Book Review: Manga Classics: Great Expectations

Manga Classics: Great Expectations by Stacy King

Publishing Date: May 19, 2015
Publisher: Udon Entertainment
Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Great Expectations has it all: romance, mystery, comedy, and unforgettable characters woven through a gripping rags-to-riches tale. Naive Pip, creepy Miss Haversham, beautifully cold Estella, terrifying Abel Magwitch, and the rest of Dicken’s fantastic cast are perfectly envisioned in this new adaptation in this 300-plus page volume featuring artwork by artist Nokman Poon. Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

I rated it 4/5 "really liked it"

I couldn't clearly wrap my head around why the title is the title. I blame it on my lack of comprehension. Classic works just have too deep a meaning most of the time.

I would've ranted with the way the story ended if I hadn't done further research. Turns out the end is just as vague and letting the readers come up with their own conclusion. It broke my heart when Biggy married Joe but they both deserve to be happy. I was also happy when Estella finally became a human person with feelings and no longer a cold, heartless living robot.

Gave it four stars because I wasn't really all over it. Maybe I'm an Austen fan rather than a Charles since I'm a die hard romance fan.

Once again these Manga Classic adaptations are truly helpful.

Book Review: Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter

Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter by Stacy King

Publishing Date: March 31, 2015
Publisher: UDON Entertainment
Synopsis from Goodreads: 

A powerful tale of forbidden love, shame, and revenge comes to life in Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter. Faithfully adapted by Crystal Chan from the original novel, this new edition features stunning artwork by SunNeko Lee (Manga Classics: Les Miserables) which will give old and new readers alike a fresh insight into the Nathaniel Hawthorne's tragic saga of Puritan America. Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

I rated it 2/5 "it was okay"

I didn't fully understand the story, given that I haven't read the original novel so I turned to Google for some insight. It was then that I realized that what I understood with the manga is all there really is. More importantly, it is the type of story where the reader has to give his own meaning to the text.

Reading the 'Metaphors' page in the manga, it helped me understand even more. I thought this was a story without magic but I was wrong. It's about witchcraft and weird powers, especially Pearl who was said to be elf-like, a strange child of some sort.

This book was quick to read, it's more on pictures rather than conversations and narrations. So I can tell that the actual novel had more about descriptions of the surroundings and locations.

Once again, very helpful to students and to me who is too lazy to read the full novel.

Book Review: Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice (Graphic Novel)

Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice by Stacy King

Publishing Date: September 17, 2014
Publisher: UDON Entertainment
Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Beloved by millions the world over, Pride & Prejudice is delightfully transformed in this bold, new manga adaptation. All of the joy, heartache, and romance of Jane Austen's original, perfectly illuminated by the sumptuous art of manga-ka Po Tse, and faithfully adapted by Stacy E. King.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

I rated it 5/5 "it was amazing"

Thank You Udon Entertainment for the copy via NetGalley and for auto approving me on the said site. I no longer need to request for your mangas if ever I wish to read them. Yaaay!

First of all this is my first time to read Pride and Prejudice. I only ever saw the adaptation film of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies which had the major events covered and it helped a bit as I was reading this manga. Beyond that film I have no other idea about this popular novel by Jane Austen.

I find that this manga was very helpful. Whenever I want to read a classic I would turn to graphic novels now to spare myself the time of reading the full length novel. Not a lot of people read the classics anymore and I'd be fine by knowing enough rather than nothing at all.

The drawings on this manga were very wonderful, aristic, the women are beautiful, the men are handsome! I wish men were often drawn with Mr. Darcy's hair in this manga. His hair is fabulous!

For students who are tasked to write an essay on classics (who aren't really fond of reading lots of words) I suggest you pick up Mangas or Graphic Novels because they are quite helpful and easier to read. It takes a lot less time too!

Book Review: Scarlet Rose #1: "I Knew I'd Meet You" (Graphic Novel)

Scarlet Rose #1: "I Knew I'd Meet You" by Patricia Lyfoung

Publishing Date: November 28, 2017
Publisher: Charmz
Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Maud, a dreamy young woman, who loves justice, lives in France in the 18th century. The incomprehensible murder of his father forced him to rejoin Paris where his grandfather, a noble whose existence she was unaware, saw. It crosses the road of the Fox, a brigand of the highways that she admires. But she still does not know anything about the secret that her father bequeathed to her and that a mysterious individual covets. 

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

I rated it 5/5 "it was amazing"

Thank you Papercutz for the copy via NetGalley.

This Graphic Novel is fun, easy to read, and has a good sense of humor.

It starts with the murder of Maud's father, a past revealed to her and thus she travels to live in Paris. Her huge crush on a bandit calling himself "The Fox" has lead her to a conclusion of becoming a bandit herself - Scarlet Rose.

Guilhem is quite cute but I can't really tell of his age based on the drawings. Their facial expressions are right and I love how they change to impossible human faces to exaggerate an emotion.

I believe the english translations have just begun and I can't wait to read the next installment. This is my first Graphic Novel series so I'm not very familiar with the slang. Is it called an 'installment', an 'issue' perhaps?