All Our Yesterdays: A Novel of Lady Macbeth

by Joel H. Morris

A propulsive and piercing debut, set ten years before the events of Shakespeare’s historic play, about the ambition, power, and fate that define one of literature’s most notorious figures: Lady Macbeth.

Scotland, the 11th Century. Born in a noble household and granddaughter of a forgotten Scottish king, a young girl carries the guilt of her mother’s death and the weight of an unknowable prophecy. When she is married, at fifteen, to the Mormaer of Moray, she experiences firsthand the violence of a sadistic husband and a kingdom constantly at war. To survive with her young son in a superstitious realm, she must rely on her own cunning and wit, especially when her husband’s downfall inadvertently sets them free.

Suspicious of the dark devices that may have led to his father’s death, her son watches as his mother falls in love with the enigmatic thane Macbeth. Now a woman of stature, Lady Macbeth confronts a world of masculine power and secures the protection of her family. But the coronation of King Duncan and the political maneuvering of her cousin Macduff set her on a tragic course, one where her own success might mean embracing the very curse that haunts her and risking the child she loves.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Retellings, Fiction, Historical, Scotland, Shakespeare, Adult

363 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 12, 2024

About the author

Joel H. Morris's first novel, ALL OUR YESTERDAYS, won the 2025 Colorado Book award in historical fiction. His writing has appeared in Literary Hub, CrimeReads, Electric Literature, Michigan Quarterly Review, and elsewhere. He lives in Littleton, Colorado.

Reviews

[Canadian Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am no fan of Shakespeare but this tragedy, I adored.

It’s the 11th century, Scotland. A story of Lady Macbeth. Born into nobility, she is married at 15 to a tyrant, Mormaer of Moray, whose own greed and ruthlessness resulted in his demise. The woman, however, is unable to maintain any social status on her own and needs to protect her son from earlier prophecies. When Macbeth comes to claim the house that is rightfully his, they fall in love and are wed. Shortly thereafter, Macbeth accepts the boy as his own. The boy is again, protected.

In time, it is revealed the boy has been betrayed by this new father and his own mother. Fate’s path, once again, is adhered to.

There is witchery and spells; royalty and loyalty; a kingdom on the verge of collapse.

The writing: captivating . Difficult to believe this is a debut. Perhaps I will give Shakespeare another go? Likely not. Well played, Morris.
5⭐️

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

’Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death.’
–William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5

Set in Scotland during the 11th Century, this is the story of a young girl, and her life in the years that follow. A young girl, a daughter that one day would bear a name that most, if not all, will recognize. As this begins, it is the night of her wedding, but hers will also be a name that is recognized worldwide as the years pass.

She is married at the age of fifteen to the Mormaer of Moray, a man who is savagely cruel and heartless to both her and their son. She needs to not only protect her son from his wrath, but also to ensure that her son will not become like him. Soon, her husband will be gone, and she will be free.

But this is an era when women could not easily survive on their own, and so when she meets a man that seems to recognize her worth, she is intrigued. Soon, she becomes the wife of Macbeth, including the accompanying power that goes with the name, as well as security.

This is a debut, but it doesn’t feel like one. The writing is accomplished, often beautiful, the story completely engaging. There is so much more to this story than I’ve shared here, but this is a story that deserves to be experienced by those who love to read, and especially for those who enjoy literary historical fiction.


Pub Date: 12 Mar 2024

Many thanks for the ARC provided by PENGUIN GROUP Putman, G.P. Putnam’s Sons

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in early 11th century Scotland, this story alternates between Lady Macbeth and the Boy, her son. She is the daughter of a nobleman, and granddaughter of a former Scottish king. At fifteen, she is forced to marry Mormaer of Moray, a violent man.

Her story reveals how Macbeth enters the castle with the blood of her husband on his hands, and she doesn’t know his intentions.

The Boy reveals how he remembers his father’s rage and storming, and yet he wants him back, not Macbeth – the man his mother marries and falls in love with.

As the story progresses is reveals the dynamics between mother and son, and their points of view. Before Macbeth, she is a very protective mother. Once, Macbeth enters their lives she becomes more of an absent parent, which angers the boy even more. This character-driven story delves into the dynamics of those complex characters, but the masculine side of Lady Macbeth for which she is known doesn’t come through in this story.

