Missing House of the Dragon levels of court intrigue and scheming queens? Enter Isabelle Schuler's astonishingly entertaining debut; a shrewdly crafted retelling of the story of Grouch, the historical Scottish Queen who inspired Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth. It has everything you need from an immersive, captivating epic, packed with brilliant writing and a suspense-laden plot. There will certainly be a lot more to come from Schuler.” — Harper's Bazaar (UK)
“The suspense-filled origin story of one of Shakespeare's best-known characters.” — BBC
"Alternative takes on Shakespeare are ubiquitous, but this origin story of the real Lady Macbeth—the debut novel by Swiss Hawaiian-American screenwriter Schuler—is distinctive. There’s genuine commitment to character and storytelling in this tale." — The Guardian
“Brimful with suspense, packed with power plays and sinister subterfuge . . . the origin story of Shakespeare’s devious Queen. Reclaimed by Schuler from the footnotes of history, her ambitious Queen Gruoch, descended from Druids, daughter of an ousted king and fully her own person, tackles the politics of Duncan’s 11th-century Scottish court with steely aplomb.” — Daily Mail (UK)
"This action-packed historical tale is a reimagining of the life of the Scottish queen who inspired the story of Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth." — The Independent (UK)
“This is the sinister and gripping story of a ruthless queen, female ambition, history, desire, hate and vengeance.” — Book Trib, “8 Scarily Good Reads for Friday the 13th”
“Transports the reader to 11th-century Scotland, a time steeped in religion, superstition, factions and fighting. . . . Schuler has created an immersive world where violence is the norm, and ambition is almost synonymous with survival. . . . If there is a sequel in the works, I’d certainly be interested in reading more.” — Historical Novel Review
“Such a breath of fresh air. . . The novel, which deftly mixes Shakespearean fiction with the scant bits of historical fact we know about the real-life figures who inspired the play, unabashedly re-centers Lady Macbeth at the center of her own story. . . . The inventive ways in which her story is framed not only give her a welcome sense of depth and self-determination, but allow her to wholeheartedly embrace the same traits—ambition, ruthlessness, and single-minded focus—that she’s long been judged a monster for possessing.” — Paste Magazine
"You don’t need to have read Macbeth to enjoy this sweeping tale, but you may want to after reading this novel… An irresistible historical novel that lets a vilified queen have her say.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Suspenseful, atmospheric and full of twists and turns, I loved the brutal, backstabbing world that Isabelle Schuler conjures up where only the most ruthless can survive. A thoroughly enjoyable read!” — Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne and Elektra
"A gripping and fiercely feminist reimagining of an extraordinary woman. Gruoch's tale is an utterly compelling and absorbing reframing of the character and the story we think we all know.” — Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman and The Metal Heart
“Schuler bestows the tale of Lady Macbeth with a fierce feminist eye and reclaims her character in this bruising tale of passion, ambition, power, vengeance, and desire. There's no need to screw your courage to the sticking place to lose yourself in this stunning retelling cast against the backdrop of medieval Scotland.” — Entertainment Weekly
03/01/2024
How did Lady Macbeth become Lady Macbeth? This novel tells the story of Gruoch, granddaughter of both kings and druids. Gruoch's father is a mormaer, but as the son of the former king, he is a threat to King Malcolm, and when Gruoch's brother is born, his position and the family's safety are in danger. After her mother takes her own life, Gruoch and her family flee north to Burghead, where the mormaer of Moray takes them in. It is here that Gruoch first meets Macbethad, whom she is promised to as a teen. But when given the opportunity to break her betrothal to Macbethad in favor of Duncan, the heir elect, Gruoch must accept and leave everything she has grown to love behind, for her grandmother prophesied that she would be queen, and Gruoch will do anything to make it true. A captivating tale about the real-life queen who inspired Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth and the trials she faced on her way to the throne. Gruoch narrates her own story, which begins at the age of five, laying bare her complicated emotions and motivations. Hers is an inspiring tale of women finding ways to maneuver their positions to find their power in a man's world. Scenes of violence and intimacy make this more appropriate for older teens. VERDICT Fans of the classics, especially Shakespeare, will enjoy this origin story of an iconic character.—Mariah Smitala
2023-08-25
A prequel to Macbeth breathes life into the woman who inspired one of Shakespeare's most iconic characters.
Like Shakespeare’s play, Schuler’s richly detailed first novel resonates with the ageless themes of betrayal, jealousy, and a lust for power. In 11th-century Scotland, Gruoch, descended from druids, is told by her seeress grandmother that she will one day assume a queen’s throne and be “immortalized.” Her first-person narration recounts a life molded by ambition, prophesies, and the determination to do whatever it takes to become queen. Gruoch is a compelling character who schemes and murders her way toward the throne of Alba (Gaelic for Scotland) by casting her power-seeking net over men, including her gentle husband’s brooding cousin MacBethad. Schuler, an actor and screenwriter, rolls out a cinematic background for this novel that takes us into the fortresses and encampments where royals scheme and conspire. Much of the dialogue is stage-worthy (Schuler has experience as a Shakespearean actor), and the novel unfolds like a film set against the backdrop of the brooding Scottish countryside. You don’t need to have read Macbeth to enjoy this sweeping tale, but you may want to after reading this novel. Fans of the Bard will enjoy spotting the Easter eggs cached in the narrative, such as “Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent beneath it.” Fans of Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller will be pleased to discover another author who reframes an ancient narrative to highlight a powerful woman traditionally overshadowed by the men who share her story.
An irresistible historical novel that lets a vilified queen have her say.