The Darkland Tales are a series of books that reinterpret stories from Scottish history, myth and legend in a modern way. The latest book in the series, Queen Macbeth by Val McDermid, tells the story of Lady Macbeth.
In Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth is a scheming ambitious woman who encourages her husband to kill King Duncan so Macbeth can become king. Macbeth turns into a cruel murderous monarch and it all comes to a bad end.
Macbeth movie poster (1948)
McDermid's novella about Lady Macbeth (whose given name is Gruoch) is different, and somewhat speculative. In an author's note, McDermid notes that we don't really know what happened in Scotland at the end of the tenth century because very few people had access to ink and paper, and "those who did were more inclined towards copying religious texts than writing the medieval version of a blog."
Medieval monks writing religious texts
However, some things are known about the real Macbeth and his lady, and McDermid uses the facts to fashion her story.
Queen Macbeth's tale is told in two alternating timelines:
In the earlier timeline, written in italics, Gruoch's father has married her off to Gille Coemgáin, the King of Moray. Gruoch has been permitted to bring along her three women companions, Eithne - a seer and herbalist; Aife - a companion and baker; and Ligath - a weaver and beekeeper.
Gruoth doesn't love (or even like) her husband Gille, a coarse man whose sole interest in Gruoth is getting her pregnant. Gruoth comments, "It's true there was not much to love about Gille. He lived to eat and drink well, and that had coarsened the good looks he'd been blessed with. There was no tenderness in him; he was uncaring and rough, always putting his own needs and desires first."
Thus when Gille's charismatic cousin Macbeth comes for a visit, Gruoth is immediately taken with him. Gille observes, "The first time I set eyes on Macbeth, I knew he was the very pattern of manhood.....although he was a little lower in rank than the man I was wedded to, he seemed more like a lord than Gille Coemgáin." Macbeth's red hair, blazing blue eyes, handsome face, and lively dancing capture Gille's heart, and the attraction is mutual.
Gruoch and Macbeth fall in love, engage in houghmagandie (sex), and maintain a mostly long-distance relationship - being careful not to excite Gille's suspicions. Eventually, Macbeth hatches a scheme to kill Gille, and Macbeth and Gruoth marry and become king and queen of Moray.
Macbeth and Gruoch rule benevolently for seventeen years, until Macbeth is mortally wounded in battle. With Macbeth gone, and King Malcolm ascended to the throne of Scotland, Gruoth and her companions, along with Macbeth's man Angus - who's sworn to protect the ladies - run for their lives.
*****
In the later timeline, written in plain text, Gruoch, her three women friends, and their protector Angus are on the lam, trying to evade King Malcolm's minions. If the fugitives are caught, they'll be killed.
The exiles hide out in a monastery for four years, until they're discovered by their foes.
The refugees manage to escape, and make a mad dash for the Isle of Mull, where they'll be protected by Macbeth's allies. Unfortunately, Gruoch and her retinue run into big trouble along the way. Do they get away? You'll have to read the novella to find out.
The book is chock full of suspense, danger, and death, as would be expected in a novella by renowned mystery writer Val McDermid. McDermid tells the tale in medieval vernacular, but it's easy to understand. Moreover, a helpful glossary is included. I'll give some examples of archaic words:
barley bree - a primitive form of whiskey
birlinn - a small galley or longboat
bleezing - bragging
cac-shiubhal - diarrhea
dugs - breasts
jessies - cowardly males
Mormaer - leader, ruler
pintle - penis
ramsons - wild garlic
Slàinte mhath - a toast meaning good health
I enjoyed this alternative tale about Lady Macbeth and highly recommend it.
Thanks to Netgalley, Val McDermid, and Grove Atlantic for a copy of the book.
Rating: 4 stars
No comments:
Post a Comment