As the story is mostly focused on the dynamics of two people, I wished for stronger character development. As I was missing this part and the plot is not the focus of this story, it made the pace slow.

Nevertheless, the writing is accomplished, and it’s a feast for those who enjoy literary writing.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Elizabeth George]

As I was reading this novel, I kept thinking how clever the idea was to write a novel that delves into the past of Lady Macbeth, exploring her psyche in order to learn how she became the "unsex'd" wife of one of literatures greatest and most disturbing of Shakespeare's tragic heroes. The author does a bang-up job portraying her, telling the story alternately through the eyes of The Lady and the eyes of The Boy who is the babe referenced by Lady Macbeth in her "I have given suck" speech. The author makes quite clear the road she traveled as well as the straitened role of women in the dark ages in which she lived. I would definitely recommend this novel, especially to lovers of Shakespeare and particularly to anyone who is as familiar with Macbeth as I was, having taught high school for more than 13 years and having introduced my students to this play.

[Laura Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleventh century Scotland was not kind to women. Most of us are familiar with Shakespeare's "Macbeth," where Lady Macbeth was portrayed as a heartless, conniving woman who will stop at nothing to ascend the ranks.

Morris has deftly crafted a broader, more human story of a woman who was as much a victim of history as a villain. "All Our Yesterdays" is an impressive debut novel from a writer with a bright future.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of Lady Macbeth, before the events presented in Shakespeare’s play, is told in alternating chapters by Lady Macbeth (only referred to as Lady here) and her son from her first unhappy marriage (only referred to as Boy). I thought that the failure to give them names was an annoying affectation. I can see why Shakespeare did not include any backstory for Lady Macbeth and her son in his play. An ambitious, grasping, manipulative woman is much more engrossing than the damaged woman, unable to escape fate, who is presented in this book.

I thought that the writing here was very good and I did enjoy the book. This just wasn’t the woman I was expecting.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

[bri]

How we deceive ourselves in days, in hours. We dream of years ahead but cannot see beyond the minute.

A really fascinating prequel to Macbeth focusing primarily on Lady Macbeth and her son. Though the pacing was slower and the work a little longer than my ideal, this was a really well done story focusing on the historical background behind the beloved Shakespeare play.

This story doesn't so much tackle its themes but dips its toes into their waters. Politics, misogyny, cycles of power, grief, hunger, fear, and more bleed faintly but precisely across the pages, often explored through stunning symbolism that speaks to a brilliant understanding of Shakespeare scholarship. The birds alone!

And the title of this book is perfect. Though the "tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" speech is constantly employed in media, especially Shakespeare retellings, this reference for the title suited the book perfectly, adding so much depth and background to this famous soliloquy.

Thank you SO much to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

CW: child loss, miscarriage, pregnancy, childbirth, adult/minor relationship, domestic abuse, child abuse, forced marriage, violence, blood & gore, animal death, misogyny, alcohol, insects, incestuous rape (past), hallucinations, parental death (past), fire (past), death in childbirth, death of grandmother (past), sexual content (implied)

[Julie - One Book More · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Shakespeare enthusiast, I was beyond excited to receive a copy of All Our Yesterdays: A Novel of Lady Macbeth. This is Lady Macbeth’s origin story, which is only touched upon in Shakespeare’s play. I’ve taught Macbeth at least two dozen times, and I’ve always been curious about Lady Macbeth’s past and how it contributed to her cunning manipulation in Macbeth. This is an engrossing look at her earlier life.

The book switches perspectives, with chapters alternating between The Woman (Lady Macbeth) and The Boy (her son), which is fascinating. You learn so much about Lady Macbeth before she even became Macbeth’s wife through her own eyes and through the eyes of her child. Her story is beautifully told, nuanced and layered and heartbreaking. The Boy’s story is also intriguing (and heartbreaking!) and reveals as much about Lady Macbeth as it does her son.

A lonely, motherless child mostly ignored by her father, Lady Macbeth ends up married to a reprehensible man and lives much of her married life in fear. Then, when her husband is killed, she marries the man who murdered her husband (Macbeth). Luckily, Macbeth is a loving husband and stepfather. I enjoyed seeing this side to both characters and how The Boy’s story reveals so much about his mother. It’s a mesmerizing look at a deeply flawed woman with a tragic and traumatic life that is dictated by the men who have power over her, but it’s also a story about a woman who is determined to take control of her own destiny.

