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Mac/Beth: The Price of Fame Shouldn't Be Murder
Duncan King’s death was an accident. It was. I know everyone wants to blame me for it. Make me out to be some evil schemer, but that’s not how it was. I’m just like any other teenage girl. Except that I’m on TV. And my boyfriend is a movie star. Sure, we’re ambitious. Sure, we like to get our way. But that doesn’t mean we’re murderers. Well, not me anyway. I never meant for all those people to die. Especially not Duncan.
Author of Falling for Hamlet, inspiration for The Royals on E!, Michelle Ray has reimagined Shakespeare’s Macbeth and set it in Hollywood. Mac/Beth follows Beth DeAngelo and her boyfriend Garrett Mackenzie (“ship” named MacBeth), as they navigate their rise to fame and their own guilt.
Author of Falling for Hamlet, inspiration for The Royals on E!, Michelle Ray has reimagined Shakespeare’s Macbeth and set it in Hollywood. Mac/Beth follows Beth DeAngelo and her boyfriend Garrett Mackenzie (“ship” named MacBeth), as they navigate their rise to fame and their own guilt.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2015
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77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 21, 2015
Ray's newest modern retelling of a Shakespeare classic would make even the most novice of Shakespeare readers want to read more from the Bard. In this book, just like her debut Falling for Hamlet, she takes one of the most famous and revered pieces of literature and updates it with a modern setting and characters. Even through this reimagining, Ray still captures just how intriguing and exciting Shakespeare can be. By setting the book in modern-day Hollywood with teen actors, Ray keeps the murder and mystery alive.
This modern setting helps put one of Shakespeare's most famous plays into an easy-to-understand context perfect for today's audience. The main plot points are still there, but without all the extraneous and confusing "Shakespeare-ness" that is often unwelcome. One of my favorite things about Ray's story is that, much like Falling for Hamlet, she does an excellent job of incorporating many of the famous Shakespearian lines that are so well connected with the original text. True, she changes and updates them for the modern audience to ensure they flow with her story, but the meaning and intent still exists.
I must admit that Macbeth is one of the few Shakespeare works that I am unfamiliar with. I've never read it and I've never seen any of its many film adaptations. But even though I went into reading Mac/Beth essentially blind of the inspiring text, Ray's writing still brought the story to life. I did not feel lost by my lack of background knowledge of the original play. In fact, I think Ray's book may help me understand the story better should I choose to read Macbeth myself (which I'm sure to do now!).
Whether you're a Shakespeare aficionado or novice, Ray's Mac/Beth is a worthy read.
This modern setting helps put one of Shakespeare's most famous plays into an easy-to-understand context perfect for today's audience. The main plot points are still there, but without all the extraneous and confusing "Shakespeare-ness" that is often unwelcome. One of my favorite things about Ray's story is that, much like Falling for Hamlet, she does an excellent job of incorporating many of the famous Shakespearian lines that are so well connected with the original text. True, she changes and updates them for the modern audience to ensure they flow with her story, but the meaning and intent still exists.
I must admit that Macbeth is one of the few Shakespeare works that I am unfamiliar with. I've never read it and I've never seen any of its many film adaptations. But even though I went into reading Mac/Beth essentially blind of the inspiring text, Ray's writing still brought the story to life. I did not feel lost by my lack of background knowledge of the original play. In fact, I think Ray's book may help me understand the story better should I choose to read Macbeth myself (which I'm sure to do now!).
Whether you're a Shakespeare aficionado or novice, Ray's Mac/Beth is a worthy read.
March 15, 2015
Love love love. Fast paced, insightful, and full of suspense. I don't usually read YA books but have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Highly recommended!
March 16, 2016
When considering a Macbeth re-imagining you have to take into account the main themes of the original - specifically the quest for power and the ambition of the main characters. Michelle Ray powerfully portrays Mac's ambition, how easily negative emotions can be manipulated. A few well-chosen words to the right person can cause huge repercussions especially when they are open to interpretation. You only have to picture the witches prophecies to understand the impact of this.
Taking the quest for power from the violent physical battles in the historical setting (Macbeth was written in 1605 the year of the gunpowder plot) to the covert manipulation of gossip and media in a modern context, yet resulting in the same devastation.
Michelle Ray switches up the character traits within Mac/Beth, dislike of Duncan is a powerful connector at the start of the book. Whereas, the original Macbeth the death of Duncan is intentional the re-imagining features a violent accident. The way in which the death is dealt with however, does make you question the characters intent. Beth's actions are in direct contradiction to everything we have learned about her so far.
