Isa Arsén’s The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf is a rare and profoundly moving novel—one that not only captivates but also resonates on a deeply personal level. Set in the 1950s, it follows two Shakespearean actors, bound by a lavender marriage, as they navigate a fateful summer season that threatens to unravel their carefully constructed lives.

At its core, this is a novel about transformation—the personal exorcisms required to live authentically and the enduring nature of love in all its forms. Margaret Wolf and Wesley Shoard are richly drawn, their relationship imbued with tenderness and complexity, their story as compelling as the timeless plays they perform. Arsén’s prose is both lyrical and precise, evoking an aching sense of longing while offering a nuanced portrayal of queer existence beyond the familiar narratives of suffering and repression. Here, love, happiness, and self-determination exist, even if in the shadows.

Laced with Shakespearean grandeur and an undercurrent of quiet rebellion, The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf is a novel of rare emotional depth. It lingers long after the final act, a testament to the power of literature to reveal, affirm, and transform. An extraordinary work, and one not to be missed.

My thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

This took me a while to read and get into. It wasn’t because it didn’t captivate me, but maybe it was just a deeper read than my normal. I felt like I had to digest it.
I found Margaret lovable and then laughable at times. I didn’t always love her, but I do love a good mid century novel. If you love that time period, and Shakespeare, and theater, this one is for you.
Thank you netgalley!

I’m still trying to process The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf.

This book is haunting, intoxicating, and utterly unsettling in the best way. Margaret’s descent—blurring the lines between art, obsession, and self-destruction—was both mesmerizing and deeply disorienting. The atmospheric setting, the tangled relationships, and the creeping sense of doom kept me riveted, even as I felt like I was losing my grip right alongside Margaret. It’s the kind of book that lingers, that makes you question everything long after the final page. Dark, immersive, and impossible to look away from—I’m not sure if I loved it or if it wrecked me.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf has an intriguing premise and a strong atmosphere. The writing is immersive, and the story unfolds in an interesting way, though some parts felt a bit uneven. A solid read for those who enjoy dark, character-driven narratives.

My central problem with this book was its unrelenting predictability. I charge anyone to witness an emotional Shakespearean actress in an unsatisfying lavender marriage be overwhelmed by the role of Lady Macbeth and NOT instantly know the direction the story will take. I almost feel that if this book had been framed as a loose retelling I would have enjoyed it more: coyly pretending at a parallels and coincidence does not a satisfying original story make. There's a reason retellings have such a broad appeal: dramatic irony and doomed narratives will never go out of style, and offer a level of acknowledgment to the reader rather than trying to frame an inevitable outcome as a "twist".

Things I did like: the complexities of Margaret and Wesley's relationships, the sheer aesthetics of a globe replica built in the middle of the American desert. Still, none of this was enough to make up for my overwhelming distaste for Margaret and the selfishness of her decisions: there is certainly validity in her mental health struggles, but not once does she take accountability for how her actions impact those around her. Nor does she face consequences: again and again I was waiting for a frank conversation in which her struggles are balanced against the genuine harm she has caused to the people in her vicinity, and it never came. I was particularly struck by the utter lack of perspective we are granted of the cast and crew when Margaret throws the performance into disarray not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES. As a former actor and crew member, I can say with confidence that this behavior would have earned a serious conversation at best and overt disdain at worst. I can admire stories that give space to explore the genuine hardship of depression, but am less forgiving of narratives that try to "girlbossify" failing to take accountability for repeated harm.

DNF at 37%. I just don't care about the characters enough to keep going. I was intrigued by the lavender marriage, but quickly lost interest with the FMC's suicide attempt. The writing wasn't bad, but the storyline just wasn't for me.

There’s something dark and moody about stories set in old Hollywood but an added bonus of the old playwright era in old New York. There was a deeper mystery in this story and Margaret was truly an enigmatic character. However, I do wish we got more of her backstory. She called herself a mess so often but I felt like no one, even those she said were closest to her didn’t even truly know her. We got small little off-handed glimpses here and there but they felt a bit too off-page. She was hiding even from us the reader. Maybe that was the purpose but it did pull me out of the story a few times. She felt so much pain and went through so much pain I’m rooting for her. Her last facade, her truest one, is a strong woman, made by her creators without intent.

‘I put one hand in his hair and tilted his head back. “I’ll show you a villain,” I snarled.’

The side characters in this story were truly superb. Each of them in their own way, formulated the path and choices that Margaret would have to take and decide… on her own if she wanted to survive this thing called life. If she wants to truly live.