Joel H. Morris has penned a powerful debut with gorgeous prose and a mesmerizing cast of characters. I found it so intriguing to see some of the major characters from Shakespeare’s classic as minor characters in this story and how their influence contributes to the madness, fear, and feelings of betrayal Lady Macbeth experiences. Themes about religion vs. the supernatural, ambition, and the role of women at the time are also poignant.

[talia ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

give me the novel about lady macbeth. give it to me now.

[lookmairead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll listen to any book with a Scottish accent… even if it breaks my heart in the process.

[Kendra · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are numerous novels that use the premise of telling Lady Macbeth's story, and many of them tend to focus on her backstory, taking as inspiration her line "I have given suck, and know/How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me." Everyone seems to want to tell the story of her child, who is not present in the play. Authors also like connecting Lady M with the play's witches, or non-play supernatural forces. All Our Yesterdays is no different. The future Lady M has an encounter with a witch and bears a child before Macbeth kills her husband. The author cites the "suffocating mother" trope in his notes, and her certainly draws on this idea for how Lady M treats her son before she meets Macbeth. After she does, though, she's mostly an absent parent, and her son grows up confused, angry, and mostly unpleasant. Interestingly, the primary characters go unnamed: they are merely "the Lady" and "the Boy;" which dehumanizes and objectifies them, making them roles rather than characters perhaps this is deliberate? Morris's spinning-out of how their collective and individual traumas affect them is well-done, and he creates other characters and interactions that propel the plot and character development in interesting ways. But as with all Lady M novels, I have to ask: why are people so fascinated by her motherhood and the absence of her child in the play? Are her motherhood and the presumed death of her child the only way to find humanity or even interest in her?

[Riley Christian · Rating 2 out of 5]

First star is because I got through the first fifty pages. Second star is because it’s an interesting concept and we love a bit of historical influence in our Shakespeare! But the dry writing style and the referring to characters only by their epithets (I.e. “the boy” “the lady”) is a reading turn-off for me and not my cup of tea. Reads very much as trying to be Literary and comes off pretentious for the most part. Also reads like every word should be capitalised because it’s Just That Important. The Lady Drinks A Glass Of Water. That’s the vibe.

Please. I pray you. No more attempts to be the next Madeline Miller with your retellings of classic myths and stories. None of y’all are Madeline Miller. You will fall short.

(And for the love of GOD if you’re gonna do a Macbeth retelling from Lady Macbeth’s POV, delve into the EMOTIONS. Go into the motivations!! The madness!! The language!! Have the decency to give your reader at least HALF the performance a stage actor would.)

[Madeleine George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Lord-- what a treasure. I was, admittedly, apprehensive about Morris’ debut. Unlike with stage productions, I am almost always skeptical, almost always suspicious, of ‘companion’ pieces, derivative stories with so much at stake and such familiar faces. But Morris, at one fell swoop, managed to shatter my expectations and surprise me with delight after delight, captivating scene after captivating scene.

Macbeth’s presence in my own life has been consequential, to say the least; for the better part of a decade, these characters and their words have haunted, taunted, cajoled, and inspired me. And never before have they been as beautifully rendered, as fully explored, as deftly communicated, and delicately crafted as they are here. It’s an immensely rewarding read for anyone intimately familiar with the script; words and phrases and images repeat, rebound, and doubly redouble throughout the novel, conspiratorially weaving a web of context and reference that leads to the story and the script we know so well. Additionally, there’s a deep literary homage happening alongside impression medieval research: those who are at all familiar with or fans of Toni Morrison’s Beloved are in for a visceral indulgence.

I don’t hesitate to admit that, at several disparate points, I was left in tears, near inconsolable. This is an astonishing feat, given that a) I’mmadeofnailsandnevercry but also b) it’s a story whose ending, whose beginning, whose glorious, ecstatic, horror-filled middle I would know blind, know deaf, would know at the end of the world. I am deeply and sincerely moved by the poignancy of each and every movement of this book. Not a single character suffers from over-familiarity or lack of attention to detail. Not a scene goes by that isn’t constructed with the precision of an orchestra. There isn’t a page that isn’t overcome with Morris’ immense compassion, power, and understanding.

