Macbeth: A Novel

By: A. J. Hartley, David Hewson

Narrated by: Alan Cumming

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Macbeth: A Novel brings the intricacy and grit of the historical thriller to Shakespeare’s tale of political intrigue, treachery, and murder. In this full-length novel written exclusively for audio, authors A. J. Hartley and David Hewson rethink literature’s most infamous married couple, grounding them in a medieval Scotland whose military and political upheavals are as stark and dramatic as the landscape on which they are played.

Macbeth is a war hero and a patriot, doing everything in his power to hold together Duncan’s crumbling kingdom, which is beset by sedition from within and with threats from overseas. But when Duncan, contrary to ancient Scottish tradition, turns to building a family dynasty instead of rewarding those who have borne the brunt of the fighting, Macbeth and his powerful wife, Skena, make plans of their own, plans designed to hold both the nation and their strained relationship together. Sinister figures who claim supernatural knowledge spur them on, but the terrible outcome is as much about accident and failure as it is malevolence. Soon Macbeth and his wife find themselves preeminent in all the land, but struggling to hold themselves and their country together as former friends turn into bitter and deadly enemies.

This is Macbeth as you have not heard it before: fresh, edgy, and vital. It is a story of valor in battle, whispering in shadows, witchcraft in the hollows of an ancient landscape, and the desperate struggle of flawed people to do what they think is right.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

A. J. Hartley, a professor of Shakespeare at the Univ. of North Carolina-Charlotte, is the author of the “Will Hawthorne” fantasy series as well as several thrillers.
David Hewson is the best-selling author of 16 novels, including the Rome-based “Nic Costa” crime series.

ABOUT THE NARRATOR

Alan Cumming stars in CBS's The Good Wife, for which he received an Emmy nomination, and is the host of PBS’s Masterpiece Mystery. He was honored with the 2011 Audie Award for Best Male Narrator.

The Irish folk song “She Moved Through the Fair” is performed by Heather O'Neil of the Irish Repertory Theater.

©2011 A.J. Hartley, David Hewson (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Not only is the novel an amplification of Shakespeare's famous tragedy, but it also fills in many of the gaps and gives a new perspective on Macbeth….Alan Cumming reads in a luscious Scottish brogue, which adds authenticity to the narration. His subtle changes of voice for different characters provide a full cast for this story of ambition and hubris. This is a wonderful novel of the human condition, read with ardor and enthusiasm.” ( AudioFile)

I love the original Macbeth and this

I thought this was a modern translation not a twist on the story. it's amazing none the less. anyone should listen to this

Can't Say Enough Good Things about This Novel

As a lover of the bard, I came to this one with plenty of skepticism...and came away completely thrilled that I had purchased it. Part actual history, part Shakespearean lines, it's wonderful. Hewson and Hartley made a fantastic team. The narration gave the book the honor it's due. I've taught Macbeth many times in my English classes; it's my favorite, in fact. This was one of the most satisfying books I've listened to in a long time.

Engaging

I’ve never read or seen McBeth before so I got this audible book and a copy of Folger Library MacBeth with notes and English Lit explanations to follow along with. It’s a great way to understand and enjoy the play/book at the same time. Really enjoyed it and feel like I’m beginning to close a bit of a gap in my education. Better late than never!

Outstanding in every way

One of the few audiobooks I'll listen to again. Alan Cumming does a wonderful job with an excellent book.

Excellent adaptation of Macbeth.

Enjoyed the new perspective by the authors, but true to the original. The Narrator did an admirable job of reading Macbeth. However, I believe his attempt at female voices left much to be desired . Skinner in particular sounded a bit too masculine for the description in the book. I would advise using a female for future works as this would’ve made the awkward Skinner voice a bit more realistic .

Not the Macbeth That You Know and Love

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the novelization of Hamlet by these same authors, this attempt to make Macbeth into a novel so greatly reimagined the characters and stretched the storyline that one hardly recognizes Shakespeare's original story in it. I found it to be disturbingly dark and over-sexualized. it is definitely not a book that will get more than one read by me.

The Hill of Credulity

Where does Macbeth: A Novel rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very evocative setting and wonderful narration: high up on my list

What other book might you compare Macbeth: A Novel to and why?

I heard the authors' adaptation of Hamlet immediately prior. I liked that so much I decided to try this. (Now I'm listening to one of the authors' version of Romeo + Juliet). The novelization of Shakespeare is a great idea--intelligently executed and imaginatively delivered.

What about Alan Cumming’s performance did you like?

His Scots accent wonderfully enlivens and chills the reader. I may be the only listener who had never heard this actor's voice before. His brogue enhances the landscape powerfully.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. The one slight drawback of this compared to Hamlet was that not every scene gripped me. Not sure if this is due to the source material or the fictionalization and expansion. While the play as heard remained smartly done and well written, it had a bit less inherent interest. Unlike Hamlet, the authors chose not to organize material into five acts. This may have blurred some events and connections. Admittedly, I know Hamlet very well from frequent study, while Macbeth has been left (no offense!) on my Shakespeare shelf by comparison.

Any additional comments?

Again, the concept of these adaptations is wonderful. Alan Cumming makes this worth a listen by nearly anyone. As it's been decades since I read this in high school, it's a testament to the story how much came back into my memory, thanks to author and most of all narrator.

Amazing performance!

If you could sum up Macbeth: A Novel in three words, what would they be?

Vivid, tragic, stirring

What did you like best about this story?

The performance is incredible! The range of talent that Mr. Cumming brings to bear on the sheer number and kinds of characters is amazing. His narration brings Scotland to life...

Which character – as performed by Alan Cumming – was your favorite?

Banquo - with his deep, booming voice and his physical presence.

If you could take any character from Macbeth: A Novel out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Macbeth himself. He seems honorable and just overall, but tragically flawed. I'd love to get to know him better.

Any additional comments?

Listening to this *novel* adapted from Shakespeare just about left me in despair - the story is vivid and the tragedy unfolds perfectly. There is such a remarkable and unstoppable descent to the bitter end that you cannot tear yourself away.

Absolutely brilliant .....

I've never been so sad to see a book come to an end. I saw this on Audibles a couple of months ago and it took me back to high school. I was one of the 3 witches in our Drama Department's production of Macbeth ... you know ... 'double double toil and trouble." I thought that a novel might be an interesting way to refresh with the benefit of Alan Cumming as narrator. Welllll.....what a journey. What a beautifully written and exceptionally narrated story. It captured me from the first chapter and I dragged it along slowly, savouring it, not wanting it to end. The characters were so real, so alive and Alan Cumming's gorgeous accent, segueing from the witches to Macbeth to his wife to everyone else was extraordinary. It is a story, not the play and the story is told so perfectly. I've been to Scotland many times, traveled the country, the Highlands, the western islands, Inverness, the mountains, and this book and narration captured the magnificence of this country so beautifully that on occasion brought tears to my eyes. If you don't read another book, listen to another book, listen to this. The epilogue is written and read by AJ Hartley and he explains the history of the story, how the novel differs from the play ... it is just brilliant. It's going to have to be an incredible next book to top this.

A Different Macbeth

Interesting take on Shakespeare ' Macbeth. Story expands on what is the already known Macbeth play.