Loved! A heavy read that is so worth the journey it takes you on. Finished it almost a week ago and still thinking about it. Would recommend to any one that likes historical fiction that goes a little off the rails!

Thank you, Putnam, for this review copy!
"The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf" is a genuinely immersive, moody, and atmospheric read. The cover evokes old Hollywood vibes of whiskey-filled, smoke-laden rooms1. I was thoroughly engaged with Margaret's story, her sense of unbecoming or unraveling, and found Arsén's writing to be stylish and powerful7.
At times, the plot lost focus, which might have been intentional to capture the unfolding challenges the couple faced and the push-pull dynamics of an affair, Shakespeare, theater, and performance14. However, as a reader drawn into this world, these moments occasionally felt overly alienating.
This novel is recommended as a solid read with strong writing and engaging historical fiction. It explores women's lives (both public and private), marriage, affairs, theater, and complex relationships2. The story delves into the desire for something more or different—a yearning to break free from one's current self and perceived image, venturing into a realm of new possibilities, albeit at a potential cost.

This one took a minute to pull me in. Once it did, though, I was hooked. Not whimsical like Shoot the Moon, this book has teeth - sharp teeth. I enjoyed Lady MacBeth’s cameos. I did not like Margot at all, but Westley and Edie were my faves. There’s probably an entire book out there with Edie’s story and I’d certainly read it.

I do not really know what to say about The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf, by Isa Arsén. It was not what was described in the publisher's blurb. Loved the character of Wesley, and some of the time, I actually liked Margaret quite a bit. I thought her nurturing of Wesley and their relationship seemed very good. I was unprepared for the suicide attempt. There was not much of a set up for that event. There are some factual errors that an editor should have caught, but I am sure another reviewer will spell that out at some point.

I love Shakespeare. I have seen so many performances and know the plays well, and I was excited about learning more about the staging and the actors. I liked this novel until I didn't. The portions in New Mexico are too slow and too dreary. and dark. New Mexico isn't just Breaking Bad, and so more drug use? Really? The whole portion in New Mexico was just so difficult to get through. Just about every trigger warning could be listed--suicide, drug use, violence, and a few more that I m not mentioning.

I am sure that there are many people who will like and enjoy reading this novel. It just did not work for me. Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. The above reflect my views. 2.5 stars, bomber to 3.

To avoid arrest for his sexuality, Wesley enters into a marriage of convenience with his best friend — and fellow stage actor — Margaret. When Margaret finally lands her dream role, Lady Macbeth, her happiness is short-lived however after suffering a breakdown following opening night. Unable to find work, Margaret spends her days wandering about the city and playing the happy housewife until she learns Wesley has been invited to join a theater troupe set to perform in the desert for the summer. Margaret believes this is just what she needs to reignite her passion...only to discover her already complicated marriage will see drama the Bard himself couldn’t have imagined.

1950s, Shakespeare, I was sold from the start and The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf was one of my most anticipated releases of the new year. Immediately I was hooked and genuinely expected this to be a Top Read, 5-star favorite of 2025.

Once Margaret and Wesley leave New York, however, the book spiraled. A drug-fueled affair, a surprise pregnancy, murder. And that’s not including the actual visitations (? hallucinations?) Margaret has of Lady Macbeth.

I had such high hopes going into this one and enjoyed it a great deal early on but expected something different than what I got out of it.

The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf by Isa Arsén is an amazing read!
An enthralling and entertaining story.
I enjoyed reading this book tremendously.

3.75

This is a dark, dramatic, and sexy historical novel that follows Margaret, an up-and-coming stage actress in the 1950s in a lavender marriage with her best friend and costar, Wesley. After a Lady Macbeth-inspired (literally) mental breakdown, Margaret ends up prescribed uppers and mandatory time off. Unable to take sitting at home, she accompanies Wesley to the middle of nowhere, New Mexico, for a summer Shakespeare performance. While there, the two end up in an ongoing ménage à trois with the charming and mysterious costume designer, Felix. But as opening night draws nearer, Margaret's idleness and her increasing drug dosage combined with the intensity of her relationships begin to spiral. Haunted by her own depiction of Lady Macbeth, she wonders if she's doomed to meet the same fate and if it's her own fault.

