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Darkland Tales
Queen Macbeth
Shakespeare fed us the myth of the Macbeths as murderous conspirators. But now Val McDermid drags the truth out of the shadows, exposing the patriarchal prejudices of history. Expect the unexpected . . .
A thousand years ago in an ancient Scottish landscape, a woman is on the run with her three companions – a healer, a weaver and a seer. The men hunting her will kill her – because she is the only one who stands between them and their violent ambition. She is no she is the first queen of Scotland, married to a king called Macbeth.
As the net closes in, we discover a tale of passion, forced marriage, bloody massacre and the harsh realities of medieval Scotland. At the heart of it is one strong, charismatic woman, who survived loss and jeopardy to outwit the endless plotting of a string of ruthless and power-hungry men. Her struggle won her a country. But now it could cost her life.
A thousand years ago in an ancient Scottish landscape, a woman is on the run with her three companions – a healer, a weaver and a seer. The men hunting her will kill her – because she is the only one who stands between them and their violent ambition. She is no she is the first queen of Scotland, married to a king called Macbeth.
As the net closes in, we discover a tale of passion, forced marriage, bloody massacre and the harsh realities of medieval Scotland. At the heart of it is one strong, charismatic woman, who survived loss and jeopardy to outwit the endless plotting of a string of ruthless and power-hungry men. Her struggle won her a country. But now it could cost her life.
122 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2024
About the author
Val McDermid
285 books4,894 followersVal McDermid is a No. 1 bestseller whose novels have been translated into more than thirty languages, and have sold over eleven million copies.
She has won many awards internationally, including the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year and the LA Times Book of the Year Award. She was inducted into the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards Hall of Fame in 2009 and was the recipient of the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for 2010. In 2011 she received the Lambda Literary Foundation Pioneer Award.
She writes full time and divides her time between Cheshire and Edinburgh.
She has won many awards internationally, including the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year and the LA Times Book of the Year Award. She was inducted into the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards Hall of Fame in 2009 and was the recipient of the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for 2010. In 2011 she received the Lambda Literary Foundation Pioneer Award.
She writes full time and divides her time between Cheshire and Edinburgh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
September 12, 2024
4+
Macbeth is without doubt my favourite Shakespeare play but the events he recounts are not always accurate ! For instance, Macbeth himself is actually Macbethad mac Findlaeh and Lady Macbeth is Gruoch. Val McDermid’s excellent telling of their story which clearly focuses mostly on Gruoch is immersive reading. We first meet her as the wife of brutish Gille Coemgain with a dual narrative of what happens to her after Macbeth’s death at Lumphanen. I love the way the story is told which transports me back to 11th Century Scotland. It’s beautifully written and engaging from start to finish. What a talented lady Val McD is. Not only can she write blooming good mystery thrillers, she can also write authentic historical fiction. It also inspired me to do some further reading and to look up the places that are mentioned in the story. If you like HF or just want to read something different this novella is worth checking out.
Macbeth is without doubt my favourite Shakespeare play but the events he recounts are not always accurate ! For instance, Macbeth himself is actually Macbethad mac Findlaeh and Lady Macbeth is Gruoch. Val McDermid’s excellent telling of their story which clearly focuses mostly on Gruoch is immersive reading. We first meet her as the wife of brutish Gille Coemgain with a dual narrative of what happens to her after Macbeth’s death at Lumphanen. I love the way the story is told which transports me back to 11th Century Scotland. It’s beautifully written and engaging from start to finish. What a talented lady Val McD is. Not only can she write blooming good mystery thrillers, she can also write authentic historical fiction. It also inspired me to do some further reading and to look up the places that are mentioned in the story. If you like HF or just want to read something different this novella is worth checking out.
June 16, 2024
4.5
Macbeth is one of my favourite Shakespeare plays. I’d understood that it was another example of the bard re-writing history to serve his story line and keep in with the Establishment.
The Macbeths reigned for 17 years, 900 or so years ago. Contrary to Shakespeare, they appear to have been quite good eggs. Under them, Scotland was united for the first time. Not masses of material for Val McDermid to work with but she’s done a pretty fine job. Love at first sight, it seems and a passionate relationship thereafter. Very readable, very Scottish, lots of scotch mist. Select incorporation of the odd line or word from Shakespeare’s play.
We are tribal folk and especially so in early medieval Scotland. The importance of female relationships, finely portrayed here.
Useful glossary for the more archaic Scottishisms. This covered about 50% of the words/ expressions I was unfamiliar with!
Loved it!
Macbeth is one of my favourite Shakespeare plays. I’d understood that it was another example of the bard re-writing history to serve his story line and keep in with the Establishment.
