A great retelling of a classic. The art is pretty basic in my opinion but I think this would be a great way to introduce a younger audience to the story.

Manga Classics: Macbeth is such a great way to expose newer audiences to the classic works of Shakespeare. The artwork is in a modern style that will appeal to anime/manga fans new and old, and having the "olde English" traditional text incorporated into a modern art style helps make the text more digestible for student readers.

I believe this book would be a great addition to a school curriculum.

#MacbethMangaclassics #NetGalley

I love classics, and Shakespeares plays are no exception but sometimes it is really hard for me to follow and understand especially when I somehow don’t have any background knowledge of the plot whatsoever.
This manga classic does do justice to the original while also adding visual entertainment and context. Like I loved the artwork, it was stunning… I think I would have benefited from a short summary in modern English at some point so I could’ve followed along easier.

I loved this manga rendition of a classic i also love. It's fantastic that new life can be put into a classic like this

I think this would be a perfect way to get reluctant readers, and kids, to read this fantastic and age-old tale.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

William Shakespeare’s *Macbeth* remains a timeless exploration of ambition, power, and the psychological turmoil that follows the pursuit of unchecked desires. This classic tale, presented here in a faithful adaptation that preserves the original text, offers readers a chance to experience one of Shakespeare’s most intense and compelling tragedies in its authentic form.

At the heart of *Macbeth* is the eponymous Scottish general whose encounter with a trio of witches sets the stage for his dramatic fall. The witches’ prophecy that Macbeth will one day become King of Scotland ignites a burning ambition within him. Encouraged by his equally ambitious wife, Lady Macbeth, he murders King Duncan and usurps the throne. However, the initial triumph quickly unravels into a spiral of guilt and paranoia.

Shakespeare’s language, rich with poetic complexity and psychological depth, is preserved in this edition, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the original Elizabethan text. The intricate interplay between Macbeth’s internal conflict and the external consequences of his actions is rendered with remarkable intensity. The play’s exploration of themes such as the corrupting influence of power and the disintegration of moral integrity is as relevant today as it was in the 17th century.

The faithful adaptation ensures that the raw emotional power of the original text is retained, offering readers an authentic glimpse into Shakespeare’s world. The grandeur of Macbeth’s rise and the subsequent horror of his downfall are depicted with all the tragic grandeur that Shakespeare intended.

This edition is not only a valuable resource for students and scholars of Shakespeare but also a captivating read for anyone interested in classic literature. The preservation of the original text provides a true sense of the play’s historical and literary context, enriching the reader’s understanding of one of Shakespeare’s greatest works.

For those seeking to delve into the dark and dramatic world of Macbeth, this faithful adaptation is a fitting tribute to Shakespeare’s genius and an essential addition to any literary collection. Enjoy the intricate beauty and enduring relevance of *Macbeth* as you traverse the murky depths of ambition, guilt, and fate.

Netgalley Review

Star Rating: ★★★★☆

It's Macbeth. You get exactly what you expect. I've seen bad reviews on Goodreads because people "didn't understand' the book, or they "didn't like the old timey language". So, before you pick this book up you need to realize two things.

1) This is a work by Shakespeare. You get what you get with Shakespeare. Some of it is a little hard to understand at times. From The Taming of the Shrew, to Macbeth, to Titus Andronicus. He writes a little of everything and some of it needs some understanding of the culture/politics/etc. of the time that it was written.

2) Full Original Text Editio0n. It says so on the cover. ORIGINAL. TEXT. That means this is written in "old timey". If you're not a fan of old timey than you won't like this book.

If you understand that then you'll enjoy this book. Now, if you still don't like the book and have a legitimate problem with it you are allowed to give it a bad review. For crying out loud though. Don't give any book a bad review because of your own ineptitudes. Overall graphics are well done and add some life to the story! Solid edition.

Like always though, read it and decide for yourself

I have said this many times and I think the Manga Classics are genius.

I have a teenage daughter who has dyslexia, she struggles with reading but loves it, this way she can read, digest and understand this form of classic book. The visual clues that explain the tricky imagery is ideal.

Manga Classics: Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Rating: ★★★☆☆

As a fan of both manga and Shakespeare, I was eager to dive into the Manga Classics version of Macbeth. The art style is undeniably beautiful, capturing the eerie atmosphere and dark themes with expressive characters and dynamic panels. However, despite the stunning artwork, the story didn’t captivate me as much as I had hoped. The pacing felt uneven, and the complexity of Shakespeare’s language sometimes hindered the flow. While this adaptation offers a unique perspective and is worth exploring for its artistic merit, it may not fully resonate with readers looking for a more gripping experience.

I think I'm the right audience for this book, as I struggle with difficult or antiquated dialogue (Shakespeare being some of the more difficult I can think of!), and I also remember zero about the works of Shakespeare since school is so far behind me. I also love Manga Classics as a company and their mission to make classic content more accessible and modern.

In that sense, this was a success. The art is gorgeous, backgrounds are fantastic, and it made the story much easier to follow, even for someone like me. I still struggled to understand what was going on since the Shakespeare dialogue is used as-is, and it still was too difficult for me to follow / I kept getting distracted. But I can see how this would be an excellent entry point into his works, especially for teenagers needing to read Macbeth for a school assignment, and wanting a more accessible intro into what happens.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this.

