Manga Classics: Romeo and Juliet by Stacy King

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm a fan of the Manga Classics that's why I'm already aware that the publisher, Udon Entertainment, always use the original text from the book they were adapting. I know Romeo and Juliet but I still haven't read the book either watch any stage play or movie adaptation, hence, I'm eager to check out this manga adaptation.

This is the first time that I've rated a Manga Classics low because of it's not that easy to comprehend what the characters are saying because they are in Early Modern English. Just like what I've mentioned, I'm fully aware that the publisher never makes any alterations to the dialogues because they use the original format. I could understand some of the conversations in the story however, I fail to grasp several parts. Thankfully, I still got to follow the story through the illustrations.

If there would be any future plans of Udon Entertainment to adapt other works of William Shakespeare, hopefully, they will try to make the dialogues easy to understand because I'm positive that it will be more marketable even to middle-graders.

Manga Classics: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Crystal Chan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I was in grade school, I used to watch the anime TV series of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Hence, when I saw this chance for a reading copy of the classic tale, I immediately grabbed the chance to download it.
Reading this brings back memory during the time I was enjoying watching the said show. I wasn't able to catch all the episodes of that anime series, but through the perusal of this adaptation, I was able to know the rest of Huck's adventures.
What I like about these manga adaptations is that they put the original text of the story of these classic stories. Reading this graphic novel is like perusing the original book because the content is exactly the same. Another great factor is that there are illustrations that will help readers to imagine and understand quickly the story.

Manga Classics: The Count of Monte Cristo by Stacy King

MY RATING: 5 of 5 stars

This is the nth time that I've read a Manga Classics from that were published by Udon Entertainment. I still haven't the classic book of The Count of Mount Cristo and I didn't have the slightest idea about the story.

The original novel of Alexandre Dumas is a thousand-page book, hence it will take several days or weeks before I could finish reading it. However, through this adaptation, I was able to finish reading this classic story in just several hours. It's a great alternative for someone like me who wants to read this classic but don't have much time to spare to read the novel.

The tale of Edmond Dantes' and the revenge he did for the three people who deceived him will set readers to anticipate what will happen in the end. This story reminds everyone not to be naive and trustworthy just like Dantes at the beginning of the story. If only he was observant of the people around him, he would not be imprisoned because of the false accusation that Danglars and Fernand conspired.

The Count of Monte Cristo is undoubtedly one of the best classic stories I've read so far. And these manga classics encourage not only reading, but also on promoting and appreciating the greatest classic novels.

Manga Classics: The Stories of Edgar Allen Poe by Stacy King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The only story of Edgar Allan Poe that I've read was "The Cask of Amontillado," which was a required must-read by our high school teacher over a decade ago. It was both bizarre and gruesome, and reading it again in this graphic novel brought up how I was really horrified back then.


Aside from the aforementioned story, there are other four tales in this book: ? The Tell-Tale Heart; The Raven; The Masque of the Red Death; and The Fall of the House of Usher. This manga adaptation of some of the well-known stories of Poe is, I believe, a good way to make any readers to enjoy them more. I highly recommend this graphic novel and other manga classics published by Udon Entertainment to students — so they can vividly imagine and better understand these classic tales.

Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice

SYNOPSIS:

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.

 

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ I confess that I still haven't read the novel Pride and Prejudice, but I've already watched the movie version of it. Just like the other classic books, Pride and Prejudice is quite long to read and I must devote a lot of time to be able to finish it. But thanks to this graphic novel because I felt like that I was able to read the novel through this. Thank you Udon Entertainment for making it possible to published a graphic novel of this classic.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon:

Manga Classics: Les Misérables

SYNOPSIS:

Adapted for stage and screen, loved by millions, Victor Hugo's classic novel of love and tragedy set in 19th century France is reborn in this fantastic new manga edition!

Gorgeous and expressive art brigns to life the unforgettable stories of Jean Valjean, Inspector Javert, and the tragic Fantine in this epic adaptation of Les Misérables!

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ This is one of the best classic stories I've read so far. and thanks to this graphic novel that I was able to read the entire story of Les Miserables. I watched the movie, and have read the story; and now, I'm looking forward to be able to see in person the musical in the future. I may also add that while reading the part of Eponine's unrequited love, I can't help myself from singing On My Own – my favorite song in the musical – especially on the part where she always see Cosette and Marius together. Just like me, I think a lot of readers would be able to sympathized with her because once or twice in their life, they have experienced Eponine's predicament.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon:

Manga Classics: Great Expectations

SYNOPSIS:

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.

