Lady Macbeth by Isabelle Schuler is a gripping reimagining of one of Shakespeare’s most infamous characters, Lady Macbeth, before she became the ambitious, power-hungry figure we know from the play. Schuler dives deep into the backstory of Gruoch, the woman who would become Lady Macbeth, fleshing out her life, struggles, and motivations in a way that feels both fresh and familiar.

Set in 11th-century Scotland, the novel is rich with historical detail, bringing the harsh, often brutal world of the time vividly to life. Schuler paints a picture of a society where power is fiercely contested, and survival often depends on cunning and alliances. Against this backdrop, we see Gruoch as a complex, determined young woman who is shaped by the political and personal betrayals she experiences.

What’s particularly fascinating about this book is how Schuler gives voice to Gruoch, allowing us to see the events that hardened her and drove her to seek power. The novel explores themes of ambition, revenge, and the roles women are forced into within a patriarchal society. Gruoch’s transformation from a vulnerable girl into the formidable Lady Macbeth is both compelling and, at times, heartbreaking.

Schuler’s writing is vivid and evocative, with a strong sense of place and atmosphere. She captures the wild beauty and the danger of medieval Scotland, making it almost a character in its own right. The pacing is well-balanced, with enough tension and drama to keep you turning the pages, while also giving space to the quieter, more introspective moments that delve into Gruoch’s inner world.

Overall, Lady Macbeth is a powerful and absorbing read that adds new layers to a classic character. It’s perfect for fans of historical fiction, especially those who enjoy stories that give a voice to women who have been overshadowed by history. Schuler’s take on Lady Macbeth is as fierce and unforgettable as the character herself.

I’ve always said historical fiction doesn’t have to be accurate, but it at least has to be good. This wasn’t historically accurate and it also wasn’t good. It was okay at best, but might be a good read if you’re a fan of medieval history (Scotland in particular).

The fictional story of Lady Macbeth set in Scotland
Such a character - daughter of an ousted king and descendent of ancient Druids, Lady Macbeth or Gruoch is prophesied that one day she will be Queen of Alba
When she is betrothed to Duncan the prophecy seems to be coming true
I loved finding out about Grouch and her pagan roots, it was an informative and interesting read
Well researched
Thanks @isabellenschuler @bloomsburypublishing & @netgalley for the interesting read

LADY MACBETHAD is not a retelling of the play Macbeth but rather an imagining of what might have occurred in the years before the play, shaping the character we know as Lady Macbeth.

Like BLOOD QUEEN, this book draws on some of the history we know really happened (the play itself is pretty much all invention - the actual king Macbeth ruled for 17 years that were relatively peaceful as Scottish history of the time goes!) It was interesting to see another take on the events, an equally bloody affair full of men using women for their own end and betraying them. There are also plenty of manipulations (from men and women) and abuses of power, not to mention backstabbing.

The book explores what might happen in order to create the calculating, ruthless woman of the play who is willing to kill a guest in her own house for power. I liked that Gruoch is never made into the sort of pitiful victim who then becomes all cold, but is ambitious from the start. It is about survival too, but I liked that that was not her only motivation - this is a woman who wants power and isn't afraid to admit it.

I found the early build up of pagan magic and the importance it had in tearing Gruoch's family apart interesting as it does not come into play at all after the first 50-odd pages other than Gruoch's personal belief in the prophecy. I though it an interesting choice and I think I would have liked more of that tension between old and new to continue throughout the book, rather than justifying a prophecy and her mother's death then not coming up again.

All good reviewers know that Macbeth is Shakespeare’s third campest play (after Hamlet and Twelfth Night) and so I love it. The titles. The theatrics. The inexplicably rhyming crones. So naturally I had to read this, and readers, I also loved it. It’s the origin story of Macbeth’s infamous queen, beginning when she’s a young girl torn between the political intrigues and wars of a tumultuous medieval Scotland. Much of the story is set in Fife, where my family lives, so I loved the rich exploration of the area’s histories and legends. The story plays with the tension between lingering regional rituals and the forced emergence of Christianity, as young Gruoch is told she will be queen and is determined to survive to reach her destiny. Yet as the wheels of politics turn, it’s impossible to see how she will reach these heights, especially when she meets Macbethad, who captivates her and yet is not to be king. The novel stops before the play starts, but is incredibly compelling and rich: it stands alone as a thrilling political history and a bildungsroman of an extraordinary woman in extraordinary times, and knowing her ultimate fate looms in the future doesn’t diminish the tension of the book. Thank you so much NetGalley for providing this review copy!

