This book is a great adaptation of the play. The novel format lends itself well to Shakespeare - the characters are more drawn out and easier to relate to. Hartley (a Shakespeare professor) and Hewson show great reverence for the play with the changes they've made. The conflicts are more drawn out. The writers establish a broader historical context that the drama is played against while still maintain the intimate balance of the individual character arcs. In particular, Lord and Lady Macbeth (she get a first name in the novel) are a likeable and loving couple at the opening of the story. I really liked their characterizations.I do miss some of the flourish of Shakespeare's language, but on balance this novel hits more than it misses. Rather than a direct translation of Shakespeare, the authors have done what he did: tell the most exciting bits and make it relevant to the audience of the day. If I have any criticism of Shakespeare's work, it's that many of his stories are told in fast forward. Such is the nature of a stage play. In this case, the story is expanded so as to tell what a stage play cannot, delving deeper into character that dialogue can, and depicting battles that might otherwise get glossed over. The result is a wonderfully told story of which I daresay the bard would approve. Another point worth mentioning: the biggest issue I have with modern performances of Shakespeare is the incessant need to modernize the story and take characters out of their historical context. This version places the story in Medieval Scotland and makes it feel real. There is a verisimilitude to it that draws you in and makes you believe it.
What do You think about Macbeth (2011)?
Listening to an audiobook meant I heard the delicious Scotish accents. Macbeth - true to the story.
—dhaval
A brutal and wonderful re-telling of a classic.
—sania