The integration of original lines from Shakespeare reinforce the plot and themes of the original within the re-imagining.
The symbolism with the blood is ingeniously woven into the plot mirroring the original and reinforcing the aspects of the themes woven through the original.
I've got to be honest and say that while reading I was desperately connecting the plot to the themes within the original play, while not blatantly obvious within the narrative the themes provide a deeper understanding of the original and a great way for teens to connect with the characters. For me it was the theme of manipulation, coercion and the quest for power which in this case equates to fame that really stood out within the narrative.
Michelle Ray provides a fresh take on a classic while maintaining and clarifying the themes of the original. I am a huge fan especially when it's going to help students connect with the classics.
Taking the quest for power from the violent physical battles in the historical setting (Macbeth was written in 1605 the year of the gunpowder plot) to the covert manipulation of gossip and media in a modern context, yet resulting in the same devastation.
Michelle Ray switches up the character traits within Mac/Beth, dislike of Duncan is a powerful connector at the start of the book. Whereas, the original Macbeth the death of Duncan is intentional the re-imagining features a violent accident. The way in which the death is dealt with however, does make you question the characters intent. Beth's actions are in direct contradiction to everything we have learned about her so far.
The integration of original lines from Shakespeare reinforce the plot and themes of the original within the re-imagining.
The symbolism with the blood is ingeniously woven into the plot mirroring the original and reinforcing the aspects of the themes woven through the original.
I've got to be honest and say that while reading I was desperately connecting the plot to the themes within the original play, while not blatantly obvious within the narrative the themes provide a deeper understanding of the original and a great way for teens to connect with the characters. For me it was the theme of manipulation, coercion and the quest for power which in this case equates to fame that really stood out within the narrative.
Michelle Ray provides a fresh take on a classic while maintaining and clarifying the themes of the original. I am a huge fan especially when it's going to help students connect with the classics.
January 1, 2016
OHMIGOSH! I don't know that I can say enough about this book. It was definitely a Between the Lines(by Tammara Webber) meets Shakespeare in an awesome tale of murder, love, and Hollywood.
Beth DeAngelo starlet of TeenTV's Dunsinane Castle is dating fellow actor from the show Garrett Mackenzie. Combi-name: MacBeth. (Adorable) Well, Duncan King, whose star is rising faster than a meteor streaking through the sky, has his sights set on dating Beth. Only Beth chose Mac. But Duncan doesn't give up and Mac hates Duncan anyway...and then, Duncan King dies.
While it wasn't a shock that Duncan dies--because the first paragraph states it which is how this review remains spoiler free--the shock really doesn't come until the event after Duncan's death unfolds. I don't think I've read anything so twisted and turning in quite a while with an outcome I surly didn't see coming.
It was a FANTASTIC, modern day twist on MacBeth!!! I think I like it more than MacBeth...as I remain a little in shock over the events of this book I couldn't put down. I LOVED IT!!!
GIVE THIS ONE, MAC/BETH, A READ. SO worth it.
Going on my ABSOLUTE FAVORITES SHELF right NOW!
Beth DeAngelo starlet of TeenTV's Dunsinane Castle is dating fellow actor from the show Garrett Mackenzie. Combi-name: MacBeth. (Adorable) Well, Duncan King, whose star is rising faster than a meteor streaking through the sky, has his sights set on dating Beth. Only Beth chose Mac. But Duncan doesn't give up and Mac hates Duncan anyway...and then, Duncan King dies.
While it wasn't a shock that Duncan dies--because the first paragraph states it which is how this review remains spoiler free--the shock really doesn't come until the event after Duncan's death unfolds. I don't think I've read anything so twisted and turning in quite a while with an outcome I surly didn't see coming.
It was a FANTASTIC, modern day twist on MacBeth!!! I think I like it more than MacBeth...as I remain a little in shock over the events of this book I couldn't put down. I LOVED IT!!!
GIVE THIS ONE, MAC/BETH, A READ. SO worth it.
Going on my ABSOLUTE FAVORITES SHELF right NOW!
March 25, 2025
Guys guys guys gather around me as I tell you a tale (or a book review but they are the same thing sooo). Now to be totally transparent and clear, I will say I have never read Macbeth *gasp*. But I have read Shakespeare and enjoy him, he is an enjoyable man therefore feel the need to defend his honour against this parody and also it kinda sucked.
Now this is obviously in the parody Shakespeare genre which we know and don't really love but I do feel the need to be clear; This was the Shakespeare genre that has nothing and everything to do with the actual play. (to be clear I just read spark notes I did not feel like buying the book but it did seem very epic in Shakespeares version and less so here so that was sad, devastating in fact).
Okay this book is "Mac/Beth" by Michelle Ray and is basically about rich, famous kids and murder if it was Shakespeary it would be a typical Rich Kid Murder Genre book. Which are usually invigorating reads as rich people are rich and a bit silly making their murders silly, posh and rich. Unfortunately these rich kids were silly and rich not posh or ridiculous so it lost some of its charm *sigh*. It was about Beth who was dating Garret Mackenzie who everyone calls Mac (why do men especially rich ones insist on being called by their last names tho tbf I wouldn't keep the name Garret as well soooooo.) Anyway murder happened so did chaos, so much happened in 247 pages I was deeply impressed, basically a lot of death.
Time for Pro's and Con's
Pro
Cons
Altogether good idea I would have loved to see a book about rich people being rich silly posh and ridiculous imitating Shakespeare it would've been fun to read, however your book did not deliever and Shakespeare and I are not angry but disappointed it had potential don't be afraid.
Now this is obviously in the parody Shakespeare genre which we know and don't really love but I do feel the need to be clear; This was the Shakespeare genre that has nothing and everything to do with the actual play. (to be clear I just read spark notes I did not feel like buying the book but it did seem very epic in Shakespeares version and less so here so that was sad, devastating in fact).
Okay this book is "Mac/Beth" by Michelle Ray and is basically about rich, famous kids and murder if it was Shakespeary it would be a typical Rich Kid Murder Genre book. Which are usually invigorating reads as rich people are rich and a bit silly making their murders silly, posh and rich. Unfortunately these rich kids were silly and rich not posh or ridiculous so it lost some of its charm *sigh*. It was about Beth who was dating Garret Mackenzie who everyone calls Mac (why do men especially rich ones insist on being called by their last names tho tbf I wouldn't keep the name Garret as well soooooo.) Anyway murder happened so did chaos, so much happened in 247 pages I was deeply impressed, basically a lot of death.
Time for Pro's and Con's
Pro
Cons
Altogether good idea I would have loved to see a book about rich people being rich silly posh and ridiculous imitating Shakespeare it would've been fun to read, however your book did not deliever and Shakespeare and I are not angry but disappointed it had potential don't be afraid.
November 16, 2022
3.5 stars
I loved all the references to Macbeth, Shakespeare, and literature but ultimately this adaptation was somewhat disappointing. One of the biggest problems is the failure to commit to having an unlikeable protagonist. As a child celebrity in Hollywood Beth barely has any agency, and nearly every other female character is more petty, ambitious, and fame-hungry than she is, but somehow she is the one who needs to learn that fame and money are bad? She is not amoral enough to be a believable Lady Macbeth, but she is blamed and shamed for vices she does not have. From the beginning of the story she wants her boyfriend to be happier and achieve his ambitions, to repair her broken friendship with Duncan, to have some breathing room from her mother and her team, and to get more acting jobs (which is reasonable, this is her career). None of those things scream love of fame and money. Yet at the end of the story she has been "humbled" and shamed by her father and childhood friend/love interest, and hopes to do some New York theatre - if they "let" her. It feels very paternalistic, and somewhat elitist (theatre vs film, classics vs blockbusters, etc.).
The money aspect doesn't even make sense TeenTV is meant to be a stand in for Disney or Nick (there is a slime award show) but those networks make a huge amount of money off of their child stars without actually paying those stars very much. While a portion of her money would go in her Coogan account, a significant amount would also be paid to her manager, agent, publicist, etc. I just didn't buy that she was some rich star. While the book acknowledged and showed how exploitative and manipulative the system, networks, and adults are in that industry, it still felt tainted by attitudes carries over from the '00's and insists on blaming and shaming the child actors portraying them as petty, depraved, degenerate, etc. Yes, unfortunately there is a "Britney Spears shaved her head" reference. This book was published in 2015. By the end of the story the child protagonists were shamed and paid the emotional price for wanting into the industry, while the adults and the Hollywood machine were shrugged off as an inevitable evil that just existed. I could be biased from having recently read Jennette McCurdy's memoir and watched Selena Gomez's documentary, but the entire Hollywood side of the story left me frustrated and it felt like blaming the victim in many ways.
This book failed as both an adaptation of Macbeth and a story set in Hollywood. Ray refused to give her protagonist agency or let her be amoral, failing to make her a believable Lady Macbeth. At the same time, she insists on punishing the protagonist for "ambition and selfishness" that she does not possess, while fully displaying the evils of Hollywood and choosing to punish and shame the child victims of that system. Some parts of the story were pretty good, there was some nice tension, and a fair amount of potential. Unfortunately, things just did not come together in a satisfying way.
