SBBC: Lady Macbeth's Daughter by Lisa Klein

Lady Macbeth’s Daughter by Lisa Klein (ISBN 978-1-59990-347-7).

Book Genre: YA Historical Fiction with a little Paranormal

Summary:

Albia has grown up with no knowledge of her mother and father, the powerful Macbeth. Instead, she knows the dark lure of the Wychlem Wood and the moors, where she’s been raised by three strange sisters. It’s only when the ambitious Macbeth seeks out the sisters to foretell his fate that Albia’s life becomes tangled with the man who leaves nothing but bloodshed in his wake. She even falls in love with Fleance, Macbeth’s rival for the throne. Yet when Albia learns that she has the second sight, she must decide whether to ignore the terrible future she foresees – or to change it. Will she be able to save the man she loves from her murderous father? And can she forgive her parents their wrongs, or must she destroy them to save Scotland from tyranny?

Swap details:

I've set the sign-up date for two weeks from now to give folks time to pick up a copy and read it a bit (if you wish) before you decide to join this swap, but you can start reading whenever you'd like. Once the sign-up date has closed, I will also create a discussion thread in the group forums, which anyone who is in the group will be able to add to. This will give everyone an additional opportunity to discuss the book (even while you are reading).

You can either hand-write or type and send (via post) the answers to your questions. Please use your best judgment. If it elicits a yes or no, please answer it with at least one complete sentence. I would say most questions should be answered with a minimum of a few sentences. The purpose is to create a dialog, a discussion about the book - with your assigned partner, perhaps you will be in touch via e-mail, or private message or through the forum as part of a larger group, or you just want to see what someone else thinks about what we've read. If you only answer yes or no, it doesn't really leave room much room for a discussion.

Category 1 (answer all 6 of these questions for your partner)

1. Have you ever read this book before? Did this book fall in the usual genre of books you read?

2. As an overall experience, how did you feel about this book? Did you enjoy it, hate it, did it make you irritated, angry, sad, did you find it easy to read or did it take you a while to get into, was it entertaining, annoying or something else entirely?

3. Did you have a favorite part of the book? Describe what it was. If you didn't like the book, please tell more about why.

4. Would you recommend this book to others?

5. On a scale of 1 to 10 (one being low and 10 being high), how would you rate this book?

6. Does this book remind you of others you have read? if so, recommend a book that has some likeness in your opinion (even if the likeness is not apparent). Please include the title, and author and a brief description about the book, or why it reminded you of this one.

Category 2

Please pick 7 of the following questions (below) to answer with the above questions. These questions are taken directly from the book’s reading group guide. Please be honest in your answer and use constructive criticism. You can choose to answer more questions below, but you must choose a minimum of 8. If there is something not asked in the questions that you'd like to share, please feel free to discuss that too.

Category 2

1. How did the three Wyrd sisters come to raise the infant, Albia? What is each sister’s reaction to the baby? Why is this child so important?

2. Do you see Lady Macbeth (Grelach) as a victim of her circumstances or a creator of chaos? What power would noblewomen like Lady Macbeth have had in this time period? How does Grelach wield hers?

3. Describe Albia’s childhood, being raised by Geillis and Helwain. How might Albia’s life have been different is she had been raised by Lady Macbeth? Do you think she would have been happier in the Macbeth household or not? Why?

4. Geillis tells Albia of four spiritual worlds that guide the lives of the Scottish people: the Now-world, the Under-world, the Other-world, and the As-Yet-world. Describe the mythology behind each of these four worlds. How do myths develop in a culture? What clues do they give us about a culture’s people?

5. What gift does Albia possess that even Helwain does not? Why does this bother Helwain? How does Albia feel about her abilities? How does she learn to manage them?

6. How do Helwain’s predictions at Stravenock Henge influence Macbeth? Do you think Helwain bears any responsibility for Macbeth’s actions? Why?

7. How does Albia’s life change during her first summer at the shielding? Whom does she meet? Is it natural for friends to eclipse family at some point in life? Why do you think this is so?

8. Why is Albia sent to live in Dunbeag? Describe her foster family. What does she learn from Banquo, Breda, and Fleance? Compare and contrast her new life to her childhood days with Helwain and Geillis.

9. Albia says, “To know my father is to know myself.” Do you think this is true? What does she think when she learns who her true parents are? How would you feel to learn that you are the daughter of a king who is also a murderer?

10. After Duncan’s murder, what further plot does Macbeth mastermind? Is he mad, or has his treachery led to madness?

11. How do Albia, Colum, and Caora become involved in the plot to overthrow Macbeth, now king of Scotland? What discoveries do they make along the journey?

12. Albia says of Lady Macbeth, “My mother is the queen. I feel no speck of pride in this, for the woman came by that title by foul deeds. Still less can be called a mother, for she did not even protect me from my cruel father. I deny her.” Would you feel similarly, or would curiosity have you seek out your birth mother? Could you forgive Lady Macbeth? How are justice and revenge woven together in Albia’s life? Which is more important?

13. How have Fleance and Albia changed each other? Who has the better claim to revenge? In the end, do you think Albia should accept Fleance’s proposal or not? Why? Do you think his love is true or is it motivated by ambition?

14. Whom do you blame for the evil acts of the novel – is it Helwain, for planting the seeds of discontent in Macbeth’s mind; Lady Macbeth for nurturing his ambitions; or simply Macbeth, for succumbing to his desire for power and glory? Was it fate or free will? Which do you most believe in?

And finally: Group rules apply in order to join. If you sign-up for the swap, please be prepared to make the commitment. If you flake or don't rate, you will be removed from the group and not permitted to join in future group swaps.

Please understand that people can be very passionate about a book they read and as such, their opinions may differ from your own. When you rate, or discuss the book, please use constructive criticism and be polite. Your rating should reflect that your partner answered the questions (with more than a yes or no answer), and not on their opinion, please.

Any questions should be directed to the swap host.

Happy reading and swapping!