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Queen Hereafter
“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
An instant international bestseller: a suspenseful, sweeping historical epic for readers of Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller, which boldly reimagines the origin story of the woman who inspired one of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters, Lady Macbeth.
She will be Queen. Whatever it takes . . .
Daughter of an ousted king, descendant of ancient druids, Gruoch (GREW-ock), has grown up believing that she will be crowned queen of Alba and reclaim the lands of her Pictish kin, a prophecy seemingly fulfilled by her betrothal to Duncan, the heir-elect.
Determined never to be powerless again, 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 Duncan’s court is rife 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. Alone and at the mercy of an old enemy, her hope of becoming Queen all but lost, Gruoch must make a fateful choice: live a long, quiet life in the shadows, or seize vengeance and a path back to the throne.
A stunning literary reclamation of an iconic character, Queen Hereafter is a gripping story of female ambition, power, history, desire, hate, and vengeance set against the backdrop of early medieval Scotland.
An instant international bestseller: a suspenseful, sweeping historical epic for readers of Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller, which boldly reimagines the origin story of the woman who inspired one of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters, Lady Macbeth.
She will be Queen. Whatever it takes . . .
Daughter of an ousted king, descendant of ancient druids, Gruoch (GREW-ock), has grown up believing that she will be crowned queen of Alba and reclaim the lands of her Pictish kin, a prophecy seemingly fulfilled by her betrothal to Duncan, the heir-elect.
Determined never to be powerless again, 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 Duncan’s court is rife 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. Alone and at the mercy of an old enemy, her hope of becoming Queen all but lost, Gruoch must make a fateful choice: live a long, quiet life in the shadows, or seize vengeance and a path back to the throne.
A stunning literary reclamation of an iconic character, Queen Hereafter is a gripping story of female ambition, power, history, desire, hate, and vengeance set against the backdrop of early medieval Scotland.
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2023
202 people are currently reading
18646 people want to read
About the author
Isabelle Schuler
3 books117 followersISABELLE SCHULER is a Swiss-American actress, writer, and former bookseller. Her latest self-penned short film, I Am a Unicorn, is currently playing at festivals in the UK, US, and Europe. She has a BA in journalism, and her screenplay Queen Hereafter was longlisted for the Thousand Films Screenwriting Competition in 2019 and adapted into her debut novel. She lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 765 reviews
July 17, 2023
Queen Hereafter brings a classical figure. She was the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth.
Gruoch is the daughter of an ousted king. Her betrothal to Duncan is to make her a queen and reclaim the lost lands. She travels to his court and leaves behind her best friend MacBethad, who taught her basics of hand-to-hand combat. But the turn of events puts her on a path where she needs to make a choice of quiet life or climb her own way to the throne.
Set against the backdrop of early medieval Scotland, this stunningly imagined story of an iconic character brings court drama and intrigue with suspense. The characters are well-developed. Grouch is complex. She is ambitious and ruthless. It seems as nothing can stop her from achieving her goal. However, as story was building up, I wished for a bit faster pace.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Gruoch is the daughter of an ousted king. Her betrothal to Duncan is to make her a queen and reclaim the lost lands. She travels to his court and leaves behind her best friend MacBethad, who taught her basics of hand-to-hand combat. But the turn of events puts her on a path where she needs to make a choice of quiet life or climb her own way to the throne.
Set against the backdrop of early medieval Scotland, this stunningly imagined story of an iconic character brings court drama and intrigue with suspense. The characters are well-developed. Grouch is complex. She is ambitious and ruthless. It seems as nothing can stop her from achieving her goal. However, as story was building up, I wished for a bit faster pace.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2023
I love Lady Macbeth as a character. I teach the Shakespeare play and every time I read her words, they thrill me. That creeping darkness, that clever persuasion. She is spellbinding on the page and on the stage. She reminds me of the great female characters of Greek Tragedy: Clytemnestra, Medea, Hecuba. Women full of cunning. Women who weave their words and destroy those who wronged them.
This character does not match that. Perhaps she could never match that. And yes I know that this is based on Grouch, the Scottish queen that inspired Shakespeare rather than Lady Macbeth herself, but the comparison is inevitable, especially as this finishes where Shakespeare begins. Even bearing that in mind, Grouch was so much less than I hoped. Petty, selfish in a way that made her stupid, simply drawn, and self-pitying. She doesn't plan well, she reacts, and without the help of others, she tends to fail. There's nothing to admire in her. So much so that I liked Macbethad more than her at the end. That simply cannot be borne.
ARC via Netgalley
This character does not match that. Perhaps she could never match that. And yes I know that this is based on Grouch, the Scottish queen that inspired Shakespeare rather than Lady Macbeth herself, but the comparison is inevitable, especially as this finishes where Shakespeare begins. Even bearing that in mind, Grouch was so much less than I hoped. Petty, selfish in a way that made her stupid, simply drawn, and self-pitying. She doesn't plan well, she reacts, and without the help of others, she tends to fail. There's nothing to admire in her. So much so that I liked Macbethad more than her at the end. That simply cannot be borne.
ARC via Netgalley
December 28, 2022
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 away by the story until someone told me Macbeth was a real person.
In this book Isabelle Schuler looks into Lady Macbethad's origins. Her noble birth, her pagan roots, her love of country and family and her unceasing ambition to become the great queen she knew she could be. Obviously this is historical fiction so a lot is imagined but at least Ms Schuler gives us a more rounded character than the crazed psychopath that Will Shakespeare left us with.
It's interesting, well written, well researched and extremely readable. We see Gruoch (Lady Macbeth) as a beautiful, driven, tormented girl whose circumstances shape her character. Certainly life in a ruling family back in the day was very precarious with land being given and taken at the whim of the strongest leader. You had to be wary who you made your alliances with and how forthright you could be lest you found your fortress burned around you as you slept.
It's obvious from the star rating that I enjoyed this but it is certainly one of the most intelligent "feminist re-tellings" that I've read (and I sincerely dislike that genre description). I wonder if Isabelle Schuler fancies tackling Ophelia at some point in the future?
In this book Isabelle Schuler looks into Lady Macbethad's origins. Her noble birth, her pagan roots, her love of country and family and her unceasing ambition to become the great queen she knew she could be. Obviously this is historical fiction so a lot is imagined but at least Ms Schuler gives us a more rounded character than the crazed psychopath that Will Shakespeare left us with.
It's interesting, well written, well researched and extremely readable. We see Gruoch (Lady Macbeth) as a beautiful, driven, tormented girl whose circumstances shape her character. Certainly life in a ruling family back in the day was very precarious with land being given and taken at the whim of the strongest leader. You had to be wary who you made your alliances with and how forthright you could be lest you found your fortress burned around you as you slept.
It's obvious from the star rating that I enjoyed this but it is certainly one of the most intelligent "feminist re-tellings" that I've read (and I sincerely dislike that genre description). I wonder if Isabelle Schuler fancies tackling Ophelia at some point in the future?
July 23, 2023
So with an historical fiction novel I would normally hand wave historical inaccuracies, but when an author decides to wipe away several hundred years of Scottish history because it suits their plot better that is a level of disrespect that needs to be addressed.
Gruoch was born in 1015.
At the start of the novel we are told Gruoch's grandmother was the daughter of druids who remembers the kingdom of the Picts. She's still around when Gruoch is a child in the 1020s. She tells Gruoch about King Coinneach* who united the Picts and Scots. We are told her daughter Ailith married the King's son Boedhe.
*Coinneach is just the Gaelic spelling of Kenneth.
So, is Gruoch's grandmother over 200 years old or has Isabella Schuler mangled history so much that events are placed hundreds of years after the time they actually took place.
The king who united the Picts and Scots was Kenneth Mac Alpin, he did so in 843.
Boedhe's father was Kenneth III, who reigned from 997-1005.
Scotland had twelve kings between these two.
This research took me about 10 minutes, to be fair I knew most of it, the research was just checking dates. Isabelle Schuler is probably aware most of her readers won't know this so she doesn't have to care.
Even Randall Wallace, the scriptwriter of Braveheart, didn't have that much of a brass neck.
And next, apparently Gruoch mother wasn't a Christian until her father-in-law was killed in 1005. Gruoch constantly calls Christianity 'the new religion.'
Give me strength. Christianity arrived in Scotland before Scots did. Okay, that might a slight exaggeration, but they both arrived in the fifth century, OVER FIVE HUNDRED YEARS BEFORE THIS NOVEL TOOK PLACE.
Now Picts did hold on to pagan beliefs longer than the Scots. But by the time AIith and Boedhe marry and have Gruoch, there has been a united Scotland for over a hundred and sixty years. The idea of them not being Christian doesn't make sense.
And if Boedhe did decide to become a Christian, Gruoch would’ve been taught about Christianity, she would not be learning about it from local children. She’s still the granddaughter of a king and would be raised as such, especially since at this time Scots could stake a claim to the throne through their maternal line.
Gruoch herself feels like a YA heroine who doesn’t know what’s going on because she’s in a world she’s only just discovered. But Gruoch’s not in a new world at any point. This is where she’s been born and raised, she would know exactly what was going on, she would be taught about religion and would grow up expecting to be married off to a man of her father’s choosing. In this novel the fact she’s not makes about half a dozen adults look neglectful.
Americans seem to think Scottish history is just there to be their playground and it doesn’t matter if they get it wrong or are disrespectful. And I doubt there will be consequences for this author, I’m sure she’ll continue to get published. But her readers should know she’s absolutely taking the piss out of them and out of Scotland.
If I could give this book 0 stars I would, one will have to do.
Gruoch was born in 1015.
At the start of the novel we are told Gruoch's grandmother was the daughter of druids who remembers the kingdom of the Picts. She's still around when Gruoch is a child in the 1020s. She tells Gruoch about King Coinneach* who united the Picts and Scots. We are told her daughter Ailith married the King's son Boedhe.
*Coinneach is just the Gaelic spelling of Kenneth.
So, is Gruoch's grandmother over 200 years old or has Isabella Schuler mangled history so much that events are placed hundreds of years after the time they actually took place.
The king who united the Picts and Scots was Kenneth Mac Alpin, he did so in 843.
Boedhe's father was Kenneth III, who reigned from 997-1005.
Scotland had twelve kings between these two.
This research took me about 10 minutes, to be fair I knew most of it, the research was just checking dates. Isabelle Schuler is probably aware most of her readers won't know this so she doesn't have to care.
Even Randall Wallace, the scriptwriter of Braveheart, didn't have that much of a brass neck.
And next, apparently Gruoch mother wasn't a Christian until her father-in-law was killed in 1005. Gruoch constantly calls Christianity 'the new religion.'
Give me strength. Christianity arrived in Scotland before Scots did. Okay, that might a slight exaggeration, but they both arrived in the fifth century, OVER FIVE HUNDRED YEARS BEFORE THIS NOVEL TOOK PLACE.
Now Picts did hold on to pagan beliefs longer than the Scots. But by the time AIith and Boedhe marry and have Gruoch, there has been a united Scotland for over a hundred and sixty years. The idea of them not being Christian doesn't make sense.
And if Boedhe did decide to become a Christian, Gruoch would’ve been taught about Christianity, she would not be learning about it from local children. She’s still the granddaughter of a king and would be raised as such, especially since at this time Scots could stake a claim to the throne through their maternal line.
Gruoch herself feels like a YA heroine who doesn’t know what’s going on because she’s in a world she’s only just discovered. But Gruoch’s not in a new world at any point. This is where she’s been born and raised, she would know exactly what was going on, she would be taught about religion and would grow up expecting to be married off to a man of her father’s choosing. In this novel the fact she’s not makes about half a dozen adults look neglectful.
Americans seem to think Scottish history is just there to be their playground and it doesn’t matter if they get it wrong or are disrespectful. And I doubt there will be consequences for this author, I’m sure she’ll continue to get published. But her readers should know she’s absolutely taking the piss out of them and out of Scotland.
If I could give this book 0 stars I would, one will have to do.
December 20, 2022
4.5 stars
I went into this not being very familiar with the story of MacBeth but interested in the premise of this nonetheless. I found this book so gripping and addictive from the start with a heroine who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to be bold and cruel to get there.
I stayed up late into the night because I couldn’t stop turning the pages of this one and thoroughly enjoyed being wrapped up within this world. It was page-turning and tense at every stage - a great read!
Thank you to Bloomsbury for gifting me a proof copy of this title
I went into this not being very familiar with the story of MacBeth but interested in the premise of this nonetheless. I found this book so gripping and addictive from the start with a heroine who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to be bold and cruel to get there.
I stayed up late into the night because I couldn’t stop turning the pages of this one and thoroughly enjoyed being wrapped up within this world. It was page-turning and tense at every stage - a great read!
Thank you to Bloomsbury for gifting me a proof copy of this title
Read
January 25, 2024...leider nach etwa der Hälfte abgebrochen...
Thematisch hat mich das Buch sehr sehr neugierig gemacht inklusive der Geschichte rund um Schottland. Erhofft hatte ich mir hier die Geschichte einer starken Frau- letztlich ist die Erzählweise leider die, eines trägen Erzzählers gewesen, der letztlich ein Ereignis nach dem nächsten auflistet. So bekam die Geschichte und unsere Charaktere hier so wenig Farbe, dass ich mich unheimlich schwer tat und das Buch somit abgebrochen habe. Im Nachgang haben meine Recherchen ergeben, dass die wahren Daten und Fakten doch sehr frei ausgelegt wurden... klar, es ist ein Roman, dennoch empfinde ich es immer als sehr hilfreich, wenn gerade Daten und Fakten korrekt sind, da man ja dann auch etwas mitnehmen, etwas lernen kann... leider ist dem hier wohl nicht so und mit ein Grund der mich bestärkt, das Buch vorzeitig abgebrochen zu haben... schade, denn gerade hier hatte ich mir ein kleines Highlight erhofft...
Thematisch hat mich das Buch sehr sehr neugierig gemacht inklusive der Geschichte rund um Schottland. Erhofft hatte ich mir hier die Geschichte einer starken Frau- letztlich ist die Erzählweise leider die, eines trägen Erzzählers gewesen, der letztlich ein Ereignis nach dem nächsten auflistet. So bekam die Geschichte und unsere Charaktere hier so wenig Farbe, dass ich mich unheimlich schwer tat und das Buch somit abgebrochen habe. Im Nachgang haben meine Recherchen ergeben, dass die wahren Daten und Fakten doch sehr frei ausgelegt wurden... klar, es ist ein Roman, dennoch empfinde ich es immer als sehr hilfreich, wenn gerade Daten und Fakten korrekt sind, da man ja dann auch etwas mitnehmen, etwas lernen kann... leider ist dem hier wohl nicht so und mit ein Grund der mich bestärkt, das Buch vorzeitig abgebrochen zu haben... schade, denn gerade hier hatte ich mir ein kleines Highlight erhofft...
October 8, 2023
Format: audiobook & ebook ~ Narrator: Sara Vickers
Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
Gruoch, a historical figure, inspired Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s classical tragedy Macbeth. Queen Hereafter is her story before she becomes Lady Macbeth. This story actually ends where Macbeth starts.
Set in early medieval Scotland. Gruoch is a descendant of ancient druids. She believes from her earliest years that she is destined for greatness and one day, she will be crowned queen of Alba.
Queen Hereafter is a coming-of-age story of Gruoch or Lady Macbeth and what made her the way she is in a famous Shakespeare tragedy. It is a story of grand ambition and power and what Gruoch is willing to do to achieve her goals.
I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook at the same time. Both formats are excellent, and I would recommend both.
Thanks to Harper for the advanced copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
Gruoch, a historical figure, inspired Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s classical tragedy Macbeth. Queen Hereafter is her story before she becomes Lady Macbeth. This story actually ends where Macbeth starts.
Set in early medieval Scotland. Gruoch is a descendant of ancient druids. She believes from her earliest years that she is destined for greatness and one day, she will be crowned queen of Alba.
Queen Hereafter is a coming-of-age story of Gruoch or Lady Macbeth and what made her the way she is in a famous Shakespeare tragedy. It is a story of grand ambition and power and what Gruoch is willing to do to achieve her goals.
I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook at the same time. Both formats are excellent, and I would recommend both.
Thanks to Harper for the advanced copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
January 1, 2024
A fascinating portrayal of the life of Gruoch, who eventually became Queen of Scotland, and was later the inspiration for Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth. Gruoch lived during a time of power struggles and shifting alliances, when Scotland was known as Alba, her Picti (druid) people were slowly fading, of viking and norse invasions, and the ever expanding influence of Christianity. I could not put this down. Beautifully rendered, the author successfully transports us to this time in history. A great story about a woman who was fierce, deeply loved her country and was determined to become queen in order to protect it.
December 24, 2025
Besides the fact that the protagonist was not at all cunning, but incredibly reactive, sometimes plain stupid and no Lady Macbeth whatsoever, this was just badly written. This author has never heard about show don't tell and the prose was as clumsy as the character building.
October 23, 2023
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic copy of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Ever since she was a young child, Gruoch was told by her Druid grandmother that she would be Queen of Alba and hold immense power. When she is betrothed to the heir-elect, Duncan, Gruoch leaves everything behind, including her home, her family and her best friend, MacBethad, to travel to Scone with her fiancé and oversee her soon-to-be kingdom. But deadly fighting breaks out and Gruoch is on the run from Duncan and leaving Scone behind. Her only option is to slip quietly into the shadows or seek vengeance and plot to take the title that she was promised.
“Queen Hereafter” by Isabelle Schuler, is based on the true story of the actual, real-life Lady MacBeth and it’s quite a doozy. Part historical fiction, part fantasy, “Hereafter” is creative, clever and suspenseful.
Gruoch is a young girl whose grandmother was banished when she refused to give up her Druid practices. Now, Gruoch and her mother can only visit her once a year, where they are free to participate in the Druid festivals and rituals. But after Gruoch’s mother dies, she is the one responsible for ensuring her family is safe and comfortable through marriage to Duncan. I wanted to pity Gruoch however she was so feisty and vibrant that I couldn’t help but cheer for her.
I actually did not know that Lord and Lady MacBeth were real people, and that made this novel all the more entertaining. I enjoy retellings as much as the next person but when there’s some historical relevance to the plot and characters, well, I’m on board even more.
Shuler writes beautifully, her language is poetic and yet not complex or confusing, and “Hereafter” flows well. Gruoch’s drive and ambition is inspiring and she is the ideal protagonist. Right from page one I was invested in the characters and, although I had some vague recollection of Lady MacBeth’s end, I was glad to see that Shuler created the ending I wanted. “Hereafter” is a delightfully unique debut, and I can’t wait to see what else Shuler has up her sleeve!
Ever since she was a young child, Gruoch was told by her Druid grandmother that she would be Queen of Alba and hold immense power. When she is betrothed to the heir-elect, Duncan, Gruoch leaves everything behind, including her home, her family and her best friend, MacBethad, to travel to Scone with her fiancé and oversee her soon-to-be kingdom. But deadly fighting breaks out and Gruoch is on the run from Duncan and leaving Scone behind. Her only option is to slip quietly into the shadows or seek vengeance and plot to take the title that she was promised.
“Queen Hereafter” by Isabelle Schuler, is based on the true story of the actual, real-life Lady MacBeth and it’s quite a doozy. Part historical fiction, part fantasy, “Hereafter” is creative, clever and suspenseful.
Gruoch is a young girl whose grandmother was banished when she refused to give up her Druid practices. Now, Gruoch and her mother can only visit her once a year, where they are free to participate in the Druid festivals and rituals. But after Gruoch’s mother dies, she is the one responsible for ensuring her family is safe and comfortable through marriage to Duncan. I wanted to pity Gruoch however she was so feisty and vibrant that I couldn’t help but cheer for her.
I actually did not know that Lord and Lady MacBeth were real people, and that made this novel all the more entertaining. I enjoy retellings as much as the next person but when there’s some historical relevance to the plot and characters, well, I’m on board even more.
Shuler writes beautifully, her language is poetic and yet not complex or confusing, and “Hereafter” flows well. Gruoch’s drive and ambition is inspiring and she is the ideal protagonist. Right from page one I was invested in the characters and, although I had some vague recollection of Lady MacBeth’s end, I was glad to see that Shuler created the ending I wanted. “Hereafter” is a delightfully unique debut, and I can’t wait to see what else Shuler has up her sleeve!
November 6, 2024
Queen Hereafter
landed on my TBR shelf when my Oregon Shakespeare Festival tickets for MacBeth were purchased in early spring. We've been and seen it (again - its one of my favs), and now's the time to crack this open.
It was fascinating to follow Gruoch (her first name) through this narrative to the very moment where the play is ready open its curtains - in other words her backstory, the one I've been missing in story form. Have had it in loads of texts and historical summaries, but never in a juicy, fierce, ice and flame story - and Isabelle Schuler has given more than that in this read. Interesting author's note at book's end - that always pleases me to find out more about motivations and where the notion of a book began.
Shakespeare would give her all the stars, methinks, and would certainly let a woman play the lead after reading this version!
It was fascinating to follow Gruoch (her first name) through this narrative to the very moment where the play is ready open its curtains - in other words her backstory, the one I've been missing in story form. Have had it in loads of texts and historical summaries, but never in a juicy, fierce, ice and flame story - and Isabelle Schuler has given more than that in this read. Interesting author's note at book's end - that always pleases me to find out more about motivations and where the notion of a book began.
Shakespeare would give her all the stars, methinks, and would certainly let a woman play the lead after reading this version!
August 14, 2023
This is historical fiction, telling the story of the real life Lady Macbeth from Shakespeare's play. Gruoch was descended from kings and druids in Scotland circa 1015. She will do whatever it takes to fulfill her destiny of becoming queen.
There is much turmoil within the royal court, as everyone wants to get ahead. Gruoch is betrothed to Duncan, who it seems will be king one day, as the heir apparent to King Malcolm II. But when everything goes awry, and Gruoch is forced to run for her life, she ends up on a path she doesn't want, with a husband she doesn't love or respect. She never forgets her childhood love, Macbethad, and the ambition they share.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it was written in a very easy to read manner, and I was intrigued from start to finish. I loved this snapshot into Scottish history, and I read this at the perfect time: right before I go off on a trip to the UK, where I will be watching Macbeth in Stratford-Upon-Avon and visiting Scotland for a bit. I think anyone who enjoys historical fiction, and specifically Philippa Gregory, will really enjoy this book.
There is much turmoil within the royal court, as everyone wants to get ahead. Gruoch is betrothed to Duncan, who it seems will be king one day, as the heir apparent to King Malcolm II. But when everything goes awry, and Gruoch is forced to run for her life, she ends up on a path she doesn't want, with a husband she doesn't love or respect. She never forgets her childhood love, Macbethad, and the ambition they share.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it was written in a very easy to read manner, and I was intrigued from start to finish. I loved this snapshot into Scottish history, and I read this at the perfect time: right before I go off on a trip to the UK, where I will be watching Macbeth in Stratford-Upon-Avon and visiting Scotland for a bit. I think anyone who enjoys historical fiction, and specifically Philippa Gregory, will really enjoy this book.
Want to read
January 18, 2023if I find out this is a YA retelling I’m gonna get violent
May 11, 2024
3,5 Sterne
Also, an sich habe ich das Buch sehr gerne und interessiert gelesen. Schottland und auch alle Höfe waren spannend beschrieben und generell hat mich die Prophezeiung, dass Gruoch einmal Königin werden wird, sehr beim Lesen angetrieben. Am Ende bleibe ich jedoch ziemlich ratlos zurück. Das Buch teasert viele Figuren an und viele Ausgänge der Geschichte, aber viel davon eingehalten wird am Ende nicht. Die Geschichte endet eigentlich da, wo Shakespeare beginnt und ich denke mir ... da wird es doch erst spannend ... MacBethad war eine Figur, die mir gut gefallen hat, die aber überraschend wenig vorkommt, weshalb auch die Liebesgeschichte vollkommen unzureichend beleuchtet wird. Die Chemie der beiden im Erwachsenenalter stimmt auch leider überhaupt nicht. Der große Punkt, auf den Gruoch hinarbeitet, wird einfach innerhalb dieses Buches nicht erreicht und es fühlt sich einfach ziemlich enttäuschend an. Es fällt mir sehr schwer, das zu bewerten, da ich das Buch die meiste Zeit gerne gelesen habe, das Setting toll war, auch das Pacing gestimmt hat, das meiste spannend erzählt war ... nur am Ende wirkt alles so unrund. Sehr schade, hier wurde viel Potenzial verschenkt!
Also, an sich habe ich das Buch sehr gerne und interessiert gelesen. Schottland und auch alle Höfe waren spannend beschrieben und generell hat mich die Prophezeiung, dass Gruoch einmal Königin werden wird, sehr beim Lesen angetrieben. Am Ende bleibe ich jedoch ziemlich ratlos zurück. Das Buch teasert viele Figuren an und viele Ausgänge der Geschichte, aber viel davon eingehalten wird am Ende nicht. Die Geschichte endet eigentlich da, wo Shakespeare beginnt und ich denke mir ... da wird es doch erst spannend ... MacBethad war eine Figur, die mir gut gefallen hat, die aber überraschend wenig vorkommt, weshalb auch die Liebesgeschichte vollkommen unzureichend beleuchtet wird. Die Chemie der beiden im Erwachsenenalter stimmt auch leider überhaupt nicht. Der große Punkt, auf den Gruoch hinarbeitet, wird einfach innerhalb dieses Buches nicht erreicht und es fühlt sich einfach ziemlich enttäuschend an. Es fällt mir sehr schwer, das zu bewerten, da ich das Buch die meiste Zeit gerne gelesen habe, das Setting toll war, auch das Pacing gestimmt hat, das meiste spannend erzählt war ... nur am Ende wirkt alles so unrund. Sehr schade, hier wurde viel Potenzial verschenkt!
February 22, 2024
3.5 stars
Queen Hereafter takes on the difficult task of blending the legendary portrayal of Lady Macbeth from Shakespeare's (woefully inaccurate) Macbeth with the real-life historical figure, Gruoch. While Schuler's endeavor falls short of perfection, she managed to weave a rich tapestry for this well-known figure of Lady M in the Scottish play.
Schuler's writing truly shines in what she was able to craft of the atmosphere, mood, and setting, resulting in a transportive experience. The story itself felt draped in heavy mists and fog. Also, the commendable angle Schuler sets for her tale is one of reclaiming women's stories in history — imagining a vibrant, capable young woman, whose legacy gets tarnished by her ambition.
Unsurprisingly, not much is known about the real-life Lady Macbeth, especially outside of her fame as the wife and queen of MacBethad mac Findlaích (Macbeth). In Queen Hereafter, Schuler begins with Gruoch as a very young girl, perhaps too young. For the first little bit, I struggled to ascertain her age (which turned out to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 years old), as her level of precociousness placed her more in line with a teenage Disney princess.
Gruoch, the daughter of a deposed king and descendant of ancient druids, grows up with the belief that she is destined to be crowned queen of Alba and restore her Pictish kin's lands. Following her betrothal to Duncan, the heir-elect, she works hard to embrace her new position at the royal court, determined to secure her foretold destiny. Once the political intrigue and betrayal take hold of the plot, something almost inevitable at court, Gruoch's characterization continues to fill out, and you start to glimpse the shaping of someone who will be immortalized through history and in the shielded and shadowy way of Lady M. However, one of the hurdles in reading this, if you're at all familiar with Mackers, is that you know all too well where this plot must take Gruoch, MacBethad, and Duncan. Regardless, Queen Hereafter offers a captivating tale of female ambition, power, and the pursuit of destiny.
Audiobook, as narrated by Sarah Vickers: Vickers did a great job, holding on to the atmosphere through your delivery can be difficult, but it's so important with a book like this, covering history from so long ago, and she masterfully anchored the story through her performance.
Queen Hereafter takes on the difficult task of blending the legendary portrayal of Lady Macbeth from Shakespeare's (woefully inaccurate) Macbeth with the real-life historical figure, Gruoch. While Schuler's endeavor falls short of perfection, she managed to weave a rich tapestry for this well-known figure of Lady M in the Scottish play.
Schuler's writing truly shines in what she was able to craft of the atmosphere, mood, and setting, resulting in a transportive experience. The story itself felt draped in heavy mists and fog. Also, the commendable angle Schuler sets for her tale is one of reclaiming women's stories in history — imagining a vibrant, capable young woman, whose legacy gets tarnished by her ambition.
Unsurprisingly, not much is known about the real-life Lady Macbeth, especially outside of her fame as the wife and queen of MacBethad mac Findlaích (Macbeth). In Queen Hereafter, Schuler begins with Gruoch as a very young girl, perhaps too young. For the first little bit, I struggled to ascertain her age (which turned out to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 years old), as her level of precociousness placed her more in line with a teenage Disney princess.
Gruoch, the daughter of a deposed king and descendant of ancient druids, grows up with the belief that she is destined to be crowned queen of Alba and restore her Pictish kin's lands. Following her betrothal to Duncan, the heir-elect, she works hard to embrace her new position at the royal court, determined to secure her foretold destiny. Once the political intrigue and betrayal take hold of the plot, something almost inevitable at court, Gruoch's characterization continues to fill out, and you start to glimpse the shaping of someone who will be immortalized through history and in the shielded and shadowy way of Lady M. However, one of the hurdles in reading this, if you're at all familiar with Mackers, is that you know all too well where this plot must take Gruoch, MacBethad, and Duncan. Regardless, Queen Hereafter offers a captivating tale of female ambition, power, and the pursuit of destiny.
Audiobook, as narrated by Sarah Vickers: Vickers did a great job, holding on to the atmosphere through your delivery can be difficult, but it's so important with a book like this, covering history from so long ago, and she masterfully anchored the story through her performance.
Read
March 10, 2023DNF at roughly 25%.
Unfortunately this story did nothing for me, I really couldn't get it into it. I found the style a little too dry (but not in a way that felt intentional) and the plotting very surface level. Maybe at some point it picks up and becomes absolutely incredible, but I could not care about it enough to stick around and see for myself.
Unfortunately this story did nothing for me, I really couldn't get it into it. I found the style a little too dry (but not in a way that felt intentional) and the plotting very surface level. Maybe at some point it picks up and becomes absolutely incredible, but I could not care about it enough to stick around and see for myself.
July 9, 2023
I thought this was very engaging and I was totally hooked after the first chapter.I loved the plot and how it wove real life details with a more imaginative story line.I felt the author really captured the violence of the times in which Lady Macbeth lived which helped you to understand her character better.It was a pleasure to read and I hope to see a sequel.
May 28, 2023
Redeeming quality is the pretty front cover.
October 11, 2024
can i please have a five star lady macbeth centric book??? PLEASE!!!! just one!!!
disclaimer: i do not delight in writing reviews like this. honestly. i hate when i don't love a book the way i want to and i understand the crowd who are like authors can read your reviews and may be hurt by them! i promise, i don't write them with that intention. but i do think it's important to share what made it fall short so others can be aware and make their own calls on if they want to read it so here we are:
2.5 really. it was incredibly mid and should really be ya. the narrative voice is very weak and dry, which works at times but doesn't as gruoch gets older (which, by the way, time is incredibly confusing in this and is clearly meant to be seen not read). the narrative doesn't do nearly enough work building the characters, though considering this started as a screenplay, maybe that's why. the ending is not as exciting as it could have been as a result and and as an entirety the book is pretty lackluster. i'm not well versed in history, but a lot of reviews are saying it's not the best in that aspect either so just keep that in mind if you're a history buff.
as rings true for a lot of shakespeare adaptations these days: if you are familiar with the plays and want to see character personalities and traits being honored, this may not be for you. gruoch here, though obviously meant to be inspired by the historical lady macbeth, is nothing like the lady macbeth we know and love from shakespeare's text.
if anyone has good adult lady macbeth retellings.... please.... send them my way
disclaimer: i do not delight in writing reviews like this. honestly. i hate when i don't love a book the way i want to and i understand the crowd who are like authors can read your reviews and may be hurt by them! i promise, i don't write them with that intention. but i do think it's important to share what made it fall short so others can be aware and make their own calls on if they want to read it so here we are:
2.5 really. it was incredibly mid and should really be ya. the narrative voice is very weak and dry, which works at times but doesn't as gruoch gets older (which, by the way, time is incredibly confusing in this and is clearly meant to be seen not read). the narrative doesn't do nearly enough work building the characters, though considering this started as a screenplay, maybe that's why. the ending is not as exciting as it could have been as a result and and as an entirety the book is pretty lackluster. i'm not well versed in history, but a lot of reviews are saying it's not the best in that aspect either so just keep that in mind if you're a history buff.
as rings true for a lot of shakespeare adaptations these days: if you are familiar with the plays and want to see character personalities and traits being honored, this may not be for you. gruoch here, though obviously meant to be inspired by the historical lady macbeth, is nothing like the lady macbeth we know and love from shakespeare's text.
if anyone has good adult lady macbeth retellings.... please.... send them my way
September 8, 2025
I was intrigued by the notion of the backstory of Lady Macbeth and eager to read Queen Hereafter as soon as I heard of it . Sadly my expectations were far too high. Yet another example of a young writer way out of her depth.
While it is an entertaining enough romp, it should have been so much more. The lack of historical authenticity is unacceptable - readers deserve better because they know these things! The chronology of early medieval Scotland is all over the place while the Christian/Druid conflict is anachronistic. It is unconvincing as a context for the magic and prophesy in the play- and oddly disappears mid way through, yet another idea that isn’t developed and ultimately goes nowhere. And then comes the ‘bedding ceremonies’ which appear to require rape in front of a bishop. Where does Schuler get this notion? Alan Rickman’s Sheriff of Nottingham as a source?
But more than that, the novel lacks the narrative power to do justice to the elemental events of the great tragedy of Macbeth, which requires a much more skilful author with at least an understanding of the complexities of both history and literary creation.
By the time it winds its rambling and unnecessarily complicated way to the inevitable conclusion, the one dimensional characters - none of whom are memorable or likeable- bear no relation to the world of the play. So much potential wasted.
While it is an entertaining enough romp, it should have been so much more. The lack of historical authenticity is unacceptable - readers deserve better because they know these things! The chronology of early medieval Scotland is all over the place while the Christian/Druid conflict is anachronistic. It is unconvincing as a context for the magic and prophesy in the play- and oddly disappears mid way through, yet another idea that isn’t developed and ultimately goes nowhere. And then comes the ‘bedding ceremonies’ which appear to require rape in front of a bishop. Where does Schuler get this notion? Alan Rickman’s Sheriff of Nottingham as a source?
But more than that, the novel lacks the narrative power to do justice to the elemental events of the great tragedy of Macbeth, which requires a much more skilful author with at least an understanding of the complexities of both history and literary creation.
By the time it winds its rambling and unnecessarily complicated way to the inevitable conclusion, the one dimensional characters - none of whom are memorable or likeable- bear no relation to the world of the play. So much potential wasted.
August 5, 2024
I can deal with a selfish character but I can't deal with a stupid one too...
This was so hard to get through because Gruoch(Groa) was just so stupid and so in love with herself that at some point I was hoping for her just to marry herself and save us the trouble of anyone having to deal with her.
The way not one female characters in this was developed besides Gruoch(Groa)is surprising since this was marketed as a feminist retelling.
Gruoch(Groa) though of any girl that she saw as whores...
I was wondering throughout the book how old she was cause she behaved like a child all the time.
I do not know why she wanted to be Queen besides this begin her destiny,like tell me why you want it,why you think you deserve it so much?
The only redeeming point of this book was her relationship with MacBethad.
I did not read Shakespeare's The Tragedie of Macbeth but I do not think the the real life Queen that Shakespeare based Lady Macbeth on was this utterly stupid .
This was so hard to get through because Gruoch(Groa) was just so stupid and so in love with herself that at some point I was hoping for her just to marry herself and save us the trouble of anyone having to deal with her.
The way not one female characters in this was developed besides Gruoch(Groa)is surprising since this was marketed as a feminist retelling.
Gruoch(Groa) though of any girl that she saw as whores...
I was wondering throughout the book how old she was cause she behaved like a child all the time.
I do not know why she wanted to be Queen besides this begin her destiny,like tell me why you want it,why you think you deserve it so much?
The only redeeming point of this book was her relationship with MacBethad.
I did not read Shakespeare's The Tragedie of Macbeth but I do not think the the real life Queen that Shakespeare based Lady Macbeth on was this utterly stupid .
December 18, 2022
I've got slightly bored of the current fad for 'retellings' recently after one too many Greek myth-based novels, but this one was a pleasant surprise. It's basically the origin story of Lady MacBeth - finishing at the point she gets married - and made for a great read. She's a really compelling character, and because the book doesn't cover the same ground as the Shakespeare play, I didn't have any sense of 'what's the point of reading this because I know how it will end'. Definitely one I'd recommend, and in fact if the author ever did produce a sequel covering the stuff that happens in the play, I would read it in order to spend more time with these characters.
Thanks to her, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Thanks to her, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.
November 5, 2023
Lady Macbeth [speaking about Gruoch]: "I don't know her."
I know that this is supposed to be based on the woman who inspired Shakespeare rather than the character of Lady Macbeth herself. But all the same, it's inevitable to make comparisons when Gruoch is the inspiration for the character that Shakespeare wrote. Lady Macbeth was a chessmaster: cunning, always three steps ahead, had a maturity and a grace to her. Gruoch was... none of these. She was naive, selfish, lacked depth or any sort of self-awareness and was all around one-dimensional. I have a hard time believing that Gruoch could ever become Lady Macbeth.
I'm not even going to get into the mashup of timelines and historical innacuracies because I wouldn't even know where to begin.
I know that this is supposed to be based on the woman who inspired Shakespeare rather than the character of Lady Macbeth herself. But all the same, it's inevitable to make comparisons when Gruoch is the inspiration for the character that Shakespeare wrote. Lady Macbeth was a chessmaster: cunning, always three steps ahead, had a maturity and a grace to her. Gruoch was... none of these. She was naive, selfish, lacked depth or any sort of self-awareness and was all around one-dimensional. I have a hard time believing that Gruoch could ever become Lady Macbeth.
I'm not even going to get into the mashup of timelines and historical innacuracies because I wouldn't even know where to begin.
January 29, 2023
I consumed this book in a couple of days. Yes there was a link to Shakespeares Macbeth but the link was not complex or even noticeable except at different times in the book. Really loved this and a change from my normal genre of book at the minute. Highly recommend. 5 starts.
March 11, 2023
Phenomenal book, best read of 2023 so far ( I've read about 15 books to date). Well written page turner with some great characters.i'll be watching out for this author in the future. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
February 26, 2024
Desde que el libro salió en inglés que me llamaba mucho la atención por estar inspirado en uno de los personajes de Shakespeare: Lady Macbeth. Esta historia es su pasado, y termina justo en donde comenzaría la tragedia de MacBeth y tenía mucha curiosidad a ver que aspectos tomaba la autora para contarnos su historia y la verdad que superó mis expectativas.
Lady MacBethad nos cuenta la vida de Groch, una hija de un rey destronado y descendiente de druidas a quien su abuela le da una profecía en un ritual pagano diciéndole que algún día alcanzará la grandeza en la realeza escocesa y dispuesta a llegar al trono y coronarse como reina hará todo lo que esté en su poder para conseguirlo.
En una época donde la influencia de las mujeres debía ser avalada por un hombre o de lo contrario era inexistente, la autora nos presenta una versión muy feminista con un personaje fuerte que a los golpes va aprendiendo a reinventarse luego de las piedras que van cruzándose en su camino. Con una profecía como guía, Grouch va buscando el mejor camino posible en un mundo de traiciones y mentiras, donde cada persona se preocupa únicamente su bien personal.
La cantidad de giros que tiene esta historia es lo que más engancha, las situaciones pueden cambiar de un día para el otro y la pequeña Grouch va creciendo y forjando su propio destino. Pasaron cosas que no imaginaba, y madre mia EL DRAMA que se vivía en las cortes era tremendo, me mantuvo super atrapada a sus páginas y alentándola hasta el final. Su ambición traspasa las páginas y todo el grupo de personajes crean una red super entretenida que uno quiere desenredar.
Sepan que esta no es una historia de amor, tiene algunas escenas adultas, pero para nada explícitas, todo muy de acuerdo con la época así que estén atentos a eso. Este libro va por el lado de los conflictos políticos y hasta donde está uno dispuesto a llegar por cumplir su destino remarcando el papel de las mujeres y su influencia que ha quedado desdibujado cuando el foco se pone en los hombres.
La verdad que recomiendo mucho darle una oportunidad si les gustan este tipo de historias!
July 19, 2023
Inspired by the 'Lady Macbeth' character, this is a sort of retelling of a strong and fierce woman.
The book takes you through the eventful years of a Gruoch, who is driven by her grandmother's prophecy that promises her to be the greatest ruler of Alba. With her stern determination to do anything it takes to reach that position of power, she overcomes every obstacle that fate has placed her way.
Happy to share that the book had a lasting impression and after days of reading, I am still thinking about Gruoch's zeal for survival. Considering the timelines around which the book is based around, the behaviour of mothers training their daughters to be Damsels, men ruling the world, was captured in a picture-perfect mode.
The story, however, felt more inspired by Macbeth than a retelling of Lady Macbeth, as this book discusses events that happened before Gruoch became Lady Macbeth. And I felt this part needs to be clarified to the readers to set the right expectations.
Thank you @this_is_edelweiss @harperperennial and @harperaudio for the e-ARC and Audio ARC.
Genre: #fantasy #historicalfiction #medival #feminism
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
The book takes you through the eventful years of a Gruoch, who is driven by her grandmother's prophecy that promises her to be the greatest ruler of Alba. With her stern determination to do anything it takes to reach that position of power, she overcomes every obstacle that fate has placed her way.
Happy to share that the book had a lasting impression and after days of reading, I am still thinking about Gruoch's zeal for survival. Considering the timelines around which the book is based around, the behaviour of mothers training their daughters to be Damsels, men ruling the world, was captured in a picture-perfect mode.
The story, however, felt more inspired by Macbeth than a retelling of Lady Macbeth, as this book discusses events that happened before Gruoch became Lady Macbeth. And I felt this part needs to be clarified to the readers to set the right expectations.
Thank you @this_is_edelweiss @harperperennial and @harperaudio for the e-ARC and Audio ARC.
Genre: #fantasy #historicalfiction #medival #feminism
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
November 26, 2025
La prima parte molto carina, poi noiosissimo fino alle ultime pagine. Personaggi monodensionali, tutto in funzione della protagonista che rimane comunque, anche lei, shallow come una pozzanghera.
Menzione speciale per il continuo tentativo di esaminare le figure femminili a discapito delle altre perché vogliamo scrivere il libro femminista, il problema é che non ci si riesce in questo modo.
Menzione speciale per il continuo tentativo di esaminare le figure femminili a discapito delle altre perché vogliamo scrivere il libro femminista, il problema é che non ci si riesce in questo modo.
May 22, 2024
Disfruté mucho este libro, honestamente, tenía nociones de que era lady Macbeth, pero no estaba del todo segura. Es la historia de la infancia de Gruoch, la mujer real en la que se basó la icónica villana de Shakespeare, de la que no se sabe mucho, con un poco de la personalidad (o la proto-personalidad) que le conocimos en la famosa obra.
Gruoch es la nieta de un rey destronado con sangre druida en sus sangres. Desde pequeña sabía que el trono era algo que le arrebataron, a lo que se sumó que su misma abuela le profetizó que un día sería reina y hará todo lo necesario para conseguirlo.
El libro estaba narrado por la misma Gruoch, desde su infancia hasta que se convirtió en lady Macbethad. Gruoch nos presentó su infancia con la madre que le enseñó a adorar sus dioses y costumbres antiguas, la abuela que era la mayor representación de esto y el cómo fue obligada a adaptarse a nuevas costumbres. La historia se tomó su tiempo para desarrollar la personalidad de la protagonista y explicarnos de dónde venía esta ambición, que no se sintió injustificada o solo un intento de mostrar la versión joven de la villana.
La historia transcurrió en Escocia, en tiempos complicados con los reyes y cambios bruscos de gobernantes. Época en que las mujeres eran medios para asegurar tronos y alianzas. En ese mundo, Gruoch decidió que quería ser reina de Escocia, por su pueblo, para devolverlos a la gloria que les pertenecía, aunque eso significara renunciar a lo que podría hacerla feliz.
Fue interesante la personalidad de Gruoch, pues era esta chica sin mucho mundo, pero completamente segura de que estaba destinada a más y que tenía que hacer todo lo que podía para conseguirlo. Construyó toda su vida pensando en ese trono, todas las decisiones que tomó para bien o para mal estaban relacionadas con esto. Es cierto que durante gran parte del libro no estuvo a cargo de su vida, pero era lógico, era muy joven y fue cuando todo empezó a salir más que pudo decidir por su cuenta y negociar formas para acercarse a lo que anhelaba.
Fue interesante que no era la lady Macbeth que leímos en la obra de Shakespeare, pero, al mismo tiempo, sí que era posible imaginar a esa niña/adolescente convertirse en una de las villanas más icónicas de la literatura. A la vez, tenía la ambición por el trono, pero no solo por ambición, tenía que ver con su herencia y sentido de pertenencia. Era un personaje al que, si no supiera lo que sucede, apoyaría para que obtuviera el trono.
Otro punto que me gustó tuvo que ver con la forma en que Gruoch se adueñó de su sexualidad, tanto para su placer como una forma de escalar hacia el trono. Pudo ser una historia de cómo era vendida por su padre, de como su esposo abusaba de ella u otros personajes que la engañaban para abusar de ella. Pero no, Gruoch buscaba su propio placer, lo experimentó y decidió ir por él de forma astuta, y luego, incluso en el matrimonio, buscó una forma de estar satisfecha.
No sé de historia de Escocia así que no podría opinar al respecto sobre qué tan adecuado es a la época o a lo que sucedió, lo siento. Solo diré que si bien se habló de cierta magia druida, de celebraciones y cosas relacionadas, jamás fue algo que efectivamente ocurriera o si lo hizo, fue de una forma muy sutil que podría ser casualidad.
Lady Macbethad es una historia de origen de la que probablemente sea la villana más icónica de Shakespeare, pero tomando como base la mujer real en que se basó. Una historia de ambición femenina, pero también de una chica intentando abrirse su camino en un mundo que la ve solo como un medio de hacer alianzas.
Gruoch es la nieta de un rey destronado con sangre druida en sus sangres. Desde pequeña sabía que el trono era algo que le arrebataron, a lo que se sumó que su misma abuela le profetizó que un día sería reina y hará todo lo necesario para conseguirlo.
"La influencia es algo que se gana y se pierde con suma facilidad, mas el poder nunca desaparece".
El libro estaba narrado por la misma Gruoch, desde su infancia hasta que se convirtió en lady Macbethad. Gruoch nos presentó su infancia con la madre que le enseñó a adorar sus dioses y costumbres antiguas, la abuela que era la mayor representación de esto y el cómo fue obligada a adaptarse a nuevas costumbres. La historia se tomó su tiempo para desarrollar la personalidad de la protagonista y explicarnos de dónde venía esta ambición, que no se sintió injustificada o solo un intento de mostrar la versión joven de la villana.
La historia transcurrió en Escocia, en tiempos complicados con los reyes y cambios bruscos de gobernantes. Época en que las mujeres eran medios para asegurar tronos y alianzas. En ese mundo, Gruoch decidió que quería ser reina de Escocia, por su pueblo, para devolverlos a la gloria que les pertenecía, aunque eso significara renunciar a lo que podría hacerla feliz.
Fue interesante la personalidad de Gruoch, pues era esta chica sin mucho mundo, pero completamente segura de que estaba destinada a más y que tenía que hacer todo lo que podía para conseguirlo. Construyó toda su vida pensando en ese trono, todas las decisiones que tomó para bien o para mal estaban relacionadas con esto. Es cierto que durante gran parte del libro no estuvo a cargo de su vida, pero era lógico, era muy joven y fue cuando todo empezó a salir más que pudo decidir por su cuenta y negociar formas para acercarse a lo que anhelaba.
"La esperanza, qué sentimiento más peligroso. Pensé en lo mucho que habían podido manipularme a lo largo de toda la vida por la esperanza falsa que mi abuela había plantado en mí".
Fue interesante que no era la lady Macbeth que leímos en la obra de Shakespeare, pero, al mismo tiempo, sí que era posible imaginar a esa niña/adolescente convertirse en una de las villanas más icónicas de la literatura. A la vez, tenía la ambición por el trono, pero no solo por ambición, tenía que ver con su herencia y sentido de pertenencia. Era un personaje al que, si no supiera lo que sucede, apoyaría para que obtuviera el trono.
Otro punto que me gustó tuvo que ver con la forma en que Gruoch se adueñó de su sexualidad, tanto para su placer como una forma de escalar hacia el trono. Pudo ser una historia de cómo era vendida por su padre, de como su esposo abusaba de ella u otros personajes que la engañaban para abusar de ella. Pero no, Gruoch buscaba su propio placer, lo experimentó y decidió ir por él de forma astuta, y luego, incluso en el matrimonio, buscó una forma de estar satisfecha.
No sé de historia de Escocia así que no podría opinar al respecto sobre qué tan adecuado es a la época o a lo que sucedió, lo siento. Solo diré que si bien se habló de cierta magia druida, de celebraciones y cosas relacionadas, jamás fue algo que efectivamente ocurriera o si lo hizo, fue de una forma muy sutil que podría ser casualidad.
"Me han lanzado de un lado para otro toda la vida (...). Y cada vez vuelvo a crearme a mí misma. Cada vez resurjo de las cenizas y me forjo una nueva vida. Mi propia existencia desafía a aquellos que han querido matarme. No tengo el lujo de saber a quién o qué deseo, más allá de sobrevivir a lo que me depare cada día. Ni siquiera sabría por dónde empezar".
Lady Macbethad es una historia de origen de la que probablemente sea la villana más icónica de Shakespeare, pero tomando como base la mujer real en que se basó. Una historia de ambición femenina, pero también de una chica intentando abrirse su camino en un mundo que la ve solo como un medio de hacer alianzas.
June 26, 2023
Im Königreich Alba im 11. Jahrhundert erhält Gruoch eine Prophezeiung: Sie wird eines Tages Königin und verewigt werden. Angetrieben von diesen Worten wird dies ihr einziges Ziel, für das sie bereit ist, fast alles zu opfern - auch ihre Gefühle für ihren Jugendfreund Macbeth, als sie die Chance bekommt, sich mit dem Thronfolger Duncan zu verloben. Doch als sie mit diesem nach Scone reist, merkt sie schnell, dass sie nicht für die Hofpolitik und Intrigen gewappnet ist.
Ich persönlich fand dieses Buch leider zeitweise eher anstrengend zu lesen. Dies lag hauptsächlich an zwei Gründen. Der größere war für mich definitiv der Schreibstil - dieser wirkte allgemein sehr distanziert. Zudem wurden nur sehr selten Szenen tatsächlich gezeigt. Meistens erzählte Gruoch lange Zeitspannen im Schnelldurchgang, ohne dass ich als Leserin ein wirkliches Gefühl für die Orte und Menschen um sie herum bekommen konnte. Zuerst dachte ich, dass dies vielleicht nur ihre Kindheit betreffen würde, aber leider wurde das gesamte Buch bis zum Ende auf diese Weise erzählt.
Der zweite Grund, den ich etwas anstrengend fand, war Gruoch selbst. Sie war sehr eindimensional dargestellt und ihre Handlungen wirkten oft eher wie zufällig ausgewählt. Ihr gesamter Charakter basierte auf dem Ziel, Königin zu werden, allerdings schien es nicht so, als ob sie sich jemals Gedanken darüber gemacht hätte, wie dies geschehen sollte. Sie ist regelmäßig geradezu überrascht, wenn ihr Leute sagen, dass sie als Frau dazu einen entsprechenden Mann heiraten muss. Und auch wenn ich ihren Wunsch, einfach so Königin, ohne Mann, zu werden, nachvollziehen konnte, hätte ich mir gewünscht, dass sie dann darüber nachgedacht hätte, wie sie dies erreichen könnte, anstatt immer wieder überrascht davon zu sein, dass manche Dinge in der Gesellschaft, in der sie lebt nicht so einfach funktionieren.
Gruoch ist zudem auch noch extrem unsympathisch dargestellt. Teils wirkt sie, als ob ihr alle Menschen um sie herum komplett egal wären. Und ich kann mir vorstellen, dass genau das das Ziel der Autorin war – eine meisterhafte Manipulatorin, für die alle anderen nur Werkzeuge sind. Leider ist sie aber eher naiv und muss ständig von anderen gerettet werden. Ich hatte hier leider das Gefühl, dass der Charakter, den ich erlebt habe weit von dem entfernt war, den die Autorin hier schreiben wollte und konnte einfach nicht nachvollziehen, wieso gewisse Charaktere ihr trotzdem immer wieder geholfen haben.
Dennoch gab es einige spannende Nebencharaktere im Buch, auch wenn diese leider eher blass blieben, aufgrund der Probleme mit dem Schreibstil. Ich hätte mir gewünscht, dass das Potenzial hier ausgeschöpft worden wäre.
Was mir insgesamt trotz allem gut gefallen hat, war die Geschichte. Die Autorin hat sich an der historischen Figur Gruoch orientiert, welche die Vorlage für Lady Macbeth war. Ihr Leben nachzuverfolgen, ihre Einstellung zu den Religionen in ihrem Leben und so vieles mehr - und dann selbst zu recherchieren - hat mich sehr fasziniert.
Bei meiner Recherche sind mir allerdings ein paar Ungereimtheiten aufgefallen, insbesondere was die Pikten angeht. Ich kann dabei jedoch nicht beurteilen, ob die Autorin sich hier künstlerische Freiheiten genommen hat, oder ob sie einfach besser recherchiert hat als ich.
Etwas unwohl habe ich mich leider mit der Homophobie im Buch gefühlt. Es gab einen schwulen Charakter und Gruoch verachtete diesen dafür, ebenso wie andere Charaktere. Diese Darstellung ist für die dargestellte Zeit und Gesellschaft natürlich verständlich. Was weniger verständlich ist, ist dass der Charakter so geschrieben war, dass er jedes negative Klischee auch tatsächlich erfüllte und daher von den Lesenden ebenso angesehen werden sollte. Ich hätte mir hier etwas mehr Reflektion von Seiten der Autorin gewünscht.
Fazit:
„Ich, Lady Macbeth“ hatte durchaus Potenzial, konnte mich aber leider nicht überzeugen. Dies lag hauptsächlich am Schreibstil und der ungenügend ausgereiften Protagonistin, allerdings haben Probleme, wie etwa eine homophobe Darstellung eines Charakters ebenfalls dazu beigetragen.
Ich persönlich fand dieses Buch leider zeitweise eher anstrengend zu lesen. Dies lag hauptsächlich an zwei Gründen. Der größere war für mich definitiv der Schreibstil - dieser wirkte allgemein sehr distanziert. Zudem wurden nur sehr selten Szenen tatsächlich gezeigt. Meistens erzählte Gruoch lange Zeitspannen im Schnelldurchgang, ohne dass ich als Leserin ein wirkliches Gefühl für die Orte und Menschen um sie herum bekommen konnte. Zuerst dachte ich, dass dies vielleicht nur ihre Kindheit betreffen würde, aber leider wurde das gesamte Buch bis zum Ende auf diese Weise erzählt.
Der zweite Grund, den ich etwas anstrengend fand, war Gruoch selbst. Sie war sehr eindimensional dargestellt und ihre Handlungen wirkten oft eher wie zufällig ausgewählt. Ihr gesamter Charakter basierte auf dem Ziel, Königin zu werden, allerdings schien es nicht so, als ob sie sich jemals Gedanken darüber gemacht hätte, wie dies geschehen sollte. Sie ist regelmäßig geradezu überrascht, wenn ihr Leute sagen, dass sie als Frau dazu einen entsprechenden Mann heiraten muss. Und auch wenn ich ihren Wunsch, einfach so Königin, ohne Mann, zu werden, nachvollziehen konnte, hätte ich mir gewünscht, dass sie dann darüber nachgedacht hätte, wie sie dies erreichen könnte, anstatt immer wieder überrascht davon zu sein, dass manche Dinge in der Gesellschaft, in der sie lebt nicht so einfach funktionieren.
Gruoch ist zudem auch noch extrem unsympathisch dargestellt. Teils wirkt sie, als ob ihr alle Menschen um sie herum komplett egal wären. Und ich kann mir vorstellen, dass genau das das Ziel der Autorin war – eine meisterhafte Manipulatorin, für die alle anderen nur Werkzeuge sind. Leider ist sie aber eher naiv und muss ständig von anderen gerettet werden. Ich hatte hier leider das Gefühl, dass der Charakter, den ich erlebt habe weit von dem entfernt war, den die Autorin hier schreiben wollte und konnte einfach nicht nachvollziehen, wieso gewisse Charaktere ihr trotzdem immer wieder geholfen haben.
Dennoch gab es einige spannende Nebencharaktere im Buch, auch wenn diese leider eher blass blieben, aufgrund der Probleme mit dem Schreibstil. Ich hätte mir gewünscht, dass das Potenzial hier ausgeschöpft worden wäre.
Was mir insgesamt trotz allem gut gefallen hat, war die Geschichte. Die Autorin hat sich an der historischen Figur Gruoch orientiert, welche die Vorlage für Lady Macbeth war. Ihr Leben nachzuverfolgen, ihre Einstellung zu den Religionen in ihrem Leben und so vieles mehr - und dann selbst zu recherchieren - hat mich sehr fasziniert.
Bei meiner Recherche sind mir allerdings ein paar Ungereimtheiten aufgefallen, insbesondere was die Pikten angeht. Ich kann dabei jedoch nicht beurteilen, ob die Autorin sich hier künstlerische Freiheiten genommen hat, oder ob sie einfach besser recherchiert hat als ich.
Etwas unwohl habe ich mich leider mit der Homophobie im Buch gefühlt. Es gab einen schwulen Charakter und Gruoch verachtete diesen dafür, ebenso wie andere Charaktere. Diese Darstellung ist für die dargestellte Zeit und Gesellschaft natürlich verständlich. Was weniger verständlich ist, ist dass der Charakter so geschrieben war, dass er jedes negative Klischee auch tatsächlich erfüllte und daher von den Lesenden ebenso angesehen werden sollte. Ich hätte mir hier etwas mehr Reflektion von Seiten der Autorin gewünscht.
Fazit:
„Ich, Lady Macbeth“ hatte durchaus Potenzial, konnte mich aber leider nicht überzeugen. Dies lag hauptsächlich am Schreibstil und der ungenügend ausgereiften Protagonistin, allerdings haben Probleme, wie etwa eine homophobe Darstellung eines Charakters ebenfalls dazu beigetragen.
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