Rebecca Reisert's mesmerizing first novel re-imagines Macbeth, Shakespeare's classic tragedy of power and madness, through the eyes of a...
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reviews
Sep 03, 2010
Ksenia
rated it: 
inth-grade English class. We even had to write our own added scene(s) to the play as a writing assignment, while attempting to use Shakespearean language. Last year for my birthday, Josh and I saw Patrick Stewart (yes, Mr. Jean-Luc Piccard, Professor X) play Macbeth in a stage version of the play at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. It made me love Macbeth even more. Normally, I am not a fan of modernizations of plays like that, especially on the stage, but that production took the cake. It was inc
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Mar 06, 2010
Stacy
rated it:
The Third Witch is a first novel for a teacher and Shakespere 'addict'. The premise of the book is set around the story of Macbeth and the "3 witches" he meets along the roadside. (Which is taken from the play "macbeth").
The story is told by Gilly, who starts out as a young girl. She has been befriended by two elderly ladies upon her wandering through the woods. She was raised by them after her family was 'lost' in a war-of-sorts. Gilly spends her day gathering herbs a More...
The story is told by Gilly, who starts out as a young girl. She has been befriended by two elderly ladies upon her wandering through the woods. She was raised by them after her family was 'lost' in a war-of-sorts. Gilly spends her day gathering herbs a More...
Jul 09, 2010
Marg
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jun 01, 2009
Lorihudeck
rated it:
I absolutely LOVED this book. It may help that Macbeth was one of my favorite Shakespearan plays, but this wonderful twist on that tale is strong enough to stand on its own. Told by "the third witch" of the "bubble, bubble, toil and trouble" scenes, this is an involving, fast paced tale of revenge -- oh so fitting in Shakespeare's tale of someone who gets exactly what he deserves for his crimes. Of course, it was written by an English teacher who had taught the play for sev
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Sep 27, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
4.5 stars
As any worthwhile description will tell you, The Third Witch is the story of Shakespeare's MacBeth told from the point of view of one of the infamous witches.
Gilly has devoted herself to her revenge against the man she only calls "He" or "Him", which is revealed early on to be MacBeth. No reason is given - at least not until late in the novel - but her singleminded bloodthirstiness is reason enough to keep turinng the pages. Nevertheless, despite bein More...
As any worthwhile description will tell you, The Third Witch is the story of Shakespeare's MacBeth told from the point of view of one of the infamous witches.
Gilly has devoted herself to her revenge against the man she only calls "He" or "Him", which is revealed early on to be MacBeth. No reason is given - at least not until late in the novel - but her singleminded bloodthirstiness is reason enough to keep turinng the pages. Nevertheless, despite bein More...
Jul 31, 2009
Kylin
rated it: 
This is the story of Shakespeare's Macbeth as told from the point of view from one of the three witches. An original back story is created to explain why the youngest witch, raised by the other two since she was seven years old, wants to take revenge on Macbeth.
The writing was okay: good enough to move the story along and not be distracting in and of itself, but I felt it dragged a bit and had to force myself to keep reading. That said, I did want to keep reading to find out what hap More...
The writing was okay: good enough to move the story along and not be distracting in and of itself, but I felt it dragged a bit and had to force myself to keep reading. That said, I did want to keep reading to find out what hap More...
Jan 16, 2009
Josh
rated it:
So, this book was pretty cool. Ive never read a book where the main character is so bent on revenge. And the only problem I had with this book is that after reading it, I still dont feel like Ive read a book where the main character is so bent on revenge. The girl in this story, Gilly, is so obssessed with killing MacBeth that one would think she was consumed by her desire for revenge, yet she is such a kind person. Her sweet, kind personality makes her role as hateful revenge bent witch unbelie
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Dec 14, 2009
Nuni
rated it:
reaksi pertama setelah menutup halaman terakhir: wow....
