No Fear Shakespeare Graphic Novels is a series based on the translated texts of the plays found in No Fear Shakespeare. The original No Fear series made Shakespeare’s plays much easier to read, but these dynamic visual adaptations are impossible to put down. Each of the titles is illustrated in its own unique style, but all are distinctively offbeat, slightly funky, and appealing to teen readers. Each book will feature:
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With text taken from the No Fear Shakespeare series, which modernized Shakespeare’s original language, this entry in the No Fear Shakespeare Graphic Novels line makes the Bard even more accessible. The language has been further simplified, but not dumbed down, and the story stays true to the arc of the play, with the monologues and interiors nearly intact. Babra’s artwork, though far from flashy, is no mere window dressing, its clear, black-and-white scenes often shifting into a stark, expressionistic mode that heightens the drama. Along with a nicely digestible version of the play, this will give readers a feel for Shakespeare’s language and wordplay (many of the famous lines and naughty double entendres have been preserved). With all that going for it, this admirable effort is likely to succeed in the classroom, as well as appeal to those already drawn to Shakespeare. As far as graphic novel readers are concerned, however, sticking so close to the original may present a harder pill to swallow. Grades 9-12. --Ian Chipman
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I teach Hamlet. As anyone who teaches Shakespeare to lower ability readers knows, getting students to read Shakespeare for homework is like pulling your own teeth. Well, I have found that if I copy certain "big" scenes out of this novel and assign it for homework. The kids read it and are ready to discuss the next day.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By C. Ruggia
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed this comic! I am familiar with much of the artist's work, and this piece is both his most ambitious and most successful to date.
I'm not a Shakespeare fanatic though I do enjoy his work both on paper and in performance, and I found the adaptation visually striking and had no complaints about the edits to the text. In fact, I thought Mr. Babra did an excellent job of keeping the story moving while maintaining a sense of the imagery and flow of the original.
If you love independent comics, I recommend this highly.
If you are a Hamlet purist, I recommend reading the play.
I'm not a Shakespeare fanatic though I do enjoy his work both on paper and in performance, and I found the adaptation visually striking and had no complaints about the edits to the text. In fact, I thought Mr. Babra did an excellent job of keeping the story moving while maintaining a sense of the imagery and flow of the original.
If you love independent comics, I recommend this highly.
If you are a Hamlet purist, I recommend reading the play.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By L. Walton
Format:Paperback
Neil Babra's done an outstanding job with this one. His character designs, graytones, page layouts are all superb. The characters' "acting" is strong, the pacing works well, and (most impressively) the script is a hybrid of Shakespeare's original and SparkNotes' dumbed-down "translation," capturing the best features of both (and leaving Shakespeare's best lines undamaged). Note also the fantastic frontispieces drawn by Babra for each act - each one a masterpiece I'd be proud to hang in my house. Hats off to Babra for taking a project that could easily have been phoned in (SparkNotes? Seriously?) and knocking it out of the park. This is a fine graphic novel.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant, beautiful translation
There are 3 huge benefits to this version. First, the language is a translation into modern English, so it is still beautiful but understandable!. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Steven
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific for students with learning differences
I bought four copies for my students in who receive help in the learning resource room at our private high school. Read more
Published 4 months ago by MaryBeth in Michigan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome!
Exactly what I was looking for! Really great graphic novel, especially if you like Hamlet, but even if you don't and just need a fun way to Sparknote it, this is a great choice.
Published 5 months ago by Beverly
3.0 out of 5 stars
Amazon will probably send the wrong book
Just buy this from Books-a-Million to make sure you get the graphic novel. Amazon's used book partner sent me a copy of Shakespeare's novel, NOT the graphic novel. Read more
Published on March 10, 2011 by fffuuu
5.0 out of 5 stars
good stuff and fast shipping
this seller is great! turst me, the item is right. though not in perfect condition. but it is still pretty good.
Published on August 29, 2010 by Z-BO
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent adaptation to comics (and pretty good adaptation to regular...
Babra has done some excellent work here. While I think transposing Shakespeare's language to our run o' the mill idioms loses a lot, it does work. Read more
Published on January 13, 2010 by S. Hanson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great introduction to Hamlet
Sometimes it seems like people forget that Shakespeare's plays were not written to be read, but to be performed on stage. Read more
Published on August 14, 2009 by JessA
1.0 out of 5 stars
Emo Hamlet? Or just dumbed down Shakeapeare?
I've read the non-comic versions of "No Fear Shakespeare" and found them quite useless. You'd be better off reading Cliff's Notes because once the language is taken out there's no... Read more
Published on April 24, 2008 by S.D.
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