Margaret Shoard, a rising stage actress who’s just played Lady Macbeth—her dream role. Offstage, she’s in a lavender marriage with her best friend Wesley, a fellow actor. After a public breakdown, Margaret joins Wesley in the New Mexico desert for a summer Shakespeare production led by a mysterious director. But the retreat turns into a crucible of obsession, betrayal, and blurred identities.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons

The pacing for this novel is frustrating--the parts in New Mexico drag on for a particularly long time--and for all her posturing about her upbringing and life I didn't get to know Margaret very well. But I enjoyed her relationship with Wesley and how they bolstered one another. (I actually liked Wesley quite a bit and would have enjoyed a book about him.)

The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf had a lot to live up to after the author’s stunning debut, and while it delivers moments of emotional depth and sharp writing, it ultimately didn’t capture me the same way her first book did.

The story follows Margaret through a complex unraveling of identity, relationships, and long-held illusions. There are flashes of brilliance in the prose, and a few character moments that truly resonated. But overall, it felt like the narrative meandered more than it needed to, with pacing that dragged in parts and plot threads that never fully paid off.

Compared to the author’s debut, which felt tighter and more urgent, this one felt like it was still searching for what it wanted to be. It’s not a bad book by any means, there’s emotional honesty here, and the potential is still clear but it didn’t leave a lasting impact.

A worthwhile read for fans of introspective literary fiction, but not quite the knockout I was hoping for.

Oh boy, this book just absolutely was not for me. I love literary fiction, and this one sounded intriguing - 1950s stage actress and a marriage of convenience and drama. Unfortunately, Margaret was such an unlikeable mess of a character, and the one character who I liked - her husband Wesley - was absolutely destroyed by her. Now, bad things had continually happened to Margaret and she clearly had mental health issues, but it was tough to wade through the absolutely jumbled plot (or lack thereof) to care about any of these messy people, least of all her.

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.

I would follow up that this book goes into a lot of topics that I would have appreciated so trigger warnings. Such as polyamory, self harm on page. It was a very good read, just would have liked a little more warning as to what I should expect.

THE UNBECOMING OF MARGARET WOLF is a candid and raw look at a couple in the 1950s whose choices lead them down a path filled with ups, downs, and a full range of emotions. Arsén beautifully captures the complexities not only in relationships but also within the characters themselves.

There is a theatrical essence to this novel. Yes. The characters are Shakespearian actors, but it is more than that. It is in the way the way Margaret, AKA Jack, and Wes’s lives unravel and come together. All the situations, the decisions, and the addictions heighten the drama. It is only made better by the writing itself. Arsén’s eloquence is on full display as she dives into the time period, how certain proclivities are dealt with, and the behind-the-scenes of the theater world. The richness of detail and attention paid to building out our leads truly make this tale come alive.

I have to say that the honesty and the pureness of the story are what kept me reading. There is nothing sugarcoated here. The flaws of our characters are on full display. Just as their connections are. This is a story that will stay with me for a while.

Audiobook Note: Narrator Saskia Maarleveld did a great job of bringing Margaret to life. How she played with The Lady’s voice instead of Margaret’s was subtle but impactful. There was almost a dramatic presence to this narration, which blended wonderfully with the writing by Arsén. It was an experience to listen to this story as all the events unfolded.

The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf is an atmospheric and immersive historical fiction that explores themes of identity, marriage, and affairs. With strong writing and a focus on theater, the novel delves into the complexities of women's lives and the desire for transformation, though its occasionally unfocused plot may feel alienating at times.

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.