gritty, atmospheric tale that hits deep.
If you're a woman who has fallen victim to the mistreatment from men, I think there will be a lot of understanding of this story. Let it be a reminder though, that we are much stronger than we're made to think. I wish we all could have compulsion powers to save ourselves...

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chloeburton's review against another edition

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dark

2.5

This was a big let down for me. I wish it was just separated from Macbeth entirely or just…a different story. It just doesn’t have any true semblance of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. There’s a lot of issues I have with this but I don’t want to write an essay. There’s a lot here I really like though, too. I really love Ava Reid’s prose. The way she writes about the impact of trauma on the mind is truly remarkable. I really enjoy her writing style. I plan on trying one of the other books.

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janeywaneyb's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A retelling of the Scottish Play but this time it's about The Lady. Reid has taken a well-known tragedy and weaved it into a historic feminist tale. Set in the 11th Century, Reid takes you to the wilds of Scotland where Lady Macbeth is a new bride to a brooding Scottish lord. With undertones of magic and lore Reid retells the story of Macbeth's downfall. Whilst it was a good read and the historic elements really bought the story to life, I feel Reid missed a trick by not weaving some of the Bard's infamous prose into this tale, only the 3 witches get that chance without fire burn and caldron bubble. Missing the Shakespearean language lessens the rating for me, I was always turning the page hoping to read "Out, damned spot; out, I say!—One, two: why then, ’tis time to do’t. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie, a soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call ourpower to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?"

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agw622's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is intense. I love how it does make Lady Macbeth much more sympathetic than the play makes her. However, she is bound to her fate, and it does get dark. Personally, I do not think it's as strong of a feminist reclaiming of her charecter as some suggest. While I think she is more her own person, she is very much limited in what she does. Also make sure to check trigger warnings

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ashlynregan's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Listen…I love a Shakespeare retelling, but this was NOT IT. Lady M is made out to be a scared little girl most of this novel, and she only come out of her shell at the end when her lover saves her. Don’t go into this expecting Shakespeare, it reads more YA.

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emblazedwords's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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