A reader who enjoys Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid would likely appreciate historical retellings with a feminist twist, akin to fans of Circe by Madeline Miller or The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker. They relish character-driven narratives and explorations of powerful women reshaping their destinies.

Dark / Mysterious / Unnerving / Emotional / Contemplative

**Roscille**  
The protagonist of the story, a woman navigating a dangerous world and facing challenges that test her identity and agency. She is known for her beauty and magical abilities.

**Macbeth**  
The primary antagonist, a powerful and ambitious leader whose violent endeavors strongly impact Roscille's journey. He is characterized by his physical presence and scars from battle.

**Lisander**  
Roscille's love interest and King Duncane's eldest son, who turns into a dragon when he sleeps. His relationship with Roscille introduces hope into the narrative.

**Hawise**  
Roscille's maid and initial companion on her journey to Scotland, representing the status of women as objects in a male-dominated world.

**Senga**  
Roscille's handmaiden in the second half of the book who serves as her companion and ally, helping her navigate a patriarchal environment.

**The Three Witches**  
Characters linked to Macbeth's ambitions and prophecies, serving a key role in the supernatural elements of the plot.

**Banquho**  
Macbeth’s right-hand man, a warrior whose ambition and cruelty make him an obstacle to Roscille.

**Fléance**  
Banquho's son who exhibits ambition and violence but is manipulated by Roscille at one point in the story.

**Duncane**  
The king of Scotland at the beginning of the book, later murdered as part of Macbeth's rise to power.

**Evander**  
Duncane's youngest son, who supports his brother Lisander’s inheritance and seeks revenge for their father’s death.

**The Druides**  
Priests combining Christian and ancient superstitions, serving the political leaders of Scotland through rites and magic.

**Roscille’s Father**  
Duke Varvek of Brittainy, known as Wrybeard, who exercises cunning in political matters and significantly influences Roscille's life.

**Adelaide**  
The sidelined wife of Wrybeard, considered mentally unwell and undergoing treatments like trepanning, symbolizing patriarchal constructs of madness.

Ava Reid's Lady Macbeth is praised for its lush prose and unique feminist twist on a classic narrative. The novel captivates with its rich character development and immersive atmosphere, though some find its pacing uneven. Despite this, Reid’s imaginative reimagining resonates with many readers, offering a fresh perspective on Shakespeare's infamous figure.

Study Guide

Book Brief

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Book Brief Lady Macbeth

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Lady Macbeth Summary and Study Guide

Background

Lady Macbeth Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Act I: Thane of Glammis”

Part 1 Lady Macbeth Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Act II: Thane of Cawder”

Part 2 Lady Macbeth Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Act III: King Hereafter”

Part 3 Lady Macbeth Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Act IV: Les Deux Amanz, Les Deux Amants”

Part 4 Lady Macbeth Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Act V: Lady?”

Part 5-Coda

Lady Macbeth Part 5-Coda Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Lady Macbeth Character Analysis

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Themes

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Lady Macbeth Symbols & Motifs

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Lady Macbeth

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