Lady MacBethad - Isabelle Schuler

When I was younger, the only Shakespeare play I remember enjoying was MacBeth - The Scottish Play. I can't even remember why, I just know that I enjoyed it and if anyone ever asked me what my favourite was - this would be my answer.

So, as is typical of subjects that pique your interest as a child, MacBeth has long since been one of those stories that I've veered towards whenever it's come about.

So that is how I found myself with an ARC copy of Lady Macbethad by Isabelle Schuler. I will be completely transparent and say that this sat on my list for a little while - about 4-5 weeks. Normally, I've been diving straight into my ARCs but I held back slightly on this one. I wasn't sure I was ready for a story of complex historic language that would require learning new words.

But I needn't have worried.

If you've seen the synopsis for this book, you'll know that this is focussed on the life of Lady MacBeth, and the events that lead to the infamous Scottish Play. And from my memory of the original text, Schuler did a fantastic job of bringing the motivations and ambition of our main character to the forefont.

Gruoch is everything you'd want a strong female character to be - ambitious, focussed and fair. Her fierce protectiveness of those she cares about and loves is clear, whilst exploring the complexities of caring for those that perhaps doubt her or disagree.

I love this book so much and I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy when it's released in March this year.

And I really want Schuler to write an updated version of the play we know and love.

Comments

My Killer Vacation - Tessa Bailey

I think I've found my new favourite Tessa Bailey. I really enjoyed It Happened One Summer and Hook Like and Sinker so when this one was on offer - I ust had to add it to my basket. But I definitely didn't expect to love it! Taylor is taking her brother on vacation - they've gone all out on a beach house in Cape Cod but when they turn up, they made a gruesome discovery. A Bounty Hunter-come-Private Detective rocks up on his motorbike and the fun starts. I won't lie - I think Myles is the reason I enjoyed this one so much. Long hair, tattoos and 2 wheels? Sign me up. Fox and Brendan were hot, but they didn't quite push the right buttons for me. And what I enjoyed most is that the murder mystery element of the story was just as good as the rest of it. I was definitely a little hesitant because, it takes a different type of skill, but Bailey aced it.

The English Fuhrer - Rory Clements

There's something about an alternative Second World War or a "What If?" that intrigues me. After my somewhat disappointing experience with The Man In The High Castle a few weeks ago - I was hesitant that this would also miss the mark slightly but thankfully - it hit all the right spots. A few months after the end of the War, Tom Wilde is back from his OSS placement and is settling back into academia at Cambridge. But a visit to a sick friend lands him in the midst of a biological attack on British Soil and he's called up on by his previous colleague to investigate. I really enjoyed this story. I didn't realise that it was part of a series of novels based on the central character, Tom Wilde but that didn't stop my grasp of what was going on. The departments and fractions of military were easy to pick up though there are a likely a few backstories that would have been useful to piece things together quicker. My only criticism is that Clements' writing s...

Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie

Started: Saturday 2nd July 2022 Finished: Saturday 2nd July 2022 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ On Saturday I travelled up to London to see Beauty and The Beast at the London Palladium and with a four hours on a train, I wanted something I could really get stuck into. I need a book small enough to fit in my bang, fast paced enough to lose myself in and lighthearted enough not to impact my mood and Murder On The Orient Express was perfect. My second delve into the Agatha Christie catalogue, I’ve already labelled her books as “filler” books - perfect for one sitting and clever enough to keep me guessing without the dreaded Book Hangover. Murder On The Orient Express sees the infamous Monsieur Hercule Poirot have an urgent recall to England, cutting his leisure time short. But oddly, the sleeper train is full, a strange and unexplained circumstance given the time of year. Through his years of connections, a temporary cabin is found to be shared with McQueen - the travel companion for Ratchett; and ...

The Little Library Project

Search This Blog