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The Third Witch

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'The Third Witch' by Rebecca Reisert is a retelling of the classic story of Macbeth from the perspective of a young girl named Gilly. Raised by two older women in the forest, Gilly harbors a burning need for revenge against Lord Macbeth, whom she sees as the source of all her suffering. As the narrative unfolds, Gilly's quest for vengeance leads her to disguise herself as a boy and involve herself in Macbeth's dark deeds, all while exploring themes of love, identity, and the treatment of women in society.

Reisert's writing style weaves together elements of drama, suspense, and action, keeping readers engaged as they follow Gilly's journey of self-discovery and revenge. The novel offers a fresh take on the familiar tale of Macbeth, presenting a compelling narrative that delves into the complexities of human emotion and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, particularly Gilly, whose motivations and complexities drive the plot.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by eloquence and dramatic flair, though some readers find the medieval style off-putting.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative centers on Gilly's quest for revenge against Macbeth, intertwined with her personal growth and societal observations.

Setting:

The setting is a vivid depiction of medieval Scotland, capturing the tension between societal norms and personal aspirations.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally regarded as engaging, keeping the reader captivated throughout the story.
Nettle kicks me again. I pull my tattered wolfskin closer about my shoulders and curl into a tighter ball, scooting across the packed dirt of the floor to move as near as I dare to the embers in the f...

Notes:

The story is told from the perspective of Gilly, the third witch in Macbeth.
Gilly disguises herself as a boy for much of the story.
The novel explores themes of revenge, madness, personal identity, and the treatment of women in society.
Gilly harbors a deep hatred for Lord Macbeth, driving her quest for revenge.
The book presents a human side to the witches, who are often viewed with suspicion in medieval Scotland.
Rebecca Reisert chose to follow Shakespeare's interpretation over strict historical accuracy.
The author has extensive experience teaching Macbeth, which informs her writing.
The narrative intertwines elements of Shakespeare's play with new character development and plot twists.
Gilly's backstory includes a secret about her parentage that is revealed later in the book.
Some readers found the writing style overly earnest and struggled with medieval language.
The plot includes significant coincidences that some readers criticized but others found emotionally engaging.
Gilly's character development includes shifting perspectives on love and emotional connection.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes themes of violence, revenge, and the darker aspects of witchcraft which may be unsettling to some readers.

From The Publisher:

In this stirring debut novel, Rebecca Reisert enters the world of Shakespeare's Macbeth, in which a young woman's search for vengeance plunges her into a legendary tale of deceit, murder, and retribution....

I have made my life an arrow, and His heart is my home. I have made my life a blade, and His heart is my sheath....So pledges Gilly, vowing to destroy Macbeth, the most powerful man in medieval Scotland. She escapes from the hut in Birnam Wood in which she has lived for the past seven years, ever since she was taken in by Nettle and Mad Helga - wise women whose powers are widely feared and reviled. Disguising herself as a servant boy, Gilly finds work in the kitchen of her enemy's castle. Soon she insinuates herself into the lives of Macbeth and his beautiful, dangerous wife, subtly manipulating the forces governing their fate. But as Gilly moves closer to her private revenge, she finds herself at risk when she confronts the startling legacy of a long-concealed heritage.

Ratings (3)

It Was OK (1)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (14):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (7)
Not Interested (4)

2 comment(s)

Hated It
2 months

my first and the last retelling. Already fifteen years ago, the writers took it upon themselves to rewrite female characters into insufferable, self-righteous slags.

 
Hated It
4 months

Mediocre Macbeth fanfiction.

 
 
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