The Macbeths reigned for 17 years, 900 or so years ago. Contrary to Shakespeare, they appear to have been quite good eggs. Under them, Scotland was united for the first time. Not masses of material for Val McDermid to work with but she’s done a pretty fine job. Love at first sight, it seems and a passionate relationship thereafter. Very readable, very Scottish, lots of scotch mist. Select incorporation of the odd line or word from Shakespeare’s play.
We are tribal folk and especially so in early medieval Scotland. The importance of female relationships, finely portrayed here.
Useful glossary for the more archaic Scottishisms. This covered about 50% of the words/ expressions I was unfamiliar with!
Loved it!
September 8, 2024
I thought this novel was OK. it wasn't especially interesting, nor did I find it riveting or compelling in any way. I guess it was a kinda surface overview story, without alot of depth.
but 'twas a gentle and pretty easy read 🙂 I enjoyed the focus on the Queen and her three companions, on women's relationships and experiences 🙂 and I think it was well written, and probably good wrt trying to explore the history and potential reality of who 'Lady Macbeth' really was (and wasn't) 🙂
🌟 🌟 🌟
accessed as a library audiobook, read by Lesley Harcourt.
but 'twas a gentle and pretty easy read 🙂 I enjoyed the focus on the Queen and her three companions, on women's relationships and experiences 🙂 and I think it was well written, and probably good wrt trying to explore the history and potential reality of who 'Lady Macbeth' really was (and wasn't) 🙂
🌟 🌟 🌟
accessed as a library audiobook, read by Lesley Harcourt.
July 29, 2024
3.5 stars
Val McDermid tells us Shakespeare had it all wrong and in her new novella, she tries to set the historical record straight. When Macbeth was killed in battle, Queen Gruoch and her three closest companions sought sanctuary among the monks. Upon learning her son Lulach has been killed and Malcolm's men are hunting for her, they flee for their lives.
The present action is interspersed with Gruoch's memories of how she and Macbeth met while she was married to his cousin Gille Coemgáin and what he did to claim her as his own and proclaim himself King of Scotland. Very interesting and well told!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of her novella. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
Val McDermid tells us Shakespeare had it all wrong and in her new novella, she tries to set the historical record straight. When Macbeth was killed in battle, Queen Gruoch and her three closest companions sought sanctuary among the monks. Upon learning her son Lulach has been killed and Malcolm's men are hunting for her, they flee for their lives.
The present action is interspersed with Gruoch's memories of how she and Macbeth met while she was married to his cousin Gille Coemgáin and what he did to claim her as his own and proclaim himself King of Scotland. Very interesting and well told!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of her novella. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
September 14, 2024
I am, unashamedly, a big Shakespeare fan, and this is one of my favourites. This, however, doesn't mean that I am unaware of possible historical inaccuracies in the plays.
In this novella, Val McDermid attempts to correct some of the inaccuracies she finds in the famous "Scottish play".
I found this retelling an enjoyable read. I was glad to find Lady Macbeth had at least some happiness in her life - and would not simply be remembered for maniacally trying to wash blood from her extremely clean hands!
In this novella, Val McDermid attempts to correct some of the inaccuracies she finds in the famous "Scottish play".
I found this retelling an enjoyable read. I was glad to find Lady Macbeth had at least some happiness in her life - and would not simply be remembered for maniacally trying to wash blood from her extremely clean hands!
June 10, 2024
Queen Macbeth is a novella-length re-imagining of the story of Shakespeare’s second most famous duo - but based on the known history of the real 11th century Scottish king of that name. Told by his wife in two timelines, Gruoch is no longer a scheming villainess, but instead a brave woman trying to survive after losing the man she loves with her three companions who are not witches but wise women. I did Macbeth at school, but never either “got” or enjoyed Shakespeare until adulthood, and I couldn’t remember much of the plot, not ever having seen it as a play or movie, but a quick refresher (thanks internet) meant I could instantly see how much the plot diverges from that of the play - this is way more Outlander than Elizabethan tragedy.
Four years after King Macbeth was killed at the battle Lumphanan, Gruoch and her lifelong friends Eithne, Aife and Ligath are in hiding at a remote monastery by Loch Leven, but forces loyal to King Malcolm are closing in, and they must flee for their lives. Gruoch reminisces about how she met the handsome redheaded warrior when she was still married to her first husband, and fell hopelessly in love.
While this does use lots of traditional Scots words (there is a glossary at the end - why don’t publishers put them at the beginning - or at least tell you at the beginning that there is one?!) it’s surprisingly easy to read. I had fun with the various nods to Shakespeare that I did recognise - I’m sure those more familiar with the play will recognise more. My main complaint is that this could easily have been a full length novel, but other than this I really liked it.
