The story of Lady Macbeth retold as a romantasy

Writing a remake is always a risky proposition.

- Ong Sor Fern

On the one hand, there is the ready-made brand draw of a well-known story. On the other hand, the author has to contend with the limitations of reader expectations and a set plotline.

Lady Macbeth is the second feminist-inflected retelling of one of William Shakespeare's most ambivalent women in as many years. At first blush, Ava Reid's approach seems similar to Isabelle Schuler's 2023 Lady MacBethad, opting for historical detailing to flesh out the story of the ambitious wife who inspires her husband to the bloodiest means to a social-climbing end.

The book opens promisingly with a question, "Lady?", asked by the servant Hawise of her mistress Lady Roscille, also known as Roscele, Rosalie, Roscilla and the Lady. This opening gambit introduces the themes of gender, class and identity that will dominate the narrative.

The various names of the Lady map the linguistic, geographical and political boundaries of French, Anglo-Saxon and Scottish territories she crosses in her journey from her native Breizh to Alba in order to marry Macbeth, thane of Glamis.