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by Isa Arsén
Two Shakespearean actors in an unconventional marriage get caught up in a renowned director's scheme that will bring them closer than ever or rip them apart for good.
Up-and-coming stage actress Margaret Shoard has just taken a bow as Lady Macbeth, the role she has always believed was destined for her. At home, she plays wife to her best friend Wesley, even if she doesn't hold his sole attention romantically. After a public breakdown threatens all she holds dear, Margaret's doctor prescribes her uppers—just a little help to get through the days.
When Wesley is invited by eccentric director Vaughn Kline to join the cast for an inaugural Shakespeare performance in the New Mexico desert, Margaret decides to accompany him in hopes the time away will set her back to rights ... but the world she finds in Vaughn's company is filled with duplicity and betrayal. Margaret and Wesley, embroiled in an affair with a man who may not be all he seems, must find a way forward together before their story becomes the real tragedy.
"With sensitivity to a range of queer relationships as well as to Margaret's unraveling psyche, Arsén paints a vivid portrait of 1950s backstage culture. The demands and compulsions of theater life create a satisfying backdrop for historical fiction that works as a page-turner. The play's not the only thing here; Arsén's players intrigue as well." —Kirkus Reviews
"[P]assable...The plot is a touch melodramatic, especially after revelations about Felix come to light, but the many scenes of sex and violence excite. Readers in the mood for a spicy period piece will find plenty to enjoy." —Publishers Weekly
"This historical novel may be of interest to readers who enjoy fiction about theater and the United States at midcentury, especially if they prefer slow-moving stories with an emphasis on atmosphere and characterization. A good pick for fans of Patti Callahan Henry and Marie Benedict." —Library Journal
"Isa Arsén's The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf is one of the smartest books I've read this year. Arsén's deft portrayal of Margaret and Wesley's unconventional relationship, set against a fascinating theatrical backdrop and laced with Shakespearean drama, makes for a gripping, heartfelt and poignant read." —Kelly Rimmer, author of The Things We Cannot Say
"With exquisite writing and vivid emotion, Arsén pulls you into the 50s in a way that is both atmospheric and thrilling, setting you right on stage alongside Margaret through not only her performances, but also her life. The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf is a book that will stay with you long after you read the last page." —Madeline Martin, author of The Last Bookshop in London
"The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf is a juicy portrait of a troubled artist and her unconventional life. Isa Arsén's novel is a window into the mind of a talented actress who is thwarted by the limitations and expectations of her era. Arsén writes with so much sympathy and precision. I've never read anything quite like it. Every chapter is a jewel." —Lauren Fox, author of Send for Me
This information about The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Isa Arsén is a certified bleeding heart and audio engineer based in South Texas, where she lives with her spouse and a comically small dog.
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