Macbeth: A Graphic Novel

Shakespeare's classic story of dark ambition, madness, and murder springs to life in a masterful new graphic novel by Gareth Hinds.

Set against the moody backdrop of eleventh-century Scotland, Gareth Hinds’s captivating, richly illustrated interpretation takes readers into the claustrophobic mind of a man driven mad by ambition. An evil seed takes root in the mind of Macbeth, a general in the king’s army, when three witches tell him he will one day be king. At the urging of his wife, he resolves to take the throne by the most direct path: a dagger in the heart of King Duncan. But “blood will have blood,” and when others grow suspicious of his sudden rise to power, is Macbeth prepared to commit more murders to keep the crown?

“Hinds offers another sensitive adaptation of classic literature in this beautifully colored and evocative rendition of Shakespeare's Macbeth.... Students struggling to find an entry point into the Scottish play should look no further than this entertaining and elucidating volume. Along with Hinds' earlier Beowulf (2007) and The Odyssey (2010), an essential addition to Shakespeare collections as well as curricular support materials. -Booklist (starred review) With its simple, linear plot, its witches and its ghosts, its clear-cut moral questions about the lure of evil and whether and how we control our own fates, ( Macbeth ) is well suited for teenagers. Gareth Hinds's stellar new graphic-novel adaptation, aimed at a young adult audience, makes that abundantly clear. The play also, of course, features some epic fight scenes and lots and lots of blood, and Hinds makes the most of these opportunities to show how naturally Shakespeare takes to the comics form. -The New York Times Following his adaptations of Romeo and Juliet , The Merchant of Venice , and King Lear , Hinds turns to the story of the Scottish king who is ruined by his ambition.... Judicious abridging and even rewording make the text more accessible, yet Shakespeare's language is preserved throughout. "What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?" Lady Macbeth cries as she tries frantically to clean her hands of blood, a moment whose intensity Hinds drives home with close-ups of dozens of hands rubbing each other, over and over. Such visceral, violent imagery is common-Hinds understands, as Shakespeare did, that sorcery and gore are powerful draws. -Publishers Weekly Hinds's Macbeth will make a solid addition to any graphic novel collection, especially those looking for accessible, enjoyable, and quality Shakespeare adaptations. -School Library Journal An adaptation both respectful and daring. -Kirkus Reviews Hinds provides an authentic and powerful entry point into the original play. -Horn Book”

Hinds offers another sensitive adaptation of classic literature in this beautifully colored and evocative rendition of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.... Students struggling to find an entry point into the Scottish play should look no further than this entertaining and elucidating volume. Along with Hinds’ earlier Beowulf (2007) and The Odyssey (2010), an essential addition to Shakespeare collections as well as curricular support materials.
—Booklist (starred review)

Teachers and students alike can rejoice that Hinds has turned his considerable talent for graphic adaptation to the Scottish play.... This is an essential addition to Hinds’ growing library of engrossing adaptations and a must-have companion to Shakespeare’s original.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

With its simple, linear plot, its witches and its ghosts, its clear-cut moral questions about the lure of evil and whether and how we control our own fates, (Macbeth) is well suited for teenagers. Gareth Hinds’s stellar new graphic-novel adaptation, aimed at a young adult audience, makes that abundantly clear. The play also, of course, features some epic fight scenes and lots and lots of blood, and Hinds makes the most of these opportunities to show how naturally Shakespeare takes to the comics form.
—The New York Times

Following his adaptations of Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, and King Lear, Hinds turns to the story of the Scottish king who is ruined by his ambition.... Judicious abridging and even rewording make the text more accessible, yet Shakespeare’s language is preserved throughout. “What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?” Lady Macbeth cries as she tries frantically to clean her hands of blood, a moment whose intensity Hinds drives home with close-ups of dozens of hands rubbing each other, over and over. Such visceral, violent imagery is common—Hinds understands, as Shakespeare did, that sorcery and gore are powerful draws.
—Publishers Weekly

Hinds’s Macbeth will make a solid addition to any graphic novel collection, especially those looking for accessible, enjoyable, and quality Shakespeare adaptations.
—School Library Journal

An adaptation both respectful and daring.
—Kirkus Reviews

Hinds provides an authentic and powerful entry point into the original play.
—Horn Book

Gareth Hinds is the acclaimed creator of the graphic novels The Odyssey, Beowulf, Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, and King Lear. He lives near Washington, D.C.

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