The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf

Praise

One of Brit & Co’s Most Anticipated Books for 2025

“In this engaging historical novel, Arsén brings to life a captivating protagonist, Margaret Wolf, a passionate Shakespearean stage actress wrestling with inner demons . . . As in her debut, Shoot the Moon, Arsén injects light magical Realism . . . When Margaret and Wesley—richly dimensional, sympathetic, and invariably thirsty players with plenty to lose—are thrust into dangerous territory, they are forced to perform the best dramatic performance of their lives.” —Booklist (starred review)

“This historical novel may be of interest to readers who enjoy fiction about theater and the United States at midcentury . . . A good pick for fans of Patti Callahan Henry and Marie Benedict.” —Orange County Register

“Arsén’s sophomore effort is equal parts sultry and cultured, featuring two Shakespearian actors in a unusual but emotionally fulfilling marriage of convenience who find themselves in a sticky situation.” —CrimeReads

“With sensitivity to a range of queer relationships as well as to Margaret’s unraveling psyche, Arsén paints a vivid portrait of 1950s backstage culture. The demands and compulsions of theater life create a satisfying backdrop for historical fiction that works as a page-turner. The play’s not the only thing here; Arsén’s players intrigue as well.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Isa Arsén’s The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf is one of the smartest books I’ve read this year. Arsén’s deft portrayal of Margaret and Wesley’s unconventional relationship, set against a fascinating theatrical backdrop and laced with Shakespearean drama, makes for a gripping, heartfelt and poignant read.” —Kelly Rimmer, author of The Things We Cannot Say

“With exquisite writing and vivid emotion, Arsén pulls you into the 50s in a way that is both atmospheric and thrilling, setting you right on stage alongside Margaret through not only her performances, but also her life. The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf is a book that will stay with you long after you read the last page.” —Madeline Martin, author of The Last Bookshop in London
 
“The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf is a juicy portrait of a troubled artist and her unconventional life. Isa Arsén’s novel is a window into the mind of a talented actress who is thwarted by the limitations and expectations of her era. Arsén writes with so much sympathy and precision. I’ve never read anything quite like it. Every chapter is a jewel.” —Lauren Fox, author of Send for Me

“The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf got under my skin in the best kind of way. A captivating, bewitching and utterly original read.” —Tova Mirvis, author of The Ladies of Auxilliary

“The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf is an easy-to-devour page-turner that spins themes of an unconventional marriage, Shakespearean theatre, and the unraveling of a woman not made for her time into a deeply moving, gripping story.” —Juliet McDaniel, author of Mr. And Mrs. American Pie

“Arsén writes with ferocious intensity about identity, desire, and what it meant to a woman in mid-century America. The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf is a dark, fascinating character study that will stay with you long after its final page.” —Rowan Beaird, author of The Divorcées

“The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf is a triumph of genre-melding: a Shakespearean revenge plot by way of a flinty-eyed Western standoff with noir-inflected stakes (and crackling dialogue to match). An absorbing page-turner about a woman always determined to obliterate herself in the performance of her next role, and the people who refuse to let her.” —Olivia Wolfgang-Smith, author of Mutual Interest and Glassworks

“Arsén writes with tender attention to her characters’ moods and follies. An intimate rendition of one woman on the edge, and an indelible portrait of mid-century theatre, of performance and artifice alike. The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf is an incandescent work of drama.” —C. Michelle Lindley, author of The Nude

“Margaret Wolf is an astonishing character; the narrator’s wry observations and Arsén’s lush prose lull you into a false sense of security as Margaret spends a summer exploring suppressed desires and struggling to define herself against midcentury American expectations of women . . . just up until the shocking conclusion.” —Emily Dunlay, author of Teddy