I really enjoyed Margaret's perspective in this, and her relationship with Wesley was so deep and compelling and fascinating. Their on-page chemistry was great, and I was rooting for them the whole way through. I am a Shakespeare nerd, so the parallels between the characters' lives and their roles on stage were a fun device to read about, and very well done. The writing itself was also lovely, clearly thoughtful and deep but not so flowery that it tried to compete with the Shakespearian source material or undermined the messages. If you enjoy theater and historical fiction through a feminist and queer lens, definitely check this out. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was immediately taken by Isa Arsen’s gorgeous writing when I read her debut, Shoot the Moon, last year. I am so pleased to say that she has successfully avoided the sophomore slump with her newest.

"𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦'𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸: 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦." - 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘩

Stage actors Margaret Shoard and her best friend Wesley enter into a marriage of convenience. When a director takes an interest in them both, and invites them to join the cast of his Shakespeare performance for the summer, things become complicated as they enter into an affair that will test them and their relationship.

The great irony of this story is that Margaret, having longed to play the role of Lady Macbeth, is herself the Lady Macbeth of this very loose retelling (with a hint of Hamlet for good measure). The complexity of her marriage to Wesley, as well as the shifting power dynamic between them, is just one of the many fascinating elements in this powerhouse of a novel.

This story is provocative and sexy at times, turbulent and heartbreaking at others. It is steeped in the history of old Hollywood, and yet maintains a fresh youthful quality that makes it feel so modern. I don’t know how Arsen pulls it off, but the intricacy of her stories combined with her beautiful prose has made me a fan for life.

Read if you like:
▪️old hollywood
▪️lgbtq rep
▪️Shakespearean plays
▪️Masters of Sex vibes
▪️literary fiction
▪️unconventional love affairs

Thank you Putnam for the advanced copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC! On paper, this sounded like it would become a new favorite but it just didn’t work for me. The pacing was too slow of a burn for too little payoff. Motion finally kicks in toward the end but still left so much to be desired. Many out there will certainly love this but I was severely disappointed.

I think once you get the feel for this book it is a pretty solid read. It has some vibes of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but also goes into some pretty hard topics that people had to deal with in the 50s with homophobia, depression and addiction.

This book is described as a sexy mid century novel. That made me believe it would be a somewhat fun look at the theater world during the 1950s and a couple who marry not for love but to protect one from the government. Instead this book was a heavy, dark read that was a bit twisted at times.

Though I enjoyed this book my second attempt at reading it, I found it was a bit too heavy of a read for me. I really didn't form any kind of attachment to the characters and just found them to be ok.

This wasn't a bad book, just not what I was expecting.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy.

⭐️ REVIEW ⭐️

📖 The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf by @arsen.prose 📖

Thank you to #NetGalley and @putnambooks for the opportunity to read this eARC and provide my honest thoughts.

Synopsis: A sexy, atmospheric mid-century novel about two Shakespearean actors in an unusual marriage during one summer that will drive them closer than ever or rip them apart for good.

Emojis: 🎭🪞🩸💊♥️🏳️‍🌈🗡️

🌟Rating: 3.75/5 stars (Rounded to 4/5)🌟

My thoughts: The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf was not something I would usually pick up, but I’m glad that I did. This book was an emotional and raw portrait of sacrifice, the search for love/acceptance in many forms (self, friend, partner, public), and the struggle for power over one’s demons. There are challenging themes throughout the plot which may make this read sensitive for some (see trigger warnings).

The first half of the book was a bit slow, but by the middle of the book, I was hooked and found myself unable to put it down. Some of the plot points were a bit odd (traveling out into the middle of nowhere to perform for no one and getting mixed up with members of a drug ring), and a few of the Shakespeare references likely went over my head, but I enjoyed those that didn’t. Overall, I am glad I gave this book a shot, and found it captured and held my attention.

I hope you consider giving this one a chance. If you do, let me know your thoughts!

Trigger Warnings: suicide attempts, drug abuse, sexual assault

There’s just so much in this book. Best friends, Margaret and Wesley, get married to save him from the HUAC, ok that’s a story that happened a lot in old Hollywood. The story takes us through their marriage while they are acting in Shakespeare plays. Things are going well until Margaret hurts herself and Wesley will do anything to help her. Her doctor on the other hand is a pill pusher not a healer, but life goes along at an even pace until Wesley takes an out of town job and meets a man. Margaret also meets this man and his interference will change both their lives.

I loved the story so much that I chose this for my January book. There are a few things that might bother some readers, graphic sex scenes, assault, drug use, very old Hollywood true crime themes.