Classics Illustrated #1: Great Expectations (Classics Illustrated Graphic Novels) [Abridged] [Hardcover]

Rick Geary (Adapter, Illustrator), Charles Dickens (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Classics Illustrated Graphic Novels

The first volume of the new CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED DELUXE series presents graphic novelist Michel Plessix’s lush adaptation of “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame.  The artwork is in aquarelle, with thin, precise, detailed lines. In Wind in the Willows, Plessix breathes life into Mole, Rat, and Toad (of Toad Hall) as they picnic on the riverbank, indulge in Toad's latest fad, and get lost in Wild Wood. The pacing is masterful: each panel lingers just long enough to make you appreciate the simple pleasures of life. 

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Returning to print after more than a decade, this first volume in the relaunch of the Classics Illustrated series presents a handsomely rendered adaptation of the orphaned Pip's first-person narrative of his journey from humble childhood to adulthood as an English gentleman. Though quite involving, this retelling of the Dickens classic registers as a fast forward version of the epic tale of one man's evolution and the hard lessons learned from it, but that aspect is a minor quibble shoved aside by Geary's charmingly cartoony art. Long hailed for his unique work in such diverse showcases as the New York Times, National Lampoon and his exceptional continuing series A Treasury of Victorian Murder, Geary's fleshy characterizations breathe a near-animated life into the classic tale. This pleasant graphic interpretation can serve as an introduction to Dickens for younger readers and perhaps eventually steer them to the wider world of the source material and beyond. (Apr.)
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From Booklist

Many baby boomers got their first taste of great literature from a Classics Illustrated comic. This volume in the relaunched line introduces readers to Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, the story of a young man’s search for acceptance after receiving riches from a mysterious benefactor. With a book as long as Dickens’ classic, it’s natural that the comic is text heavy, but even so, it’s astonishing how well adaptor and illustrator Geary hits the high points of the serpentine story. The art captures the drama (and don’t miss the beautiful endpapers), though for those who know the story, Miss Havisham is drawn more coarsely than one might wish. Use this as a gateway to the classic; it may also be the only chance some kids get to meet Dickens’ fascinating characters. Either way, readers will come away understanding why the story has endured. An updated profile of Geary, and a note from the editor of the original series complete the new harcover package. Grades 4-7. --Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 56 pages
• Publisher: Papercutz; Abridged edition (March 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597070971
• ISBN-13: 978-1597070973
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( D ) > Dickens, Charles
  • #60 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > Orphans & Foster Homes

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of CI's 'Great Expectations', June 12, 2010

By 

Ryan S. Mease "scott.godwin" (Chicago, IL, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classics Illustrated #1: Great Expectations (Classics Illustrated Graphic Novels) (Hardcover)

I'm not sure I'm qualified to write this review, because I read Great Expectations as a teenager and really, really hated it. I'll simply note that I really enjoyed this edition of the work (it was even better than the original book, in my opinion). CI drew on direct quotations from Dickens to create an authentic summary of the text. I look forward to future CI novels.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything old is new again, July 31, 2008

By 

Adam Herbst (NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Classics Illustrated #1: Great Expectations (Classics Illustrated Graphic Novels) (Hardcover)

This was great. I got it for my son (age 10) to read and he pretty much devoured it. We then got hold of the David Lean version - hey, that's Obi Wan Kenobi as Herbert Pocket. Then, he was interested enough to get the latest BBC version. If you don't buy this book you must have played with Miss Havesham as a kid.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An all-color graphic novel, May 8, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classics Illustrated #1: Great Expectations (Classics Illustrated Graphic Novels) (Hardcover)

This first volume of the new 'Classics Illustrated' series provides graphic novelist Rick Geary's adaptation of Dickens' classic novel, using an all-color graphic novel format to reveal politics, morals and virtues. Fans of the comic book series which took literary classics and popularized them will find this approach translates well to book form, providing something new for young readers.