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)

Destiny Dies With Corruption

I really liked this adaptation of the Scottish play. Alan Cumming did a clear and admirable job in narration and took us along seamlessly with interwoven skill. Writer's Hartley and Hewson did nice turn for the old cautionary tale.

Very Enjoyable

I had just finished Hamlet: A Novel, loved it, and right into this. I enjoyed this even more. The whole idea behind their books could turn out horribly, but as Shakespearean scholars, they do an excellent job of developing they motivation and characters of the MacBeths. I especially found their portrayal of the Weird Sisters to be wonderful.

Not at all what I expected!

Alan Cumming's performance was amazing. What a voice.
The story was excellent. Hartley and Hewson fleshed out the story and added some interesting twists. The perspective of the Macbeth's was also interesting.
I had decided to read one "classic" a month and chose Macbeth thinking it would be tedious. What a pleasant surprise. This was a good listen.

Shakespeare would be proud.

Would you listen to Macbeth: A Novel again? Why?

I would listen to this book again just to hear Alan Cumming!!! He is one of my all-time favorite actors and his voice is like melting butter. His narration of this novel is flawless and brings the Scotland of Macbeth to life. I am a Shakespeare fanatic and was not sure about a 'novel' about Macbeth. But, it works. It brings out the backgound, the country, the influences that are not discussed in detail in the play. I can only hope that Mr. Hartley and Mr. Hewson will do similar work with some of the other plays. And if Alan Cumming can narrate, the pleasure will be all mine.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Macbeth: A Novel?

In the beginning when Duncan found out who the Norwegian 'ambassador' was. I have seen 'Macbeth' performed several times but this book fleshed out the history of the times and helped explain Macbeth the man.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Everything! No one, to my knowledge, could have done such a superior performance. Alan Cumming was a brilliant choice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made be marvel at the talent of all involved. And...at the Bard in particular.

Any additional comments?

Hope to read/hear more like this.

Alan Cumming makes the story

What did you like best about this story?

Alan Cumming narrating in his native speaking voice makes this worth the listen. The story is not that different from the Shakespeare version but its a fun listen.

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

Not a very long novel so did not take me long to listen to.

Amazing!

Would you listen to Macbeth: A Novel again? Why?

I have listened to this book twice since downloading. My husband was very skeptical when I chose Macbeth for our trip. Shakespeare is NOT his thing. But he loved it. The updated story retained all the classic elements, but was so easy to understand.

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

The Last Man in Rome. The historical aspects were excellent and remained true to the time period.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

The accent was wonderful and he brought each character their own voice.

Not nearly as good as Hamlet

I picked this piece up because it was by the same authors who wrote Hamlet, which won book of the year 2014. Not because it was any less well done, nor anything to do with Alan Cummings brilliant performance, it just failed to get me really interested. Macbeth is just a much darker, creepier story than Hamlet and I personally couldn't get into it.

Excellent, but not as good as their Hamlet

They added a lot to the story, filling in many details. I loved it!

All the plays...

...please! This is the first of two novelisations written by this very talented pair of Shakespeare's plays. I listened to both of them this week, having just happened upon their retelling of Hamlet. Bravo! True enough to their source, they also breathe new life into them. Whether you are already familiar with the tales or, perhaps even more so, if you are not, give either of these a listen. Time and credits well spent indeed.

Magnificent

I really appreciate the complexity and genuine realism, amist Legends and classic Celtic musings, formidable to the amazing classic.
Brings a different Humanity, understanding of vulnerability to human nature.
The things unsaid in the Shakespeare masterpiece, and perhaps felt in the heart.