NB it’s worth looking at Wikipedia for an explanation of why Shakespeare’s version is so different!
Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
Queen Macbeth is published on 24th September.
Four years after King Macbeth was killed at the battle Lumphanan, Gruoch and her lifelong friends Eithne, Aife and Ligath are in hiding at a remote monastery by Loch Leven, but forces loyal to King Malcolm are closing in, and they must flee for their lives. Gruoch reminisces about how she met the handsome redheaded warrior when she was still married to her first husband, and fell hopelessly in love.
While this does use lots of traditional Scots words (there is a glossary at the end - why don’t publishers put them at the beginning - or at least tell you at the beginning that there is one?!) it’s surprisingly easy to read. I had fun with the various nods to Shakespeare that I did recognise - I’m sure those more familiar with the play will recognise more. My main complaint is that this could easily have been a full length novel, but other than this I really liked it.
NB it’s worth looking at Wikipedia for an explanation of why Shakespeare’s version is so different!
Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
Queen Macbeth is published on 24th September.
August 12, 2024
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Val McDermid, and Grove Atlantic for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
While Shakespeare offers up a tale about Macbeth and his adventurous life, Val McDermid explains that it was but an action-filled story with little relation to what actually happened. Choosing to pen a more realistic version of events, McDermid sets things straight in this piece, adding her own literary flourish. She explores events through the eyes of Lady (read: Queen) Macbeth, crating a much different version of events than the Bard provided those centuries ago. Told in a straightforward manner, McDermid offers up a spin on the story with unique ideas to keep the attentive reader highly entertained.
Scotland in the tenth century differed greatly from the landscape we now know. Within the bogs and hilly terrain, a woman is on the run. She seeks to protect herself with three companions, all of whom play a role in her success and continued determination to flee the enemy. Scotland is a place of war and one in which one battle won could bring about a new ruler on the throne, as lines of succession mean little when it comes to who will next sit on the Scottish Throne. At present, the protagonist seeks to find her husband and remain protected. Queen Macbeth is, at least for the time being, the wife of Scotland’s ruler. For how long that will last is up to many events that are about to unfold.
As pressures mount and enemies emerge from various shadows, Queen Macbeth will have to come to terms with the past that brought her here and the future that awaits. A forced marriage haunts her, but she could have done worse. At the heart of the ongoing battle is a woman whose charisma and determination has fuelled her. She made many sacrifices to get where she is and can only hope it was for a good reason. Otherwise, she will soon have to face the reality that she gambled and lost, leaving not only her country behind, but likely her life. McDermid delivers a piece of historical mystery and intrigue that is sure to impress some readers.
I usually quite enjoy the writing of Val McDermid, though I admit that I am not as much a fan of medieval history. She tackles that in this latest book, short though it may be. The narrative flow seems to work, at least for those who enjoy the time period and writing style that one can expect from it. Events connect and the protagonist moves from setting to setting, making herself known as well as the trouble that follows her. However, I found myself not able to properly connect to this piece, as I stumbled repeatedly to make sense of things. The narrative flow seemed off to me, as did the presentation of characters. However, I admit, I was likely not in the mindset to tackle something penned in medieval style.
There were plot points on offer and McDermid’s sense of surprises was apparent, though it did not resonate with me as much as I might have liked. I enjoy most things, but could not find myself linking aspects of the story together properly, leaving me to feel disjointed and out of touch with the themes presented. That said, it was likely just me missing something. I look forward to seeing what others thought and will stand back for their stronger reviews.
Kudos, Madam McDermid, for a piece well worth many readers’ time.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
While Shakespeare offers up a tale about Macbeth and his adventurous life, Val McDermid explains that it was but an action-filled story with little relation to what actually happened. Choosing to pen a more realistic version of events, McDermid sets things straight in this piece, adding her own literary flourish. She explores events through the eyes of Lady (read: Queen) Macbeth, crating a much different version of events than the Bard provided those centuries ago. Told in a straightforward manner, McDermid offers up a spin on the story with unique ideas to keep the attentive reader highly entertained.
Scotland in the tenth century differed greatly from the landscape we now know. Within the bogs and hilly terrain, a woman is on the run. She seeks to protect herself with three companions, all of whom play a role in her success and continued determination to flee the enemy. Scotland is a place of war and one in which one battle won could bring about a new ruler on the throne, as lines of succession mean little when it comes to who will next sit on the Scottish Throne. At present, the protagonist seeks to find her husband and remain protected. Queen Macbeth is, at least for the time being, the wife of Scotland’s ruler. For how long that will last is up to many events that are about to unfold.