What a privilege to have this book in hand. It goes immediately on my ‘List of Books Actors Have to Read Before Performing in Macbeth’-- which is longer than you might think.

I’m still catching my breath from this one. An immense, colossal work that reads with an ease and an alacrity that belies its deeply complex interior. An astonishing work. I am astonished.
Give me 3-5 business days to mourn and then maybe I can talk about it more.






ps. the gentle, yet ever-swaggering image of Macbeth not only as the stepfather but as the Father That Stepped Up is sending me. a much-appreciated new feather in the macbeth-is-canonically-hot cap.


Essentials:

In my husband’s eyes I see a hunger.

“It is harsh, this world. It is so hard to find love in it. We look everywhere. We are fortunate if we can find the smallest drop. [...] Your new father, Macbeth. I promise: each day his learning grows. And so does his love of us both. We’ve found a sea of love, you and I, and we are only standing on the shore.”

Suddenly there is a lull in the conversation, punctuated by the crackling fire and snoring dogs. Banquo looks at my husband, then dismisses the attending servants, requesting they not disturb us until he rings the bell. [...] With my future husband, Banquo sliced their necks. He and Macbeth watched the building turn to ash, the fire mirrored in their eyes, nostrils filled with the scent of burning flesh, my then-husband incinerating inside. It is a story they share between them. One they never speak to each other. But can they not both be thinking of it as the three of us dine? How fate has woven us here together?

All things have blood in them because their mothers gave them their blood. We are all, man or woman, our mothers.

I was the daughter of a dead mother, an indifferent father. Wife of a brutal husband. All of it was a clockwork cage to live in. But when Macbeth entered the castle with his "Cousin, honored hostess," he gave me the chance to be something new.

“Tomorrow,” he assured me just before bed. “Everything is in tomorrow’s promise.” Hope is like a drunkard, much too bold. It is better to put it to bed than listen to its oaths.

There was a thudding on the heath, out beyond where the sun set, where he had never been. She was there, he knew. She held up the pot of the sow’s blood. Someone was knocking, someone was opening the lock on his door.

"Life is a toy. A plaything. A delight. A torment. A pleasure. A pain. But ultimately a trifle. Once you know that, why, make your choice."

Macbeth searches the gathered faces for mine, and when he finds it, I feel the tears brew again. In them are all the humors within me-- joy, anger, fear, hope, despair. They coil together in love. That must be what it means. Without those emotions, what could love be?

It was a cruel world men kept within them. It was a hell behind their masks.

I feel nothing. Hear nothing. See nothing. How can that be? No tremors, no howling, no signal to the world. It took so much pain to bring him into it.

There is an adage about a cat. She wished to eat fish but would not get her feet wet. How the fish must taunt her, there in the water, the cat on the bank. Her tail twists. She mews. She lifts her pad to touch the water’s skin, but she won’t go in. What is the world that would separate us so from what we want, what we require? Can we do nothing but accept it? What would it take to dry up the water and let the cat leap freely to its meal?

We sit at the table, my husband, Banquo, and I, like we did those years ago when the future was not yet made.

Blood will have blood, the saying goes. I believe it’s meant for men: expect the blood you shed to return twofold on your head. But for women? Blood will have the blood that it bears-- the blood the mother and her newborn share. Each moon is a reminder that her blood was meant for someone else.

“You should have come here long ago,” I told him, believing it was all happening as promised. How all our yesterdays remained in darkness. How, with each step towards him, I had been blind, believing there was some greater purpose. No. It was all toys, wooden soldiers on a nursery floor. Only grown men play for power, for life and death. How could I have believed that I could save my son from that world? That I could help him navigate it, prepare him for it as a man borne upward by woman? Instead I led him to his death.

Someone is weeping here, among the cold damp stones. If I could feel my face to know, I could say whether it was me. I have no face. I have no hands. I am broken apart. My heart thumps in some far-off corner. My head is here. My hand is there. I come together again when I hear a voice calling my name. It is just outside. Take a knife, I scream. Cut me out!

My husband. Macbeth. He comes. The time is set. Today will fall to yesterday. And tomorrow-- “Give him tending,” I say. “He brings great news!”