I loved all the references to Macbeth, Shakespeare, and literature but ultimately this adaptation was somewhat disappointing. One of the biggest problems is the failure to commit to having an unlikeable protagonist. As a child celebrity in Hollywood Beth barely has any agency, and nearly every other female character is more petty, ambitious, and fame-hungry than she is, but somehow she is the one who needs to learn that fame and money are bad? She is not amoral enough to be a believable Lady Macbeth, but she is blamed and shamed for vices she does not have. From the beginning of the story she wants her boyfriend to be happier and achieve his ambitions, to repair her broken friendship with Duncan, to have some breathing room from her mother and her team, and to get more acting jobs (which is reasonable, this is her career). None of those things scream love of fame and money. Yet at the end of the story she has been "humbled" and shamed by her father and childhood friend/love interest, and hopes to do some New York theatre - if they "let" her. It feels very paternalistic, and somewhat elitist (theatre vs film, classics vs blockbusters, etc.).
The money aspect doesn't even make sense TeenTV is meant to be a stand in for Disney or Nick (there is a slime award show) but those networks make a huge amount of money off of their child stars without actually paying those stars very much. While a portion of her money would go in her Coogan account, a significant amount would also be paid to her manager, agent, publicist, etc. I just didn't buy that she was some rich star. While the book acknowledged and showed how exploitative and manipulative the system, networks, and adults are in that industry, it still felt tainted by attitudes carries over from the '00's and insists on blaming and shaming the child actors portraying them as petty, depraved, degenerate, etc. Yes, unfortunately there is a "Britney Spears shaved her head" reference. This book was published in 2015. By the end of the story the child protagonists were shamed and paid the emotional price for wanting into the industry, while the adults and the Hollywood machine were shrugged off as an inevitable evil that just existed. I could be biased from having recently read Jennette McCurdy's memoir and watched Selena Gomez's documentary, but the entire Hollywood side of the story left me frustrated and it felt like blaming the victim in many ways.
This book failed as both an adaptation of Macbeth and a story set in Hollywood. Ray refused to give her protagonist agency or let her be amoral, failing to make her a believable Lady Macbeth. At the same time, she insists on punishing the protagonist for "ambition and selfishness" that she does not possess, while fully displaying the evils of Hollywood and choosing to punish and shame the child victims of that system. Some parts of the story were pretty good, there was some nice tension, and a fair amount of potential. Unfortunately, things just did not come together in a satisfying way.
June 5, 2015
The great thing about Michelle Ray's modern takes on Shakespeare's plays is that they feel exactly right. They are true not only to the source material but also to the modern teen world in which they are set. In the case of "Mac/Beth," it's the world of young Hollywood where image is everything and everyone wants what someone else has -- the perfect setting for a modern "Macbeth."
Another thing I had to acknowledge while reading this book is that the best adaptations of a classic work are not slavish copies of the original works but are truly inspired by them. The core of the play -- guilt and its aftermath -- is likewise the core of this novel, and it rings entirely true, whether played out in the Scottish highlands or in the clubs and movie sets of Hollywood. And as is appropriate, there are no easy answers for this Mac/Beth pair.
I was definitely surprised at some of the turns this story took. Highly recommended for all sorts of readers, especially if you love Shakespeare.
8 out of 10 on my personal scale - only because of two things: one, I'm not a huge fan of contemporaries so they just don't resonate with me the same - so this is not a mark against the book FOR YOU if you like modern stories, and two, the "witches" were the one off note for me in the whole novel and they really annoyed me by the end of the book.
Another thing I had to acknowledge while reading this book is that the best adaptations of a classic work are not slavish copies of the original works but are truly inspired by them. The core of the play -- guilt and its aftermath -- is likewise the core of this novel, and it rings entirely true, whether played out in the Scottish highlands or in the clubs and movie sets of Hollywood. And as is appropriate, there are no easy answers for this Mac/Beth pair.
I was definitely surprised at some of the turns this story took. Highly recommended for all sorts of readers, especially if you love Shakespeare.
8 out of 10 on my personal scale - only because of two things: one, I'm not a huge fan of contemporaries so they just don't resonate with me the same - so this is not a mark against the book FOR YOU if you like modern stories, and two, the "witches" were the one off note for me in the whole novel and they really annoyed me by the end of the book.
May 19, 2015
If your AY enjoyed Falling for Hamlet -- they will love Ray's second Shakespeare retelling. LaLa land revealed!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews