Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
Ava Reid captures engaging fantasy worlds and the human condition in her writing. Part of this is due to her background, with a degree in political science that focused on religion and ethnonationalism.
Her writing reflects her vast knowledge of such topics so well, that one can feel any of her characters’ thoughts and understand how they come to make their decisions.
Readers will devour Reid’s books, and they will leave having learned something new not just about themselves, but also about society. Her books cover societal themes that, though at times are hard to face, are essential for us to learn about.
Novels such as A Study in Drowning, her first YA, as well as her debut The Wolf and the Woodsman, tackle serious themes that are as thought-provoking as they are haunting.
In her new novel, Lady Macbeth, Ava Reid gives readers a deeper look into the past of this classic character and reimagines what could’ve been different in her world.
A Satisfying Twist in the Retelling of a Classic
Roscille is the woman who will eventually marry into her name and title of Lady Macbeth. Much like Shakespeare’s original character, she refuses to bow down to powerful men who try to control her life. This stems from a complicated past where she had no say.
Readers will sense that Roscille is a dedicated woman, one who refuses to repeat a past where she was controlled by her father — a past that led her to be cursed by a witch. Her cruel father’s goal was to grant Roscille powers that would help him succeed in the political world. Ever since then, she vowed to not be forced into a future without autonomy.
Roscille is happy to take advantage of her looks, which she knows she can use to her advantage. She is a woman with a plan, and that plan is to find her own way. She is not just bold, she also knows how to read and control a room.
Readers will be truly invested in the fact that Roscille, soon-to-be Lady Macbeth, is a strong woman. She does not bend to anyone’s will and knows that her powers can rival others. She is not afraid to plan or to manipulate in order to gain respect and power. She accepts her past trauma and tries to find a way to disconnect herself from a time in her life when a man tried to control her destiny.
Lessons of Shunning Patriarchy and Finding One’s Way
Readers who haven’t read Shakespeare’s Macbeth can still read this novel and enjoy it. The themes are clear, relatable and powerful in their delivery.
From the start, Reid’s Lady Macbeth, Roscille, is a character with clear intentions — to set aside societal norms that a lady should not be forced to follow. The relationship between Roscille and her husband, Macbeth, is a true power struggle between two personalities and sides of a coin.
While Macbeth believes he has her under his control and can use her for his own gains, it is Lady Macbeth who holds the power. It is obvious that their relationship has not started from any sort of romantic background. Yet, do not expect a full lack of romantic elements in the story — there are some.
Lady Macbeth is focused on reigning and not letting men take over a woman’s role. She is led through a challenging road full of doubt and at times questions herself, leading to loneliness and sadness. She is tired of bloody fights against others who are equally hungry for power. But still, she remains tough.
Lady Macbeth is an immersive and beautifully written story that weaves magic, Scottish folklore and even mixes in mythical creatures to add elements of fantasy. I’d highly recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction with a blend of fantasy and realism throughout.
About Ava Reid:
Ava Reid was born in Manhattan and raised right across the Hudson River in Hoboken, but currently lives in Palo Alto, where the weather is too sunny and the people are too friendly. She has a degree in political science from Barnard College, focusing on religion and ethnonationalism. She has worked for a refugee resettlement organization, for a U.S. senator, and, most recently, for an AI robotics startup. She is represented by Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord. The Wolf and the Woodsman is her debut novel.
