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md3's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The author created and presented Gruoch's world and the people she loves/encounters so vividly. Each character's humanity shone through and their strengths and flaws were examined and tested throughout the book in various scenarios. The world for women at that time, and Lady Macbeth did indeed exist, is portrayed in elegant prose which jars with the often harsh reality of their lives and complex relationships. For a woman so ambitious as Gruoch, pursuing the ultimate position of power, Queen of Alba, is a dangerous game.
I also really enjoyed the author's subtle nods to Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Some readers might find the gore and violence or references to mental illness, self harm, losing children etc. offputting or distressing.
Graphic: Death, Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, War, Child death, Murder, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Pregnancy and Sexual content
Minor: Infertility
cathy_alice's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexism, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
clairew97's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Homophobia, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Confinement, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Sexism, Ableism, Child abuse, Grief, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Rape, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Self harm, and Vomit
anapthine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Murder, Xenophobia, Sexual violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Death
Moderate: Self harm
mdking's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a superb book. An excellent blend of history and Shakespeare's fiction. Lady Macbeth's story is told with poise. Loved the Easter eggs to the play. Very much recommend!
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Death of parent, Sexual content, Death, and Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual assault
introverted_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Representation in Lady MacBethad
As a book set in medieval Scotland, representation of ethnic diversity and the queer community is not prevalent; it is a largely white heteronormative cast of characters as is deemed historically appropriate. Unfortunately I feel that the only explicitly gay character was poorly written and somewhat insensitive, relying on very stereotypical ideas on gay men. The one gay character was feminised and depicted as weak, and was emasculated because of his sexuality. I am aware that this is historically appropriate attitudes towards homosexuality, but it was still quite unfortunate that it was not just others perceptions of this character, but his entire characterisation.
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Suicide, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, and Mental illness
hcor's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can’t remember when I learned the play was based on actual people, though Shakespeare took artistic liberties. I can’t remember when I realised that Lady Macbeth isn’t named, just known by her marriage title.
As the historical Macbeth and Gruoch lived in the early eleventh century, the historical record is vague. Nevertheless, Isabelle Schuler has drawn from the available sources, creating a fascinating portrayal of a woman turned ferocious and brutal not only because of the limited power of women in this world, but the instability of male power in itself during this period. Authority can be granted and lost in the turn of a political gamble, in the swing of a blade during an ill-judged battle.
Throughout, women wield soft, shadow power, playing the game even more skilfully than men who assume power is their due. While this is a grounded historical novel, there are also sly nods to Shakespeare’s play. A dark, wonderful novel about a woman even more memorable than the fictional depiction we’re familiar with.
Lady MacBethad is out March 2023. Thank you to Bloomsbury for the early copy!
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Death, and Sexual violence