Lady Macbeth

I had high hopes for Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid, but I was a bit disappointed with how loosely it sticks to the source material. While Lady Macbeth retains her background and some of her power, she ultimately becomes a demure woman defined by the men around her, rather than the fierce, manipulative force we know from Shakespeare. In the original play, Lady Macbeth is a great villainess who emasculates Macbeth with nearly every interaction, driving much of the tragedy's tension. However, Reid's retelling softens her character considerably, which didn't align with my expectations.

That said, I suppose that's the point—considering a story written by a man in those times is more likely to cast a woman as crazed and a villain. Reid offers an interesting exploration of Lady Macbeth's psyche, challenging the traditional narrative and presenting a more nuanced character. It's still a good read with its own merits, just not the dark, power-driven narrative I was hoping for. If you're looking for a fresh take on Macbeth, this might be for you—just be prepared for a much more subdued Lady Macbeth.