[Emily Gustafson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit I was a little nervous heading into this one for a few reasons—I may have reached Shakespeare burnout from the numerous Shakespeare courses I took in my undergrad years, my usual genres tend to lean toward more contemporary fiction, and I wasn’t sure how a Lady Macbeth prequel would read. I absolutely loved All Our Yesterdays and was so pleasantly surprised! The writing was mesmerizing and the story worked so well with the alternating chapters between Lady Macbeth and her son to develop a beautiful character study of a fascinating character that any reader of Macbeth thought they already had a grasp on.

This book also just works really well from a standalone perspective as well. Obviously anyone familiar with Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth will appreciate the events that shaped the sort of villain she becomes, but I believe the story would be enjoyable on its own because the plot and characters, while obviously driven and inspired by Shakespeare are robust and developed enough in Morris’s work to shine separate from the play it serves as a prequel to. While, as I mentioned, I am more of a contemporary fiction fan that rarely dips into medieval, fantasy-like genres, this one held my attention and had me dreaming of dreary, rainy Scotland.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early!

[ローレン · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, tender, and illuminating. Vaguely reminiscent of The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell, one of my all time favorite novels. The ending did not strike me as strongly as I had hoped, but overall it was a well thought out and beautiful novel. This might just inspire me to read Shakespeare's Macbeth.

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.”

so fun to read, i looooove a good backstory told from the perspective of a woman instead of a man!!!!!!! lady macbeth you’ll always be famous 😌

[1000_books_1000_lives · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I liked the nods to the original script. The characters were interesting but the pace was fairly slow. A good interpretation of Lady M and how she comes to be the character we know.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an insightful look at the backstory of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The politics of the time, the family ties, and the witches’ prophecies conspire to make Macbeth the king of Scotland and, more importantly, Lady Macbeth the queen. After all, this is her story and it is fascinatingly imagined. I most admired the way the author slowly had Lady Macbeth devolve into the play’s unforgettable character and the references frequently made tying this novel to one of the best known speeches in that play (Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow…). Loved it!

Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the ARC to read and review.

[Denise Deen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up…..I have a love/hate relationship with Shakespeare but this book brought out a tenderness for one of his main female characters, Lady Macbeth. I ended up doing a deep dive into Scottish king’s history and learned about the early years (1005-1057) and how the different classes were treated, especially women. They were merely perceived as brood mares….required to bring forth heirs and have no other value especially in the nobility class. This book is gorgeously written and is vaguely similar to The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell. However, while the plot/premise is similar the execution is not. This book is a little dull and tedious at times and maybe that is the author’s intent because Shakespeare is the same. I am very glad though that Lady Macbeth was given a strong and intelligent voice and I did like that the author made Macbeth different than the men of his time in that he loved, respected and cared for his wife beyond seeing her as a producer of heirs. I recommend this novel if you like Scottish history, Shakespeare or well written historical fiction with a strong female character.

[r. lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last 20% of this book gave off strong Macbeth energy — which I actually loved. Unfortunately, most of the first part was a real slog for me. I kept wondering if some of the glowing reviews are from people who haven't actually read Shakespeare’s tragedy. For example, Macduff comes across like a bit of a social climbing ass-kisser, even though he's canonically considered the avenging hero who liberates Scotland from the tyrannical Macbeth.

The prose also felt oddly detached. I was hoping for a fuller, darker descent — more of a true madness-to-murder spiral. The whole "confession time" scene with Macduff towards the end felt rushed. It just seemed like the author suddenly remembered he was supposed to tie everything together and started throwing out dramatic revelations.

And one side note I cannot let slide: the comparisons to The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell are way off base.

[Tonya | The Cultivated Library Co · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished All Our Yesterdays and all I can say is wow! I was excited when I discovered Morris' story of Lady Macbeth. I immediately told my sons about it as we had studied Shakespeare's Macbeth together when they were in high school. Shakespeare is a master of words, and after my visit last year, I was eager to return to Inverness and the beautiful land of Scots, if only through literature.

All Our Yesterdays begins ten years before Shakespeare's story. Full of mysticism and told in fairytale-like prose, we learn the story of the infamous Lady Macbeth. Through the blatant ambition and struggles for power, the reader is sucked into this world of castles and kingdoms and those who inhabit them. Joel H. Morris entices you with the dark descriptions and frightens with the frantic moments. Taking a peek into the mind of Lady Macbeth and through the eyes of her son, "the boy," we learn of Lady Macbeth's childhood and her brutal marriage to her barbaric first husband. We see a son confused by the actions of his mother and his own feelings about his father. We see a mother doing what she must to protect her son.

