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Page 158 Books is exctied to welcome author Valerie Nieman back to the store for the release of her new novel, Upon the Corner of the Moon: A Tale of the Macbeths--out March 11th.At the dawn of the second millennium, two royal Scottish children are swept away from their families—Macbeth to the perilous royal court of his grandfather, and Gruach to the remnants of the goddess-worshiping Picts. Macbeth learns that blood bonds are easily severed while Gruach finds her path only to lose it when she’s summoned back to the patriarchal world. Each struggle with gaining and losing power, guided and misguided by prophecy and politics as their paths converge in a fiery bid for royal succession. Upon the Corner of the Moon separates literary legend from reality, immersing readers in a story about the real rulers who changed the face of Scotland. Some legends are true, and the truth sometimes becomes a legend—or a lie. This novel masterfully dovetails the Macbeth legend and the truth without sacrificing either.
For fans of historical fiction: Upon the Corner of the Moon immerses readers in a time almost at the edge of legend, but populated by very real people who changed the face of Scotland. This is the Macbeth no one knows, rightful king and the uniter of Picts and Scots, and a Lady Macbeth who represents feminine spirituality. An epic story that is also intimate and family-centered. Book discussion/book club favorite: There’s a lot for readers to debate in this book, starting with upended expectations about the place and people. Deeply researched, the story hews to history, though for “Lady Macbeth” all we know is her name. In these empty spaces, the author compellingly creates a Pictish history based on ancient Goddess religion, as well as the last remnants of druidical power and learning.
Valerie Nieman’s In the Lonely Backwater won the 2022 Sir Walter Raleigh Award and was a Foreword INDIES Book of the Year finalist. Her critically acclaimed work includes To the Bones, Blood Clay (Eric Hoffer Award), and collections of poetry and short fiction. She has held state and NEA creative writing fellowships. A graduate of West Virginia University and Queens University of Charlotte, she is professor emerita at NC A&T State University.
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