As pressures mount and enemies emerge from various shadows, Queen Macbeth will have to come to terms with the past that brought her here and the future that awaits. A forced marriage haunts her, but she could have done worse. At the heart of the ongoing battle is a woman whose charisma and determination has fuelled her. She made many sacrifices to get where she is and can only hope it was for a good reason. Otherwise, she will soon have to face the reality that she gambled and lost, leaving not only her country behind, but likely her life. McDermid delivers a piece of historical mystery and intrigue that is sure to impress some readers.
I usually quite enjoy the writing of Val McDermid, though I admit that I am not as much a fan of medieval history. She tackles that in this latest book, short though it may be. The narrative flow seems to work, at least for those who enjoy the time period and writing style that one can expect from it. Events connect and the protagonist moves from setting to setting, making herself known as well as the trouble that follows her. However, I found myself not able to properly connect to this piece, as I stumbled repeatedly to make sense of things. The narrative flow seemed off to me, as did the presentation of characters. However, I admit, I was likely not in the mindset to tackle something penned in medieval style.
There were plot points on offer and McDermid’s sense of surprises was apparent, though it did not resonate with me as much as I might have liked. I enjoy most things, but could not find myself linking aspects of the story together properly, leaving me to feel disjointed and out of touch with the themes presented. That said, it was likely just me missing something. I look forward to seeing what others thought and will stand back for their stronger reviews.
Kudos, Madam McDermid, for a piece well worth many readers’ time.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
August 18, 2024
I really liked this. And I don't think I've ever read Macbeth?? Even with Shakespeare as an elective in both hs and college!
I know the basic gist though, and I enjoyed this female-centric spin on it. Full review coming for Shelf Awareness.
I know the basic gist though, and I enjoyed this female-centric spin on it. Full review coming for Shelf Awareness.
April 15, 2024
The blurb sets out a challenging narrative to what we have known so far about the concept of Lady Macbeth and promises to bring to light a few unfiltered versions of history, contrary to Shakespeare's version. Hence, I was pretty excited to get started with this one.
The approach of the story is certainly different from the 3 other books I have read on the same topic. That being said, while the concept was riveting, I found very little to cling to in the story, as it was pretty short with minimal buildup on the chemistry between the two main characters. It also got me wondering about the jealous and hate angle between the two cousins brothers and what drives it. I would have enjoyed it more if the book had covered these aspects to create a wholesome picture of all the characters, exploring the complexities and stakes of power.
Thank you @netgalley @wfhowes for the digital ARC.
Genre: #historicalfiction
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️
#QueenMacbeth
The approach of the story is certainly different from the 3 other books I have read on the same topic. That being said, while the concept was riveting, I found very little to cling to in the story, as it was pretty short with minimal buildup on the chemistry between the two main characters. It also got me wondering about the jealous and hate angle between the two cousins brothers and what drives it. I would have enjoyed it more if the book had covered these aspects to create a wholesome picture of all the characters, exploring the complexities and stakes of power.
Thank you @netgalley @wfhowes for the digital ARC.
Genre: #historicalfiction
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️
#QueenMacbeth
May 8, 2024
My love for the lies of Shakespeare notwithstanding, I really liked it. It’s poetic and beautiful.
Shelved as 'tbr-arcs'
September 15, 2024i love everything about macbeth
big thank you to Grove Atlantic and Atlantic Monthly Press for providing me with an arc.
big thank you to Grove Atlantic and Atlantic Monthly Press for providing me with an arc.
July 9, 2024
I enjoyed this more than another book in the Darkland Tales which I previously reviewed because I didn't know the story that McDermid was going to tell and so it kept me interested. Queen Macbeth flips seamlessly between the threads of a story from the past and the one happening in the present. Perhaps the length doesn't give the reader much of an opportunity to connect with the characters which made a few emotional beats fall a bit flat for me but overall an enjoyable and quick read which I would recommend to fans of Lady Macbethad by Isabelle Schuler.
May 5, 2024
Yes indeed
September 8, 2024
3.5 stars rounded off to 4.
It is currently trendy to narrate known stories through a woman's perspective. It can be a hit and miss especially when the woman's character is taken out of context and presented as a contemporary woman, rather than one of her time. As times change, so do choices and the perception of strength. Women in the past could also be strong, albeit with a different sensibility. And it can be beautiful to explore that determination too.
In this rendering, Val McDermid treads this line beautifully. She layers Queen Macbeth's character with grace, strength and dignity. She also lets the Queen be vulnerable and helpless as some situations would have left her. In many ways her thoughts were ahead of her time and this is explored well in this book. Nicely done! It is a short read that is engaging the whole way through. Briefly it touches upon the first idea of Scotland.
