Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.

The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
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.
  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

  • Formats

  • Languages

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      October 21, 2024
      This passable sophomore outing from Arsén (Shoot the Moon) centers on a Shakespearean actor in the 1950s whose dedication to her craft causes her to have a mental breakdown. Margaret Wolf narrowly escaped her Kentucky hometown, where she might have become the “second-rate wife of some third-rate racketeer,” for New York City, where she pursues her true calling on the stage. As the brightest star in her theater company, she lands the role of Lady Macbeth, playing opposite Wesley, a gay man she married to protect from persecution. But the role in Macbeth takes a powerful hold on Margaret, making her feel like her identity is fused with the character, and she begins to hallucinate, triggering a meltdown that effectively ends her career. Margaret then accompanies Wesley to a mysterious production of Titus Andronicus in New Mexico, where they meet Felix Haas, a magnetic costume designer who piques the interest of both Margaret and Wesley. The three enter into a sexual relationship, but Felix’s charm belies a danger that threatens to unravel Margaret’s fragile peace, as does her prescribed amphetamine. 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. Agent: Chris Bucci, Aevitas Creative Management.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Saskia Maarleveld gives an impressive performance of this audiobook, set in the 1950s theater worlds of New York City and New Mexico. Maarleveld splendidly portrays the unsettled persona of Margaret Wolf, who flees a difficult life to follow her dream of becoming a Shakespearean actress. Maarleveld skillfully balances Margaret's histrionic tendencies with the sadness she experiences in her personal and professional lives, especially when she marries Wesley, a closeted gay actor. The two join a production in New Mexico, where each begins a sexual relationship with a magnetic costume designer named Felix. Maarleveld evokes the atmosphere of the theater and conveys a time in which conformity was the norm. Those who enjoy a psychological bent to their stories will appreciate Maarleveld's polished performance. M.J. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

Loading