Joel H. Morris—Exploring Lady Macbeth

Joel H. Morris—Exploring Lady Macbeth

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This week’s episode brings you a conversation with Joel H. Morris. His debut novel, All Our Yesterdays, releases next week, and it’s the origin story of the famous lady featured in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. Joel and I discussed his love of Shakespeare and how he became fascinated with one of the most studied female literary figures.

Here’s a description of Joel’s novel:

A propulsive and piercing debut, set ten years before the events of Shakespeare’s historic play, about the ambition, power, and fate that define one of literature’s most notorious figures: Lady Macbeth.

Scotland, the 11th Century. Born in a noble household and granddaughter of a forgotten Scottish king, a young girl carries the guilt of her mother’s death and the weight of an unknowable prophecy. When she is married, at fifteen, to the Mormaer of Moray, she experiences firsthand the violence of a sadistic husband and a kingdom constantly at war. To survive with her young son in a superstitious realm, she must rely on her own cunning and wit, especially when her husband’s downfall inadvertently sets them free.

Suspicious of the dark devices that may have led to his father’s death, her son watches as his mother falls in love with the enigmatic thane Macbeth. Now a woman of stature, Lady Macbeth confronts a world of masculine power and secures the protection of her family. But the coronation of King Duncan and the political maneuvering of her cousin Macduff set her on a tragic course, one where her own success might mean embracing the very curse that haunts her and risking the child she loves.

Purchase All Our Yesterdays on Amazon (affiliate).

Check out Joel’s website, and follow him on Instagram.

Ways you can help the show:

Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!

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Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!

2 Comments
  • NJ (Nancy) Mastro
    Posted at 15:39h, 25 May Reply

    Well done. Thank you for this thoroughly engaging interview with Dr. Morris. He has pulled off a significant feat by combining into a historical novel the life of a fictional character (from the play Macbeth) with the actual Lady Macbeth. I had just finished reading it and was thrilled to hear more about what went into writing it. Through his website I discovered this podcast and will definitely be listening to more episodes!

    • Alison Treat
      Posted at 05:23h, 28 May Reply

      Nancy, that’s great to hear! I’m so glad you enjoyed the episode, and I hope you will listen to more back episodes. Thanks so much for commenting!

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