I'm sure there must be a certain amount of pressure that comes along with exploring such a controversial character as Lady Macbeth, but Morris handled it admirably. I was intrigued to see how her story played out, and I was not disappointed!

All Our Yesterdays by Joel H. Morris
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
Read this if you like:
• Morally grey MC
• A different side of the story
• Dark, moody vibes
• Shakespeare's Macbeth

[Mamie Sessions · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so interesting. Will be rereading Macbeth soon to accompany this!! Honestly have always loved Lady Macbeths character…. 🥀

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this more. It just fell flat.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars.

[Anneloes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It felt very true, and the writing was beautiful. It made me curious and a little apprehensive. I'm also just very glad I can fully enjoy reading retellings again 😊

[Sooz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the idea of learning a version of Lady Macbeth's life before her life, her ambition, her fate became intertwined with the thane of Cawdor .... this one just wasn't it for me. It is a slow read - which isn't necessarily a bad thing- but there wasn't enough other good stuff to make up for the slow pace.

[Juliew. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled to finish this.It was slow,slow to start and for the story really begin moving.There were a bit too many dream sequences to quite know what was really happening in some sections and I just didnt like the whole organization of the story.The ending truely saved it where everything became more detailed and understandable.It also might have been better to give more view points other than just the Lady and the Boy.

Much thanks to Netgalley for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review

[Elizabeth Hanan Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars.

“Women spend so much time testing the world of men for their place in it, and men think next to nothing of their place in ours”

I think one of my favorite things about writing is being able to slip into someone else’s mind and tell their story. Earlier this year, I started reading a book written by a male on the perspective of a female. I was devastated with how insensitive and incomplete a picture it painted of the female sex.

Morris completely obliterated the discontent and disappointment I had coming off of that. I chose this one bc Ava Reid has her own Lady Macbeth book coming this year (already in my ever-growing pile from the library) and I wanted to try again reading the perspective of a woman written by a man.

And it is so evident the care Morris puts in his literary fic narrative (similar in ways to Miller’s Circe). Morris has clearly put intense thought into such a complex character as Lady Macbeth, and he has also put so much toward the role of a woman (then and, unfortunately, still now). Just how you can tell when a male designer loves women through their designs, you can tell when a male writer loves women, too. I was encouraged, too, that Morris admits these takeaways come from his students and his female editor, who took so much care with this book.

Though the pacing was at times a bit slow, I was studying for 2 major exams whilst reading so that might be my issue, but for lit fic, this is a very accessible book and adds some great perspective on the character we know from high school English: “out damned spot!”

If it sounds like your jam, I recommend it. Themes of loss, time, and the supernatural mingle to shape the motivations of a woman born a murderer, a woman wild, forced to make a way for herself in a world that seems to never be ready for the thorns on every rose.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the idea of getting to know Lady Macbeth before Shakespeare's play begins. We've all wondered how she came to be the way she is, and why Macbeth follows her counsel and obviously trusts her.
This book shows her being visited by one or more of the weird sisters when she is still a girl. They begin early in shaping her beliefs and actions. Her character is rich with love and feelings, she is always thinking about her surroundings and how to best protect herself and others. She is a loving wife to Macbeth and mother to her son. Watching the plot slowly unfold how she becomes who we know she is destined to be is the fun part of this book. However I would point out that the key word there is "slow." At points the story moves at a crawl while we read about her feelings. It's a difficult balance.
Overall I enjoyed the extra context about Lady Macbeth and the people in her life. It adds to the pleasure of pondering the pure genius of Shakespeare's play.

[Jess Manners · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 3.75? I liked this, and it was one of those historical(ish) novels that feel plausible enough that I can now feel confident that I've just learned the truth about this character's backstory, which is always fun! It would be fun to teach this after Macbeth, obviously--I like the idea that she was so quick to accept his news about the Weird Sisters because she's already dealt with her own prophecies, and that there's a reason she's so quick to take charge and do what has to be done. I'm sure there are also lots of other clever things he's doing, but despite knowing Macbeth pretty well, I...am also sure I missed most of them?
Scotland in the 11th century doesn't seem all that great, man!