Lady MacBethad is a feminist retelling of the historical figure Gruoch, daughter of an ousted king and the inspiration for Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth. Compelling and atmospheric, this story is set against a backdrop of medieval Scotland and follows our main character as she climbs her way to the throne, battling court politics, familial drama, and anyone who attempts to get in her way. Gruoch is a character written to be complex. Both fierce and unapologetically herself, she spends the length of the novel carving a place for herself in an unsettled, patriarchal world. What stopped me from rating this higher is certain pieces of dialogue that felt disconnected and were a case of telling not showing, which took me out the story at times. Despite this I still enjoyed my time reading Lady MacBethad and would recommend it to historical fiction enjoyers looking for a strong, feminist retelling with many intriguing and suspenseful moments.

Lady MacBethad by Isabella Schuler

A great retelling and backstory to Shakespeare's story which I very much enjoyed.
Well done to the author

Born a Pict princess after her family has lost the throne, Gruoch becomes obsessed at a very young age by her grandmother’s propechy: one day she will be queen.

Scheming and disciplined, she chooses a favourable engagement over the chance of love when still barely on the cusp of her teens.

However, in a fickle and highly political and gendered world, Gruoch finds herself scrabbling for survival, still determined to be queen and unafraid of bloody revenge.

A compelling story of Lady Macbeth’s life before the Scottish play with a carefully embroidered character steeped in history and myth yet still very human.

I’d love to see Schuler write a follow-up, especially as I can’t picture this Gruoch and MacBethad handling events the same as Shakespeare’s and I want to know how the author interprets or imagines what happens next.

To become so utterly enraptured with this book was not something I thought would happen, but it did. I was so drawn into this tale of love and lust, politics and power, revenge and ambition.
The protagonist had such a depth of emotions, a multifaceted personality and a range of drivers. This book was a beautifully written fictionalised account of Gruoch, one of the protagonists of Shakespeare's play Macbeth, and real life Scottish queen. This story goes over the life of Gruoch from childhood into adulthood, through all the hurdles she faced.
This book gave a different view of the woman who would go on to become Lady Macbeth, compared to the villain we are presented with in Shakespeare's play Schuler's Gruoch is ambitious, determined, but kind. Clever and cutting, She has flaws but her flaws make her seem more human, more real. You can really feel her emotions and struggles through the page. Every slight against her and her loved ones hurts but every success you truly feel connected to. Most historical sources would suggest that Gruoch was closer to Schuler's depiction, which is a wonderful thing to discover. Sources suggest she was noble and charitable, Schuler does pay homage to the Shakespeare beautifully at a few points in the novel.
Reading Schuler's descriptions of Pictish practices, and of medieval Scotland was a particular joy. She has a phenomenal skill of being able to paint with her words in a way that supports the plot without getting too bogged down in detail.
This book will make you question everything you think you know about the real people who have become fictionalised characters through history.
This book was well paced and it was a quick read. I so very much hope that Schuler will write a sequel to this novel. I would preorder it in a heartbeat.

As an English teacher who has taught Macbeth multiple times in the classroom, I really enjoyed this. It serves as the back story to Lady Macbeth, explaining how and why her character develops into Shakespeare's figure. Of course there are differences, but I thoroughly enjoyed this creative and well written insight into her character. The historical references seemed to be well researched and the plot was interesting. A successful historical novel!

This author’s books have the ability to simultaneously make you unable to stop reading while wishing you could bury the book somewhere deep underground where it can't be found. Compelling and didn’t want it to end!

3, 5 stars

"Lady MacBethad" had an interesting premise and, overall, I quite liked the plot and thought the main character was interesting, but something about the writing just didn't really work me.

I didn't really know what to expect when I went into this, just that I loved the darkness surrounding Shakespere's Lady MacBeth. This tells the story of the Scottish Queen who inspired this characters.
The imagery was beautiful.
Gruoch was such a well written character, she had so much ambition and drive.
The ending??? Stunning.
My only 'complaint' is that I felt it could have gone a little faster at times.

I have read quite a few re- imagination/ interpretation of characters, and this is up there with the best!

Lady MacBethad is a story about Gruoch, (Scottish Queen who inspired Shakespeare's character) who later becomes Lady Macbeth. It offers a new look at Lady Macbeth's character and motivations before Shakespeare's play "Macbeth.".
An easy 5 ⭐️ read, even if your not a Shakespeare fan!