I am keen to explore more books in this series on forgotten queens.
It is currently trendy to narrate known stories through a woman's perspective. It can be a hit and miss especially when the woman's character is taken out of context and presented as a contemporary woman, rather than one of her time. As times change, so do choices and the perception of strength. Women in the past could also be strong, albeit with a different sensibility. And it can be beautiful to explore that determination too.
In this rendering, Val McDermid treads this line beautifully. She layers Queen Macbeth's character with grace, strength and dignity. She also lets the Queen be vulnerable and helpless as some situations would have left her. In many ways her thoughts were ahead of her time and this is explored well in this book. Nicely done! It is a short read that is engaging the whole way through. Briefly it touches upon the first idea of Scotland.
I am keen to explore more books in this series on forgotten queens.
September 7, 2024
Interesting take on the story of Queen Macbeth. I found it a bit confusing moving between the timelines - didn't realise at first it did have different timelines! The narrator was excellent though.
May 8, 2024
I read this out of interest as my chapter about crime genres in Jo Nesbø's Macbeth was just published in March 2024 in a book entitled The Crossroads of Crime Writing: Unseen Structures and Uncertain Spaces. It may be down to high expectations on my part but this novella by the Queen of Scottish crime writing Val McDermid sacrifices some of the 'fun' elements of Shakespeare's Macbeth for historical accuracy. But it also has a difficult relationship to the Shakespearean 'original': it says 'I am more historically accurate' yet alludes to those elements that make Shakespeare's version the interesting and fun one, namely the witches, Gruoch's (Lady Macbeth) capacity for strategising, ghostly figures etc. The problem with staying too close to history is that, despite its medieval setting, the mundane stays mundane: bedchamber chat, visitors arriving, banquets, food and drink, visitors leaving, physical violence (to be expected in this setting), long journeys on foot. Does this adaptation give a more historically accurate story of Macbeth's reign from the perspective of Gruoch? Yes. But is this what fiction readers are after? Overall, it is a quick and interesting read that provides a new perspective to a story so well-known and loved by many, but if you were hoping for a tale of crimes and passions, I would suggest sticking to the original or Nesbø.
July 16, 2024
Well written but I got a little bored.
I liked the flashback scenes better than the present story, but overall I was wondering what the point in the narrative was.
I liked the flashback scenes better than the present story, but overall I was wondering what the point in the narrative was.
July 31, 2024
[IN PROGRESS]
Queen Macbeth is the most recent (2024) addition to Polygon's Darkland Tales series, novellas in which
Queen Macbeth is the most recent (2024) addition to Polygon's Darkland Tales series, novellas in which
"...the best modern Scottish authors offering dramatic retellings of stories from the nation's history, myth and legend. These are landmark moments from the past, viewed through a modern lens and alive to modern sensibilities.is a short but gripping read. Each Darkland Tale is sharp, provocative and darkly comic, mining that seam of sedition and psychological drama…If there was a "dark comedy" element of this particular story, I must have missed it! It's a dramatic, enthralling and frequently bloody story, following the courageous Gruoch, widow of MacBethad mac Findlaích, King of Scotland from 1040 until his death in 1057, as she attempts to flee from the forces of Malcolm III. Thanks to William Shakespeare's play based, rather loosely, around events that occurred in mid 11th century Scotland, Gruoch is known as "Lady Macbeth". Again, we see that - as is the case with many of his historical plays - in Macbeth, Shakespeare uses known historical facts as a launching pad for political propaganda. Writing 550 years after the events he was depicting, the play paints the Scottish nobility as ruthless murderers, cursed by their own actions.
September 3, 2024
There is much to recommend in this book, it’s a more realistic feeling depiction of an era that seems to be further removed from the present than it really is, since our relation with it is through the theatricality of Shakespeare. This is a more grounded tale, and does well with it, but it’s just all a bit too plain. There’s flurries of romance and emotion in the tale of Gruoch and Macbeth, but much of the events fall a bit flat. The end of the story comes a good chunk before the end of the book, then we are treated to a list of ‘and then this happened, and this, and this’.
It feels like there was enough research done for this for a longer book, and as it was done it was all used, but this is not a longer book and it rather crowded out the good bits. Everything went by in a rush with little pause to soak up the details.
Fun for what it is, I enjoyed it well enough, worth a wee read but it’s not going to trouble any prize lists.
It feels like there was enough research done for this for a longer book, and as it was done it was all used, but this is not a longer book and it rather crowded out the good bits. Everything went by in a rush with little pause to soak up the details.