"wow" nya itu untuk:
- keberanian untuk menceritakan ulang satu karya terkenal dan menuangkannya kembali dari sudut pandang yg berbeda...
- caranya bu guru satu ini menghidupkan karakter gilly salah satu dari three witches...
well...sampai beberapa halaman awal..agak susah untuk tetep setia baca buku ini..dengan segala upaya dari keyakinan bahwa ada sesuatu yg beda dari sekedar macbethnya ki willia More...
"wow" nya itu untuk:
- keberanian untuk menceritakan ulang satu karya terkenal dan menuangkannya kembali dari sudut pandang yg berbeda...
- caranya bu guru satu ini menghidupkan karakter gilly salah satu dari three witches...
well...sampai beberapa halaman awal..agak susah untuk tetep setia baca buku ini..dengan segala upaya dari keyakinan bahwa ada sesuatu yg beda dari sekedar macbethnya ki willia More...
Feb 07, 2008
Daniel
rated it: 
I'm never quite sure how to feel about a story that picks up on a minor character from a more famous work. Sometimes it can be done quite well (see Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead) and other times be quite dull (see The Turquoise Ring).
This particular book does a great job of tying in many of the scenes from Shakespeare's Macbeth, and in that it is fun to watch the parallels ... to see what else might have been happening during some of the pivotal moments of the play, and then se More...
This particular book does a great job of tying in many of the scenes from Shakespeare's Macbeth, and in that it is fun to watch the parallels ... to see what else might have been happening during some of the pivotal moments of the play, and then se More...
Nov 12, 2007
Marsha
rated it:
This book is based on MacBeth, who was an actual historical figure, I guess. The main character is a young girl named Gilly who was taken in by two strange women when whe was found wandering as a child. It is now seven years later, and Gilly is obsessed with seeking revenge on Him, the man who violently ripped apart her childhood. The story of Gilly's past comes out slowly throughout the book, and Him ends up being MacBeth. There are some pretty violent images in the book (it is the middle ages)
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Sep 08, 2008
Grainne
rated it:
This medieval offering following the script laid down by the master bard was a rivetting and enjoyable look into behind the scenes maybes.
The story is of the "forgotten" surving child of Lady Macbeth who has made her life into a quest for revenge against her father's murderers: Her Mother and Macbeth. While the author freely admits she made a choice to adhere to Shakespeare's storyline rather than historical ones, you still get a sense that she took pains to make it as histori More...
The story is of the "forgotten" surving child of Lady Macbeth who has made her life into a quest for revenge against her father's murderers: Her Mother and Macbeth. While the author freely admits she made a choice to adhere to Shakespeare's storyline rather than historical ones, you still get a sense that she took pains to make it as histori More...
Jun 11, 2010
Jess
rated it:
I'm a sucker for Shakespeare tie-ins, so when I saw The Third Witch was written from the perspective of one of the witches in MacBeth, I was intrigued.
I'm about halfway through, and have been nibbling at it for a few weeks now, a few pages at a time. That says something, I think - it's not driving me to gulp it down in one sitting.
It's an intriguing concept with lovely writing, but for me at least, the intrigue falls short. I figured out the "twist" in the first little bit More...
I'm about halfway through, and have been nibbling at it for a few weeks now, a few pages at a time. That says something, I think - it's not driving me to gulp it down in one sitting.
It's an intriguing concept with lovely writing, but for me at least, the intrigue falls short. I figured out the "twist" in the first little bit More...
Jan 07, 2009
Kathleen
rated it:
I loved this story. A really creative and engaging spin on Shakespeare's "Hamlet", told from the perspective of the Third Witch. The writing was smart and cleverly tied into the original play. Recommended to anyone who likes Shakespeare, and is open to a new interpretation of a classic.
Jan 12, 2011
Paula
rated it:
I know nothing about Macbeth and hate Shakespeare...so wish me luck.
Turns out, you don't need either. This was a fantastic story, great characters, wonderful adventure, topped off by a perfect ending.
Loved it.
Turns out, you don't need either. This was a fantastic story, great characters, wonderful adventure, topped off by a perfect ending.
Loved it.
Aug 03, 2011
Meg
rated it:
I probably should have gotten a bit more background information on this before reading it, but I was crunched for time. I think my biggest problem was that I didn't like the main character, but I don't really think we're supposed to.
Jul 28, 2011
ingenious idea...taking Shakespeare's MACBETH and weaving a new, viseral set of characters. Gilly...a true heroine in a man's world of deceit.
Sep 27, 2009
Dorothy
rated it:
Might have been Betsy who suggested this book to me. If so, thanks! Entertaining retelling of Macbeth from the viewpoint of the teenaged third witch.
Oct 08, 2011
Bobbie
rated it:
An really interesting premise, with some insight into lives of folks at the time, but somehow ultimately a bit disappointing.
Jul 26, 2011
2010- Found this to be a fairly good retelling of ""Macbeth"" from one of the witch's point of view. Made me want to reread the original!
Sep 08, 2010
Tami
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Loved this. A definite must for any Shakespeare fan! Told from the point of view of one of the three witches who prophesy to Macbeth.
Jan 19, 2010
Phair
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This book was such a pleasant surprise- the first book that I felt inclined to rave about in ages. I liked the language, the pace, the characters. Loved the way she integrated the actual Shakespeare dialog into the novel without it seeming forced. Reminded me of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead in that it had the play going on in the background while we saw bits of that action from a totally different point of view. Suggested this for f2f discussion group- we read it along with the play.
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Oct 13, 2009
Susan
rated it:
It's so sad that I'm so picky lately. I had high hopes for this one, but it turned out not so great. I don't know anything about Macbeth so maybe that's why I didn't like this book. I like witches and folklore, but I didn't like Gilly. She had a multiple personality disorder or something. I am going to kill Him, I guess I won't kill Him, maybe I will kill Him, maybe not, should I kill Him? Holy cow--make a decision already! If your life is an arrow, then just get the job done. If not, mo
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Feb 11, 2008
Wendy
rated it:
This is the telling of Macbeth from the perspective of one of the three witches, a teenaged girl named Gilly. It's a coming of age story that takes place in 11th-Century Scotland and focuses on Gilly's desire for revenge. It might have been written for young adults (I don't really know), but it's an interesting story for adults as well.
Fast paced, but poetic enough to retain the mood of Macbeth:
"I am a gapeseed, a strutting hobbledee horse, full of fury and threats but ab More...
Fast paced, but poetic enough to retain the mood of Macbeth:
"I am a gapeseed, a strutting hobbledee horse, full of fury and threats but ab More...
Oct 16, 2011
Gayla
rated it: 
Overwritten in a gratingly earnest, faux-medieval high-fantasy kind of way. By the end I was contemplating a drinking game based on the number of times characters said "'Tis" and "'Twas." Other distinguishing features: long passages in italics and an insistence on referring to one character as He and Him. The plot is fine, but the way the book was written and the ever-increasing Mary-Sue-osity of the main character irritated me beyond belief.
Oct 16, 2010
Roberto
rated it:
A retelling of the famous Shakespeare´s play " Macbeth". In this novel , we learn the truth about the " double, double, toil and trouble" fame witches. At first I was finding the novel a little slow but then it gathers interest as the tale is unravelled. Oh boy , this novel portrays an even more wicked Lady Macbeth... It will help if you are acquainted with the play to full understand this book.
Mar 07, 2008
dana
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 03, 2007
treehugger
rated it:
I read it a little while ago..maybe 2 years? But I do remember that this book really surprised me and surpassed any expectations I had for it. I had picked it up at a used book store and just thought it would get me through a lengthy plane ride - and it did, but also so much more! You'll just have to read it to find out, but it took me 24 hours, I just couldn't put it down.
