⭐️⭐️From Penguin Publishing: 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 the hopes that time away from the city will set her back to rights . . . but the world she finds in Vaughn’s company is filled with obsession 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.
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My review: I had high hopes for this book: historical fiction, actors, a fake marriage. But it was extremely slow. The first quarter focused on Margot's mental illness and suicide ideation and attempt. And frankly, it was depressing to read about the outdated, discriminatory treatment she was subjected to. I waited for it to pick up as they started their trek across country for the summer desert production. I just couldn't get into these desperate, unhappy people. I DNF at 40%.

I'm sure there's an audience for this novel. The author writes train of thought well and I could picture so much that was going on in Margot's mind. But alas, the story was not for me.

⭐️⭐️Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Publishing for an advance digital copy in exchange for my review.

*The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf* is a thrilling and transformative journey of self-discovery, power, and identity. With gripping twists and a fierce protagonist, the story keeps readers captivated from start to finish. It's an empowering and suspenseful read that blends mystery and emotional depth seamlessly.

This is a heavy story, tragic in a Shakespearean way that was hard to put down. The author did an excellent job describing the 1950’s era and her attention to detail felt authentic.

Trigger warnings galore…so check them before you start ( I won’t list them so no spoilers) if you are a sensitive reader.

It was too much for me and perhaps the redemptive part went over my head. All I saw was tragedy.

I have mixed feelings about this. I enjoyed the atmosphere/vibes and Margaret was a good character but it was a lot more intense than I was expecting. Given all the of the Shakespeare references, I should have expected the plot to progress as it did, and yet I was still surprised. This book wasn’t entirely for me, though I’m not sure I could articulate why, but I would recommend it. Content warnings for self harm, suicidal ideation, a suicide attempt, drug use, sexual assault, and murder (all explicit on the page)

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the digital ARC; all opinions are my own.

It’s hard to describe The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf. At its basest level it’s about a pair of friends that are actors, going to the desert for a performance, when they meet a man that upends their lives. But it’s so much more than that. The friends are Margaret and Wesley, who are married to protect the gay Wesley from the Red Scare investigations. Margaret has been the victim of manipulative men throughout her life, and is also an actress that gets consumed by the roles she plays. After her latest turn as Lady MacBeth, she has an epic meltdown that leads to her being asked to step away from the theater troupe she’s a part of, and she ends up addicted to drugs. When Wesley gets an offer to be part of a performance in New Mexico for an obscene amount of money, Margaret decides to accompany him for a change of scenery. A change it is, but a dangerous one, when she and Wesley cross paths with the charismatic Felix Haas. The reader will experience the uncomfortable sensation of being in Margaret’s shoes while under the influence of drugs, being manipulated again by a controlling man. The question is whether she will have the strength to break the hold that Haas has on her and Wesley. The book is really more about Margaret’s state of mind than anything else, and for me that created that uncomfortable feeling of interpreting the story from her perspective while she was in someone’s thrall. It’s well done, but hard to do justice to in a review and may not be a book for every reader due to some of the triggering events in the story. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

So elegantly written I became enraptured in the experience. Felt like I was in the middle of a classic american movie. The details of the time period mixed with the radiant queerness was so engrossing. All the kudos to Isa Arsén.

Thank you to Penguin Publishing Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Margaret and Westley travel to the desert to perform Shakespeare, they become involved with a man who is not who he appears to be.

First of all, thank you to the publisher for making this book available as an .epub! More detailed review TK but I read it in close to one sitting, and Arsén definitely continues to be a writer to watch.

I enjoyed SHOOT THE MOON by Isa Arsén so I was eager to get my hands on this e-galley, which did not disappoint.
Margaret and Wesley are Shakespearean actors spending their summer in the desert. The story is full of parties, drugs, affairs, and mobsters. It can get overwhelming at times, and there's almost a heavy-handed / claustrophobic feel to the prose which can get bogged down and does not necessarily invite the reader in. I don't think this is marketed to fans of "traditional" (ugh, I know, but I'm not sure what other word to use) historical fiction. This novel is a bit heavier and I guess more literary. But the plot can feel like a roller coaster at times, which does not necessarily fit with literary. I guess this type of genre bender is popular right now, and don't get me wrong, I DO believe this gorgeous novel will find its audience. It's a well-written dark historical with a strong sense of atmosphere and excellent character development.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-galley; all opinions in this review are 100% my own.

What a raw, gripping novel. This is SO MUCH MORE than what I thought it would be and how it presents the first 20%. This book is filled with beautiful prose, a heart wrenching story and human error. It is SO Shakespearean to the point of pure irony and I love that. For a debut novel, this one is gold.

4.5 rounded up for this wonderful and deeply theatrical historical fiction! This was messy, dramatic, incredibly queer, and totally unputdownable.

It follows the titular main character as she and her husband become entangled with a charismatic, compelling man during a trip to the desert to perform Shakespeare. The plot points sometimes felt a little on the side of unbelievable, but I think they worked really well in context of the drama-steeped world of the book.

The queerness of the cast and their relationships was absolutely delicious, especially the relationship between the main character and her husband, and there is so much queer tenderness and intimacy, of every variety, throughout.

I read this right after checking off a bucket list theatre role for myself, and it was really perfect timing. Highly recommended!

Isa Arsen's "The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf" is a haunting and atmospheric tale that blends historical fiction with elements of suspense and psychological intrigue. Set in Victorian England, the novel follows Margaret Wolf, a woman with a mysterious past and a penchant for unconventional behavior.

The narrative unfolds through dual timelines, alternating between Margaret's present-day struggles and flashbacks to her tumultuous childhood. Arsen masterfully weaves together these threads, gradually unraveling the secrets that have shaped Margaret's identity and her tumultuous relationships.

The strength of the novel lies in its atmospheric prose and vivid depiction of Victorian society's constraints and expectations. Arsen's writing is evocative, transporting readers to a world of opulent ballrooms and dark, shadowy secrets. The characters, particularly Margaret with her enigmatic persona, are compelling and well-drawn, keeping the reader engaged until the final revelation.

"The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf" is a captivating read for those who enjoy historical fiction infused with suspense and psychological depth. Isa Arsen demonstrates a keen ability to blend intricate storytelling with rich historical detail, creating a novel that lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned.

This seems like a very good novel. Unfortunately, the formatting is so messed up that it causes way too much distraction. That being said, what I was able to read was pretty fascinating. Once it is available, I will borrow it from the library.

This atmospheric novel is a slow-burn of mental manipulation and the strength it takes to rally back. Not your usual mid-century fiction, but riveting nonetheless.

I’m a huge fan of this time period, so I was so excited to get an early copy of this book. The writing in this one was gorgeous, and the author did such a wonderful job getting into the feel of the '50s. I was very impressed with the character descriptions and all their flaws and imperfections.

Times change. People don’t.

A story about a different time with themes common to our world today. Margaret and Wesley are the best of friends and love each other immensely but have a non traditional marriage. Both Shakespearean actors, they have their quirks. After a breakdown, the doctor prescribes medication for Margaret. When Wesley is offered a position at a production in the desert, Margaret decides to go too. Maybe a change of scenery will help. A summer of affairs, drugs, parties, and mobsters follows. How does it end?

Frankly written. Full of elegant suspense. Definitely recommend!

The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf feels like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo but pales in comparison in many ways but I can say that Isa Arsén is an author to watch because of her storytelling and character development.

The writing was incredibly descriptive. Even though I've never been in a room with a furnace, I could almost feel how creepy it might be. I was also reading in a Transatlantic accent, which, to me, enhanced every conversation. I love Margaret; she is a lovable, eccentric main character. The characters are so well written. I'll be thinking about this book for a while!

As a big fan of Shakespeare I thought I would absolutely love this book. It seems many can't put it down, but I found it rather difficult to get invested in the characters. It took me much longer than usual to find my way through the book, and though some of the writing was absolutely beautiful, I did feel like it was overall verbose. I can't stop thinking about the description "a nothing place," though, I love it. I know many nothing places. The book overall really carried the feeling of the era, and I do appreciate that.

Great read! Characters were flawed and so lovable. Love the attention to detail in the time period as well.