Fun for what it is, I enjoyed it well enough, worth a wee read but it’s not going to trouble any prize lists.
June 12, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed - wished it was longer. Want more of the fortune-telling lesbian horticulturalist bestie ❤️❤️ Only downside was that timelines jumped around a bit so sometimes couldn’t tell where we were - not sure if this was worsened by me listening to it rather than reading:/
June 3, 2024
I have always loved Shakespeare's "Macbeth", and I was intrigued by a fictional version that was more historically accurate. Queen Macbeth by Val McDermid is a short novel, however it didn't always feel like a quick read. There are moments when the story feels slow, periods of time in which very little happens, and then there are other moments where major action happens in the blink of an eye. I wanted more description in these crucial moments so I could feel as if I was there in the action. Instead, I was just surprised by the change of events and then I moved on.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read that brought new perspective to what I had already known.
I'd like to thank Netgalley for an ARC. In exchange, the above was my honest review.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read that brought new perspective to what I had already known.
I'd like to thank Netgalley for an ARC. In exchange, the above was my honest review.
August 17, 2024
I think I would have preferred to read rather than listen to this, but had to go for audio as it had a shorter waiting list at the library and book club deadline looms. Overall enjoyed this but got a bit confused as to whether it was jumping backwards and forward in time which might have been easier to keep on top of in print.
June 5, 2024
I struggle with retellings, particularly when it comes to Macbeth. I liked the insight into the love that these two shared, and I really appreciate that she is a Queen with her own name and agency (to a certain extent).
July 14, 2024
I've read 3 of the Dark land series now, and I'm fortunate enough to be going to see Val McDermid talk about this one in the Edinburgh book festival next month.
Very enjoyable retelling/reimagining of Queen Macbeth, her life, her plans and definitely showing a far less murderous side than Shakespeare! Still, I felt this story was rushed in places and I didn't quite get enough of a sense about the Macbeth's as a couple, or her love of her companions as I would have expected.
Very enjoyable retelling/reimagining of Queen Macbeth, her life, her plans and definitely showing a far less murderous side than Shakespeare! Still, I felt this story was rushed in places and I didn't quite get enough of a sense about the Macbeth's as a couple, or her love of her companions as I would have expected.
July 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book (and my apologies for not having a more positive review).
Seeing as it's probably not acceptable to review a book simply with the eyeroll emoji, I'll lay out what exactly irked me about this book.
First, there was barely any substance to this book, even for a novella. It is severely lacking in plot. I have no idea what this book was even about because the author gave absolutely no context to what was happening at any time. All we know is that Macbeth is more than likely dead, and the other characters are on the run. From what? Who knows! Who cares, either, apparently; certainly not the author, or she would have given us a little more detail.
Characterization was also a major issue. So many characters felt interchangeable, while most were completely blank slates. Even Gruoch (Lady/Queen Macbeth) felt rather blank and completely passive, and we never saw Macbeth himself beyond a few lacklustre conversations and a sex scene. I'm not sure how the author expects her readers to root for, or even care about, these characters if we know next to nothing about them.
The way McDermid writes women and men kind of icked me out, because every woman was beautiful and highly feminine (as all women apparently are in this world... which is bizarre, considering Val McDermid is a butch lesbian and butch women have existed practically forever), while all men are tyrants who are divided into honorable masculine men and weak men whose lives and deaths don't matter. It felt very TERFy, and knowing that McDermid identifies as a RadFem, I feel like there might be a reason for that...
The book also is distinctly lacking in any kind of emotion. Many characters die throughout the course of this story, but their deaths came and went, and even though the narrator said she was devastated, I just felt kind of bored or disappointed when I read these scenes. Similarly, I was not invested at all in Macbeth and Gruoch's romance because the writing didn't give me anything to hang onto or even begin to understand why she was interested in him, other than that he was her cousin (ah, royalty...) and it was prophesied that he would give her a son.
The dual timelines also make absolutely no sense because there is absolutely no connection from one section to the next, as there should be when writing stories this way. Whether or not the characters can see the parallels or not, the reader definitely should be able to see them, but there were none to be seen. Just random jumping back and forth between Macbeth fucking Gruoch, to Gruoch and her women (and Angus) hiding out in the wilderness, back to Gruoch who is now pregnant, and then to Angus changing in the tall grass so none of the women can see his dick. It felt completely random and pointless, but I suppose if McDermid had told the story chronologically, it would have been more obvious that there was no plot.