 

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ Whenever I visit a bookstore, I always check the classics book corner and the story of Great Expectations always catch my eye. I want to purchase a copy but what's holding me is that aside that it's thick – the size of the font is quite small – which made it hard to read. Thanks to this graphic novel, I've finally read the beautiful and poignant story of this classic.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon:

Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility

SYNOPSIS:

Impulsive Marianne Dashwood and cautious Elinor are as different as two sisters could be, yet both are shattered by their father's sudden Death. Elinor's attachment to the reserved Edward Ferrars is torn asunder by family opposition and his own dark secret, while Marianne's brilliant romance with the dashing John Willoughby comes to a tumultuous end in a devastating public betrayal. Can the two sisters overcome these trials to find true, lasting happiness?

Jane Austen's beloved first novel, filled with romance, redemption and social critique, is brought to life for a modern audience in this gorgeous manga-style adaptation!

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ I'm giving this 5 stars not because of the story; but because of how the illustrations done by Po Tse, and on how good Stacy King was able to squeezed into 300 pages the entire tale of this classic story. The story of Sense & Sensibility is a typical romance story, which we could still read on some pocketbook novels nowadays. If I could the story alone, I would only give it 4 stars. I neither like it nor hate it; but I admit that I like some characters in the story especially Elinor and Colonel Brandon. I was even rooting for them but in the end, Austen still paired Colonel Brandon with Marianne.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon:

Manga Classics: Scarlet Letter

SYNOPSIS:

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.

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ How odd that they keep on mentioning the Man in Black and how peculiar Pearl's personality is; not to mention that Chillingworth is really creepy. I still haven't read the novel of Scarlet Letter, and thanks to this graphic novel, I became aware that there's a sect or religion of Puritan that practices purity and simplicity. I gave this 5 stars because while reading the story - particularly the characterization - I was able to guess that there is some kind of magic or witchcraft going on; and I even suspect that Illuminati or the New World Order is involved. Moreover, the bittersweet conclusion to the love story of Arthur and Hester is a little heart-wrenching. Lastly, it also shows us some moral lessons such as no one's perfect, being honest, practice empathy, and always be forgiving.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon:

Manga Classics: Jungle Book

SYNOPSIS:

Heavily influenced by his childhood in British-ruled India, Rudyard Kipling created some of the most well-read children s stories in Western Culture. Book One of The Jungle Book(s) includes Mowgli s Brothers, the story of Mowgli, the abandoned man-cub who was raised by animals in the Indian jungle, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi the heroic mongoose, and Toomai of the Elephants, the tale of a young elephant-handler, and in The White Seal, we meet Kotick, a rare white-furred northern fur seal as he searches for a home where his family will not be hunted by humans. Originally published as a series of short stories for magazines in the late 1800s, the Nobel Prize-winning Rudyard Kipling would eventually publish the classic The Jungle Book in 1894."

 

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ Thank you to the effort of those who are behind the publication of this graphic novel of The Jungle Book because through this, I've finally got to read this awesome classic book. Before, I thought that the story of The Jungle Book is only about the boy who grew up in the jungle; instead, it is a compilation of short stories. Aside from the first story, which is the well-known tale of the jungle boy, Mowgli, there are several stories that I like in this book: the story of mongoose Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, and The White Seal.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon:

Manga Classics: Jane Eyre

SYNOPSIS:

As an orphaned child, Jane Eyre is first cruelly abused by her aunt, then cast out and sent to a charity school. Though she meets with further abuse, she receives an education, and eventually takes a job as a governess at the estate of Edward Rochester. Jane and Rochester begin to bond, but his dark moods trouble her. When Jane uncovers the terrible secret Rochester has been hiding, she flees and finds temporary refuge at the home of St. John Rivers.

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ Two years ago, I was able to read the unabridged story of Jane Eyre. I fell in love with the story right away and I've finished reading it within a week without skipping any parts or pages; I even consider it number one on my favorite classic books. I also got to watched several movie adaptations of this novel: from the latest 2011 version, 1983 and yes — even the 1973 version. That shows how much I admire this classic. When I saw that there's a graphic novel published, I didn't waste any time to check out if they made a good adaptation of this well-loved novel. Thumbs up for all those who are behind the publication because everything about this is magnificent. I would definitely recommend this to my friends or acquaintances, especially those who still haven't read the book, to check out this graphic novel; so they will be also included to the the millions who got enchanted with the story.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon:

Manga Classics: Emma

SYNOPSIS:

Just in time for the 200th Anniversary, Manga Classics: Emma brings Jane Austen's classic tale of youthful folly and romantic exuberance to a modern audience with this beautiful, new manga adaptation. The impulsive match-making of Emma Woodhouse delivers both humor and heartache through the gorgeous artwork of manga-ka Po Tse (Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice). - 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.

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ I'm grateful that the publisher has given me an opportunity to download and read these amazing adaptations to manga of some of the classics. I admit that I still haven't read my copy of the novel of this particular classic book; so this manga version is a big help because I was able to read on how amazing this story is. Reading the novel version would take me at least a week or more to be able to finish because they are really long. But this manga adaptation/graphic novel really made it easier for those who want to read it because we're able to read it for several days only.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon: