About the Book
-
Author:
- K. Briggs
- Genres:
- Graphic Novels
- Historical Fiction
Cover Story: And Hold Thee To My Heart
BFF Charm: Of Horrid Hell Can Come a Devil More Damned
Talky Talk: (As Upon Thee, Macbeth, Their Speeches Shine)
Arty Art: Shall Draw Him on to His Confusion
Bonus Factors: Enter the Three Witches, A Woman’s Story at a Winter’s Fire
Anti-Bonus Factor: His Secret Murders Sticking on His Hands
Relationship Status: Till then, enough.—Come, Friends
Cover Story: And Hold Thee To My Heart
The tension in the hands reaching for the heart gives a great amount of emotion to this cover. On the whole, it looks medieval, which—appropriate.
The Deal:
After a war between Norway and Scotland, Macbeth is given new titles by the King of Scotland, Duncan. A chance meeting with three witches makes Macbeth long for more, and so he hatches a plan with his wife, Lady Macbeth, to kill Duncan and take the throne. Macbeth thinks he’s in the clear, but the witches return with additional guidance that foretells the end of Macbeth’s short reign—even if he thinks the things they’re suggesting seem totally impossible.
(This version of Macbeth is a graphic adaptation that stays true to the original text. But I couldn’t just say that here and have this be an interesting review, now could I.)
BFF Charm: Of Horrid Hell Can Come a Devil More Damned
Neither Macbeth nor Lady Macbeth are good people. And we’re not talking morally grey villains here, They’re just straight-up murderers. Hard pass.
Talky Talk: (As Upon Thee, Macbeth, Their Speeches Shine)
Even after reading Macbeth multiple times—my favorite of which was in my Shakespeare lecture in college, taught by a professor who chain-smoked and so ran through each class as quickly as possible—I still don’t understand everything that happens in the play, because iambic pentameter and 1600s English. The themes are surprisingly universal, however, and easily translate to modern times.
This Shakespeare guy, I think he’s going places.
Arty Art: Shall Draw Him on to His Confusion
Briggs has a very interesting mixed-media art style that is both beautiful and strange. Certain pages of Macbeth feel very medieval manuscript, while others are a collage. Some panels seem unfinished, and I’m not sure if that’s because I read a review copy or if they’re supposed to be that way. Overall, it’s very ornate and unique; I’m not sure if I like it, but it is a totally new way to experience the story and helps it be more clearly understood. Reading this digitally detracted from the experience, to be honest. It seems like the kind of book that should be printed on rough parchment, with the inked portions raised off the page because they were done with a fountain pen, the collage portions thick and rough, depending. This is a book to be felt, not just viewed.
My biggest complaint is that the text, although in a typeface that emulates handwriting, feels way too modern and doesn’t really mesh well with the almost messy, artistic nature of the rest of the book.
Bonus Factor: Enter the Three Witches
The three witches of Macbeth are some of the most famous in all of literature. They’re depicted nicely in Briggs’ version and are diverse in both race and age. They’re just as spooky as you’d expect—and want.
Bonus Factor: A Woman’s Story at a Winter’s Fire
Briggs takes a few liberties with the play, turning a handful of male characters into female ones. Shakespeare would never (especially since the roles of women in his day were nearly always played by men), but that’s OK. He’s certainly not around to complain, and I’d like to think he’d be open to the idea if he was.
Anti-Bonus Factor: His Secret Murders Sticking on His Hands
The whole plot of Macbeth revolves around murder, and none of the people murdered deserve it. (Save Macbeth, natch.)
Relationship Status: Till then, enough.—Come, Friends
I’ll always have a special place in my heart for you, Play, and this adaptation of your story is a unique experience. I’m all for anything that introduces you to new audiences!
Literary Matchmaking
Robin Talley’s As I Descended is a YA Macbeth retelling with a decidedly different ending.
Lily Anderson’s The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You is another retelling, this time of Much Ado About Nothing.
And Chloe Gong’s These Violent Delights is a reimagining of Romeo and Juliet.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Avery Hill Publishing, but got neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. Macbeth is available now.