McDermid has a few interesting ideas, I suppose, and the general outline of what could be a good retelling of the Macbeth story, but she doesn't deliver on any of these ideas, and she doesn't achieve the goals she lays out in her opening author's note. This book needs at least 100-150 more pages to make all the details of this book make more sense and clear up some of the confusion about what the reader is meant to be feeling at any given moment.
If I could unread this book, I would.
Seeing as it's probably not acceptable to review a book simply with the eyeroll emoji, I'll lay out what exactly irked me about this book.
First, there was barely any substance to this book, even for a novella. It is severely lacking in plot. I have no idea what this book was even about because the author gave absolutely no context to what was happening at any time. All we know is that Macbeth is more than likely dead, and the other characters are on the run. From what? Who knows! Who cares, either, apparently; certainly not the author, or she would have given us a little more detail.
Characterization was also a major issue. So many characters felt interchangeable, while most were completely blank slates. Even Gruoch (Lady/Queen Macbeth) felt rather blank and completely passive, and we never saw Macbeth himself beyond a few lacklustre conversations and a sex scene. I'm not sure how the author expects her readers to root for, or even care about, these characters if we know next to nothing about them.
The way McDermid writes women and men kind of icked me out, because every woman was beautiful and highly feminine (as all women apparently are in this world... which is bizarre, considering Val McDermid is a butch lesbian and butch women have existed practically forever), while all men are tyrants who are divided into honorable masculine men and weak men whose lives and deaths don't matter. It felt very TERFy, and knowing that McDermid identifies as a RadFem, I feel like there might be a reason for that...
The book also is distinctly lacking in any kind of emotion. Many characters die throughout the course of this story, but their deaths came and went, and even though the narrator said she was devastated, I just felt kind of bored or disappointed when I read these scenes. Similarly, I was not invested at all in Macbeth and Gruoch's romance because the writing didn't give me anything to hang onto or even begin to understand why she was interested in him, other than that he was her cousin (ah, royalty...) and it was prophesied that he would give her a son.
The dual timelines also make absolutely no sense because there is absolutely no connection from one section to the next, as there should be when writing stories this way. Whether or not the characters can see the parallels or not, the reader definitely should be able to see them, but there were none to be seen. Just random jumping back and forth between Macbeth fucking Gruoch, to Gruoch and her women (and Angus) hiding out in the wilderness, back to Gruoch who is now pregnant, and then to Angus changing in the tall grass so none of the women can see his dick. It felt completely random and pointless, but I suppose if McDermid had told the story chronologically, it would have been more obvious that there was no plot.
McDermid has a few interesting ideas, I suppose, and the general outline of what could be a good retelling of the Macbeth story, but she doesn't deliver on any of these ideas, and she doesn't achieve the goals she lays out in her opening author's note. This book needs at least 100-150 more pages to make all the details of this book make more sense and clear up some of the confusion about what the reader is meant to be feeling at any given moment.
If I could unread this book, I would.
May 13, 2024
that’s a short queen 🫡
May 13, 2024
3.75 stars
September 17, 2024
Wow, I’m so happy I found this because I loved this Lady Macbeth retelling so much! Review to come! 👑
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was a fantastic novella that not only goes into the idea of what if Lady Macbeth didn’t kill herself and also what if the play Shakespeare wrote was completely false? 🗡️
We follow the grief stricken Gruoch as she lies hides away with her beloved four ladies in waiting and most-trusted guard. I just loved this portrayal of this woman. She’s not only a someone who has withstood tragedy and hardships, but she’s a person who is always looking out for those that she loves. Her tenacity and the relationships that she’s built with her women were well fleshed out and you can see the love they have for each other. I especially loved the addition of a wise woman and how even women who were gifted in different aspects were often looked upon with suspicion. 🌿
Her love with Macbeth is instantaneous, and yet it feels like you see the natural progression of their relationship. Even when they finally come together, there’s no power struggle between the two, and Macbeth seems to even love that she’s calculating and someone who he can turn to for advice. 💭
I really enjoyed the simultaneous recounting of both her current situation and the past, but I can see how this might be an issue for some people. And as much as I loved the length of this novella, I do feel like the ending came on a bit abruptly. I would have loved if this was a full on novel because I just loved the way McDermid wrote this world of 10th century Scotland and its people. The people are definitely more believable than a different Lady Macbeth retelling I read earlier. 😒
Big thank you goes to Polygon/Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review, and to the author, McDermid, for writing a stellar Lady Macbeth novella. ❤️
Publication date: September 24!
Overall: 4.75/5 ⭐️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was a fantastic novella that not only goes into the idea of what if Lady Macbeth didn’t kill herself and also what if the play Shakespeare wrote was completely false? 🗡️
We follow the grief stricken Gruoch as she lies hides away with her beloved four ladies in waiting and most-trusted guard. I just loved this portrayal of this woman. She’s not only a someone who has withstood tragedy and hardships, but she’s a person who is always looking out for those that she loves. Her tenacity and the relationships that she’s built with her women were well fleshed out and you can see the love they have for each other. I especially loved the addition of a wise woman and how even women who were gifted in different aspects were often looked upon with suspicion. 🌿
Her love with Macbeth is instantaneous, and yet it feels like you see the natural progression of their relationship. Even when they finally come together, there’s no power struggle between the two, and Macbeth seems to even love that she’s calculating and someone who he can turn to for advice. 💭
I really enjoyed the simultaneous recounting of both her current situation and the past, but I can see how this might be an issue for some people. And as much as I loved the length of this novella, I do feel like the ending came on a bit abruptly. I would have loved if this was a full on novel because I just loved the way McDermid wrote this world of 10th century Scotland and its people. The people are definitely more believable than a different Lady Macbeth retelling I read earlier. 😒
Big thank you goes to Polygon/Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review, and to the author, McDermid, for writing a stellar Lady Macbeth novella. ❤️
Publication date: September 24!
Overall: 4.75/5 ⭐️
August 22, 2024
McDermid gives us a contradictory, but more factually accurate, account of the Macbeth’s-contradictory to Shakespeare, that is.
In this version, Lady Macbeth, forced to marry a man she never loved, falls in love with his cousin, Macbeth. She also becomes pregnant by him to secure her place as Queen. And so begins their love affair and story.
I quite liked this novella. The author moved between the past and present, and weaves them together to tell the complete picture. She also lays out Gruoch’s predicament in relation to her gender, and precarious status because of her inability to get pregnant by her husband-which becomes clear is no fault of her own. But it does shine a light of the unrealistic expectations place on noblewomen, and how their value lies in what they could provide. Also, how they were forced to bow to the whims of their husbands.
But the author gives our lady strength, pragmatism, and a mind of her own. It’s clear Gruoch knows how to wield her words, and get what she wants-by how she steers her husband’s emotions and actions. Not to mention how she manages to be alone with Macbeth.
What’s most striking is the vast difference in how the Macbeth’s are view in this story versus the Shakespeare play. They are not the cold-blooded murderers portrayed in “Macbeth”. They are benevolent, kind rulers, who become crushed by war.
A solid story from start to finish. A must for historical fiction fans.
Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for my ARC. My opinion is my own.
In this version, Lady Macbeth, forced to marry a man she never loved, falls in love with his cousin, Macbeth. She also becomes pregnant by him to secure her place as Queen. And so begins their love affair and story.
I quite liked this novella. The author moved between the past and present, and weaves them together to tell the complete picture. She also lays out Gruoch’s predicament in relation to her gender, and precarious status because of her inability to get pregnant by her husband-which becomes clear is no fault of her own. But it does shine a light of the unrealistic expectations place on noblewomen, and how their value lies in what they could provide. Also, how they were forced to bow to the whims of their husbands.
But the author gives our lady strength, pragmatism, and a mind of her own. It’s clear Gruoch knows how to wield her words, and get what she wants-by how she steers her husband’s emotions and actions. Not to mention how she manages to be alone with Macbeth.
What’s most striking is the vast difference in how the Macbeth’s are view in this story versus the Shakespeare play. They are not the cold-blooded murderers portrayed in “Macbeth”. They are benevolent, kind rulers, who become crushed by war.
A solid story from start to finish. A must for historical fiction fans.
Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for my ARC. My opinion is my own.
August 25, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this re telling of the story of Queen Macbeth, Gruoch. It reclaims her reputation and that of Macbeth from that set out by Shakespeare for the political purpose of "bigging up" James VI of Scotland (James I of England) and his origins and claim to the throne of Scotland and England. McDermid's telling works through two threads, one which deals with Gruoch being on the run across Scotland and another setting out how Gruoch and Macbeth became King and Queen of a united Scotland. I'll be honest I'm not a huge fan of McDermid's detective stories. I have enjoyed some but not all. However, she can certainly write and her ability to pace a story shines in this short novella. I have read some being critical about character development in the story but I see the primary purpose of this tale being to set the record straight on a much maligned character and to illuminate a dim part of Scottish history and this narrative does this extremely well. It captures the rawness and hardships of the time well and highlights the fragility of society at a time when strength and a sharp sword aligned with male kinship held sway. McDermid contrasts this with the guile of Gruoch and her wee band of female supporters, Spice this up with the some exciting adventure scenes, a dip into the importance of botany at the time and a good sense of historical accuracy and you have a very fine little book.
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