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BOOK REVIEW: Macbeth by Jo Nesbø

The latest addition to Hogarth Shakespeare Project is Jo Nesbø’s Macbeth. For those who do not know, Hogarth was launched in London in 2012 to retold one of the greatest stories of all times by modern day bestselling authors of today. Hogarth was founded by Virginia Woolf and her husband Leonard Woolf in 1917.

This modern-day adaption of Shakespeare’s original play, sharing the same title is set in the 1970s. The book starts in a vividly poetic style. It is a crime plus noir version of the play that was written almost 400 years before. It focuses on a police force attempting to shed the drug problem in the local town. A drug lord, who keeps the whole town by the strings as if they are his puppets and him, the puppeteer. He has connections that get him what he wants. Absolute power. A major portion of the main cast is introduced in the first chapter. A Lot happens in the first few chapters which set the speed of the novel.

Macbeth is the captain of the SWAT team. Duncan is the commissioner. Banquo is still Macbeth’s friend and Lady Macbeth renamed as ‘Lady’. There are those three witches which turned the life of Macbeth upside down by implanting the seed of greediness. It does seem Nesbo enjoys a lot by giving these characters a life of their own. The character of Duff, the original Macduff, is developed along with the plot to rain down Macbeth. In the original play, his character was not entirely developed. Nesbø fills this gap in his work.

There are a lot of similarities with the original play. Both sets of characters share almost identical traits. The plot has the identical flow but what makes this book interesting in my opinion is the way it is written. Each and every detail unfolds in front of a reader like an offspring. There are detailing that as a reader you would not expect the author to go into even though you have read the play and know a lot about the plot. Just like the development of characters like Macduff. Every character, now in 21st century breathes on his own. The length of the novel signifies that it is big but I think once you immerse yourself in the book, you will forget about it.

It stays true and close to the original plot. This is the reason I like this book so much and enjoyed reading it. Fans of Shakespeare’s Macbeth will find a delight in this modern-day retelling. Fans of Jo Nesbø’s will appreciate the hard work the writer might have gone through while retelling the tale.

5 out of 5

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Elizabeth says: May 10, 2018 at 12:30 AM How intriguing. I look forward to seeing how she uses the original source. Jane Smiley years ago wrote a great take on "King Lear" called "A Thousand Acres," set in the American midwest.
Raney Simmon says: May 10, 2018 at 12:33 AM Sounds like a book I need to read, seeing that Macbeth is my favorite of Shakespeare’s plays that I’ve read.
bookbeachbunny says: May 10, 2018 at 1:53 AM I was just looking at his site this morning thinking that looked interesting but I didn't bother with anything else or know about the larger project so thanks for the post! I think it's fate telling me this should definitely go on the TBR :)
Martie says: May 10, 2018 at 7:36 AM It is hard to imagine the writer Jo Nesbø retelling one of The Bard's works. But you did such a good job in your review that I get it. I am a huge fan of the Hogarth Shakespeare Project so I am bummed that I missed this one. I might have to break down and buy the book.
Rick Ellrod says: May 12, 2018 at 2:21 AM I did enjoy Vinegar Girl . . . may have to check out some more of these!
Bryan G. Robinson says: May 12, 2018 at 7:30 AM I didn’t realize it was based on the play until recently. I might have to give it a try.

How intriguing. I look forward to seeing how she uses the original source. Jane Smiley years ago wrote a great take on "King Lear" called "A Thousand Acres," set in the American midwest.

@amanhimself says: May 11, 2018 at 6:41 PM I haven't read other delated Hogarth works but I am eager too. Indeed it is very intriguing. I liked the setting of the novel is kept original in Scotland.

I haven't read other delated Hogarth works but I am eager too. Indeed it is very intriguing. I liked the setting of the novel is kept original in Scotland.

Sounds like a book I need to read, seeing that Macbeth is my favorite of Shakespeare’s plays that I’ve read.

@amanhimself says: May 11, 2018 at 6:43 PM It is one of my most likable plays written by the Bard. 😄 The book is quite interesting.

It is one of my most likable plays written by the Bard. 😄 The book is quite interesting.

I was just looking at his site this morning thinking that looked interesting but I didn't bother with anything else or know about the larger project so thanks for the post! I think it's fate telling me this should definitely go on the TBR :)

@amanhimself says: May 11, 2018 at 6:43 PM The signs are right my dear friend. 😄 If you read, I'd love to hear what you think about it 😊

The signs are right my dear friend. 😄 If you read, I'd love to hear what you think about it 😊

It is hard to imagine the writer Jo Nesbø retelling one of The Bard's works. But you did such a good job in your review that I get it. I am a huge fan of the Hogarth Shakespeare Project so I am bummed that I missed this one. I might have to break down and buy the book.

I did enjoy Vinegar Girl . . . may have to check out some more of these!

I didn’t realize it was based on the play until recently. I might have to give it a try.

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