4.5 stars

What is not to like about this?
Macbeth is a perfect fit for a manga because of its physical elements, fights, action and the supernatural.
This is a detailed, well-executed, ideal-length and well-illustrated classic. I recommend to both Macbeth-lovers and manga-lovers who are reading Macbeth for the first time. It is a good start and does not reduce the story to a one-layered paneled story. It conserves the quality of the original story.

Welcome to the Manga Classics brilliant adaptation of Macbeth! In this classic tale by William Shakespeare, a brave Scottish general named Macbeth receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne for himself. He is then wracked with guilt and paranoia.

I had to read a synopsis for each act because I struggle to understand old English. Other than that the graphics were great and it really helped with context clues of what was going on, if I could not understand the text. I really enjoy the Manga Classics Collection.

I really think that these Manga's of classic stories are a really good way to bring these stories to life for a newer audience. The art and new spin on these short stories really put them in a new perspective as you can see what is going on in the story.

I loved the art style, I've read a few other of the manga classics and I understood it more than when I read the full book.
I think it's a perfect addition and helps those understand the story much better.

“When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
When the hurly-burly’s done.
When the battle’s lost and won.”

Enter the world of William Shakespeare like you’ve never seen it before. Macbeth, Scottish Thane of Glamis, expert warrior and leader, encounters three mysterious witches which speak to him of a future where he will rule the kingdom. Consumed by the words of the witches three, Macbeth and his wife begin to plot against King Duncan, as they are drawn ever deeper into a sea of blood and death. Armies clash, and prophecies defy expectations, as the fate of Scotland is contested. And now, all the action, adventure, and intrigue of this classic play is presented in high-quality manga form, with all the familiar text you know and love.
Manga Classics: Macbeth is an incredible manga version of one of Shakespeare’s most memorable plays. The highly detailed art by Julien Choy adds another dimension to this beloved play, with incredible character designs and epic battlefield action. Indeed, the art aids newcomers to the plays of Shakespeare with understanding some of the more abstract concepts, such as the apparitions summoned by the witches as Macbeth fights to learn more about his cursed future. This manga is available in both the original full-text version and a quality modern English adaptation with text updated by Crystal S. Chan. Either version is a great resource for educators, and is perfectly suited for group reading in the classroom. With this engaging manga adaptation, both newcomers and long-time Shakespeare fans alike can enjoy an accessible version of the play without compromising the any of the integrity of the original work. All in all, this is an excellent way to showcase this classic play in all its glory, and this book can be enjoyed by all who love the wonderful worlds of William Shakespeare.
As with all Shakespeare plays, this book contains some content that is not appropriate for young readers. Blood, mortality, language, and suggestive themes are present in the manga, just as they were in the original play, making this book suitable for ages 16 and up. A perfect choice for educators, newcomers to Shakespeare, and all those who love this classic work, Manga Classics: Macbeth is a great new way to enjoy this magnificent story of intrigue, prophecy, and deadly ambition.

Retelling of a classic in a fun modern manga style. Loved the story and characters. Extremely creative and imaginative.

It's interesting to see classics and Manga form. It made the store a little more easier to understand. However I would have rated this higher, but I realize Macbeth isn't one of my favorite stories. As far as the art goes it was well done. So three stars for I did not dislike it but didnt love it. Its somewhere right in the middle.

Would I read this again? Possibly.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

I didn't particularly enjoy the story or having to get through a bunch of old English, but it was way easier to get through in this format than if it would have been just text. Some of the characters looked a little too similar for me, especially since it's in black and white. The cesarean thing seemed like a bit of a stretch. But that's the fault of Shakespeare, not the adaptation.

The more Manga Classics books I see, the more convinced I am that those should be stocked by school libraries. They have everything the original book has, and nothing is lost plot-wise, but when they are turned into Mangas – magic happens, and the not-too-exciting reads turn into a fun adventure.
Let’s agree it’s time to stop pretending that old, ancient Shakespeare texts are enjoyable reads for kids at schools. Because they are not. They never were. Not in the way they are written and not nowadays. They are ok as plays, they are ok as movies, they are ok as cartoons. And turns out, they are great as Mangas.
I see this as another example of repackaging the old content into a brand new box, and – it looks exciting, it looks interesting enough for most teens to read. And they get the job done – kids get to know literature classics. Those who are hooked can always grab the original text, it isn’t going anywhere, right?

I have read this story previously for school, and the artwork truly was beautiful. I liked Hecate, and the three witches especially along with Lady Macbeth, however I felt like the story could have been easier accessed if it hadn't been written in Shakespearean language. I feel as though these books should be greatly re worded in order for kids to be able to read them and connect with them and be able to enjoy the classics with less effort. Maybe many would disagree, but reading a classic can be so off putting because you have to carefully assess every sentence you read to fully understand and grasp meaning, and I think that could have been avoided here.

The illustrations in this manga version were beautiful. The character drawings and backgrounds were phenomenal. It sucks that I just couldn’t understand the majority of the text because I feel like understanding the text could’ve helped me appreciate the illustrations more.