Bookseller Reviews
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A flower and a serpent!
Set in the ancient kingdom of Scotland, as Christianity is being established, Gruoch is the grand daughter of druids, and the daughter of a line of kings. ... READ MORE
Perfectly executed, gripping, and highly atmospheric
A perfectly executed, gripping, and highly atmospheric novel. I don’t usually read historical fiction, but this sweeping epic has changed my mind. It trans... READ MORE
Historical fiction at its finest
This fictional retelling of the life of Gruoch gives an interesting and dramatic account of the events and major players in 11th century Scotland. The narr... READ MORE
Already one of my top novels for 2023!
Can I give this book more than 5 stars?! I was utterly captivated by the story of Gruoch, daughter of a usurped king and descendant of ancient druids, and ... READ MORE
Bridgerton with Knives
If you love your historical fiction, and enjoy reading about lesser-known figures of history, then I can’t recommend Lady MacBethad enough to you! Whilst i... READ MORE
An inspirational tale of power, love and sacrifice
What a beautifully written tale! I loved getting to know Gruoch and reading about such a strong character who inspired Shakespeare's Macbeth. The story tou... READ MORE
Fierce and delightful
I loved so many things about this book!
(If you also liked it you're probably going to have a great time listening to 'labour' by Paris Paloma ;])
I hav... READ MORE
Richly Imagined and Beautifully Told Story
There is a fashion these days for women's history to be reclaimed by authors who are adding back women into the narrative they have so long been denied. Th... READ MORE
Bold and dramatic
Set in the ancient kingdom of Scotland, as Christianity is being established, Gruoch is the grand daughter of druids, and the daughter of a line of kings. ... READ MORE
Enjoyed but felt it needed a darker tone
Lady MacBethad is based on the life of a real historical figure, who was also the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth. I loved reading a female char... READ MORE
A strong, feminist retelling
Lady MacBethad is a feminist retelling of the historical figure Gruoch, daughter of an ousted king and the inspiration for Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth. Comp... READ MORE
A gripping, historical, feminist read
For lovers of Shakespeare, this is such a unique story that gives life to a classic Shakespearean character. Her backstory is tragic, and you find yourself... READ MORE
Exciting historical fiction
The easiest five stars. I LOVED this. I especially loved the characterisation of Gruoch and how her ambition was portrayed throughout the book as it warred... READ MORE
Synopsis
Power. History. Love. Hate. Vengeance. She will be Queen. Whatever it takes...
Daughter of an ousted king, descendant of ancient druids, as a child it is prophesied that one day Gruoch will be queen of Alba. When she is betrothed to Duncan, heir elect, this appears to confirm the prophecy. She leaves behind her home, her family and her close friend MacBethad, and travels to the royal seat at Scone to embrace her new position. But nothing is as Gruoch anticipates.
Duncan's court is filled with sly words and unfriendly faces, women desperate to usurp her position, and others whose motives are shrouded in mystery. As her coronation approaches, a deadly turn of events forces Gruoch to flee Duncan and the capital, finding herself alone, vulnerable and at the mercy of an old enemy. Her hope of becoming Queen all but lost, Gruoch does what she must to survive, vowing that one day she will fulfill her destiny and take up the future owed to her.
Whatever it may take. A suspenseful, sweeping historical epic, Lady MacBethad is the origin story of the woman who inspired one of Shakespeare's most iconic characters.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
- ISBN: 9781526647252
- Number of pages: 384
- Dimensions: 238 x 160 x 36 mm
- Weight: 700g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allEngaging! Haunting! Lingering!
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
From the beginning to the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Great plot. Fast paced. Groa (Lady Macbethad) is a complex char... READ MORE
Wow!
I was lucky enough to receive a electronic advanced reading copy via NetGalley.
Wow wow wow - this book is fantastic. I devoured it in 2 days. It’s a wo... READ MORE
A deliciously dark and masterfully written historical fiction set in Scotland
"Lady Macbethad" by Isabelle Schuler offers a captivating journey into the origins of one of literature's most iconic characters, Lady Macbeth. Set in 11th... READ MORE
More YA than I was anticipating
Gruoch is the daughter of a deposed king and the last of a legendary Pictish clan. Her Grandmother predicts she will be Queen of Alba and Gruoch bears thi... READ MORE
Fantastic
I was fascinated to read this origin story of the infamous Lady Macbethad, who we know from Shakespeare. The author breathed life into the characters, and ... READ MORE
A gripping, refreshing and thought provoking re-telling
I loved this fascinating origin story of one of Shakespeare’s best known female characters which transforms Lady Macbeth from a ruthlessly ambitious villai... READ MORE
A powerful story beautifully told
I read this because I've always been curious about Macbeth and his wife. I "studied" Shakespeare's Macbeth for O Levels but was never particularly blown aw... READ MORE
A proud princess battling for her destiny
Set in old Britain in the days when Christianity was new and the old ways still of value. This is a story of a passionate, angry, proud princess fighting f... READ MORE
Stunning and gripping
If you are a Philippa Gregory fan, this book will suit you perfectly!
What impressed me most was the Druidic and almost magical presence throughout the ... READ MORE
Unputdownable!
Completely enthralling. I did not expect an historical novel to be so engrossing.
Amazing debut novel. Thoroughly enjoyed it - looking forward to Isabel... READ MORE
Powerful reimagining of the early life of MacBeth’s queen
‘Don’t be afraid, Groa, daughter of Boedhe, son of Coinneach, the rightful King of Alba. … You will be the greatest of us all. Your fame will spread throug... READ MORE
A Triumphant Debut
As a literature kid, I’ve always been been in love with Lady Macbeth and this book definitely had my intrigued. It’s clearly well written as it kept my int... READ MORE
Brutally wicked retelling
Lady Macbethad was the darkly enticing, completely ensnaring retelling I needed.
Lady Macbeth has always been a figure that fascinated me, with her com... READ MORE
Historical back story to Lady MacBeth - Fascinating!
I was drawn into this book immediately - Gruoch (eventually to become Lady Macbeth) knows from an early age that she is destined to become Queen. Between h... READ MORE
Page turner
Gruoch is a compelling protagonist (however most of the surrounding characters remain a little flat) though I think there is too much time focused on the r... READ MORE
Behind every great man is a great woman
The rise to power comes with a price. And the young Gruoch is ready to sacrifice everything to fulfil her destiny – to become a queen immortalised in histo... READ MORE
Intriguing retelling
Known to many as the true villain of Shakespeare's MacBeth, Lady MacBeth is generally considered to be a strong, ruthless, and ambitious woman. A woman, w... READ MORE
A True Triumph
Lady MacBethad is one of those rare books where you don’t find yourself bored for so much as a moment. I absolutely devoured this book and enjoyed every se... READ MORE
Druids, battles, murders, love and a fierce survival force that illuminates the story of the real-life woman who inspired Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth.
I really enjoyed Lady Macbethad. It isn’t a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Instead, it’s the story of the historical woman Lady MacBeth was based o... READ MORE
Gripping, well written story
I picked this one up one evening when I couldn’t sleep and it did not help! I was immediately gripped by the story and flew through the first half of the b... READ MORE
Captivating
Known to many as the true villain of Shakespeare's MacBeth, Lady MacBeth is generally considered to be a strong, ruthless, and ambitious woman. A woman, w... READ MORE
Fabulous historical novel
I really enjoyed reading Lady MacBethad.
It tells the story of Gruoch, a girl with old royal bloodlines. How she tries to follow her grandmothers prophecy... READ MORE
Fantastic reimagining
As someone who has taught Macbeth for more years than I care to admit I was a little nervous to read this wondering how I would feel about it. I should not... READ MORE
Fast Read
Loved this book. A piece of historical fiction based in Scotland or Alba as it was once known. Groa is raised by the Picts and their beliefs but that relig... READ MORE
A clever, atmospheric, beautifully written origin story
Lady MacBethad by Isabelle Schuler
I loved this fascinating origin story of one of Shakespeare’s best known female characters which transforms Lady Macbet... READ MORE
Highly recommended
A gritty, dark and gripping story of one of the greatest Shakespeare villain: Lady Macbeth or Grouch as she's in this book.
I think this book it's not only... READ MORE
Descended from Druids, Gruoch wants to rule against all odds.
Gruoch is descended from Druids and knows her destiny. She wants to hold power over people but first she must survive to reach her goal. Men hold the power... READ MORE
I couldn’t stop reading, devoured this compelling novel with delight
Lady MacBethad
Having been a fan of the Scottish play since studying it for O level, and seeing it performed at Stratford, the character of Lady M has fasc... READ MORE
Absolutely gripping!
MacBeth is one of favourite Shakespeare plays, so I jumped at the chance to read this book about Gruoch, the inspiration for Lady MacBeth, and gosh I loved... READ MORE
Extraordinary Novel
I really love this book, Lady MacBethad is so rich in it's characters, emotional complexity and is a genuinely fascinating twist on the tale.
A sweeping, historical epic
Gruoch is the daughter of an ousted king, and the descendant of ancient druids. When she is a young girls, her Druid grandmother prophesies that one day sh... READ MORE
Great historical faction
This is the story of Lady Macbeth before she became the hated Lady Macbeth.
It is well told and holds quite a few surprises if you don’t know her history. ... READ MORE
Great story!
A prequel to 'the Scottish play'; Gruoch's story of how she became the real Lady Macbeth(ad). A gripping tale of early Scotland, a game of thrones without... READ MORE
An absorbing read
Reading this book made me return to Shakespeare's play. It is an absorbing read that gives more reasons for the play's brutal and tragic actions. This take... READ MORE
Great characterisation as Gruoch becomes Lady MacBethad
What a fantastic story Isabelle Schuler has created around the girl, Gruoch, Picti princess, who later became Lady MacBethad. Gruoch is treated throughou... READ MORE
Powerful and atmospheric
Lady MacBethad tells the story of Gruoch Ingen Bolte, then Queen who inspired Shakespeare’s Lady MacBeth. This is a fitional account of Gruoch’s life, from... READ MORE
atmospheric, dark twisty eye opener
Schuler has contrived an electrifying read of the real life Gruoch who later became Lady MacBethad. I read it in 10 staves at Pigeonhole, a reading club I... READ MORE
Great Read!
So many of us will have read Macbeth and perhaps adored the character Lady Macbeth...
This new book looks at Lady Macbeth and it is fabulous!
Very happy to... READ MORE
How to fully give credit to the magnificent of this work? Who gave her the right to write a book as fabulous as this?
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
How to fully give credit to the magnificent of this... READ MORE
Origin story for Macbeth’s murderous consort
The play Macbeth has been studied at GCSE and A level widely, including by me at both levels, so it must be one of the most well known Shakespeare works. T... READ MORE
A rewarding read
Have you ever read Macbeth in school and loved the vengeful ambition of the play? I know I certainly enjoyed it but I never really thought about the backgr... READ MORE
4.5 stars!
I loved this book and couldn’t put it down!
An unique and exciting origin story
An origin story to Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth, ‘Lady MacBethad’ tells of a determined girl who grows up to be a ruthless woman. Set upon fulfilling her gra... READ MORE
I wonder whether William Shakespeare’s immortal masterpieces need to be ‘retold’...
‘’I have been tossed around my whole life. And every time I create myself anew. Every time I rise from the ashes and forge a new life for myself. My very e... READ MORE