Henry V: The Graphic Novel (American English, Original Text Edition) [Paperback]

John McDonald (Adapter), William Shakespeare (Author), Clive Bryant (Editor), Neill Cameron (Illustrator), Bambos (Illustrator), Jason Cardy (Illustrator), Kat Nicholson (Illustrator), Nigel Dobbyn (Illustrator), Keith Howell (Translator), Jo Wheeler (Designer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 5, 2008

Shakespeare’s rousing tale of war and peace between England and France during the reign of Henry V springs to life in this unabridged, full-color graphic adaptation. Every scene, every speech, and every battle is here, from “Once more unto the breach” to the decisive Battle of Agincourt, all in Shakespeare’s original language. The lively illustrations accurately depict the era’s costumes and settings.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Classical Comics (November 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 190633241X
• ISBN-13: 978-1906332419
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #564,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, May 4, 2009

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Henry V: The Graphic Novel (American English, Original Text Edition) (Paperback)

In this version of Classical Comic's HENRY V, adapted by John McDonald, you're dealing with the Original Text. By that I mean that you get the entire play, just as William Shakespeare wrote it. Classical Comics has also published two other versions: Plain Text, which takes the original script and converts it into modern English, and Quick Text, which reduces the dialogue into as few words as possible (as many graphic novels do).

Thanks to the wonderful artwork of many talented illustrators (Neill Cameron for pencils, Bambos for Inks, Jason Cardy & Kat Nicholson for Coloring, and Nigel Dobbyn for Lettering), the result is a colorful, heavy-duty, true-to-the-script version of one of Shakespeare's most recognized plays.

This is the perfect book to introduce reluctant teen readers to Shakespeare. Whether they read it for fun or for a class, they're getting the original play, act by act, and they get it in a convenient, reader-friendly way. In this day of graphic novels, it's important to remember the classics, and HENRY V doesn't disappoint.

The additional information at the end of the story, including a short biography of William Shakespeare and one of Henry V, a detailed description of the Battle of Agincourt, and even a guide to the creation of the graphic novel's pages, only add to the value.

If you're looking for a well-made and instructional graphic novel based on HENRY V, look no further than this edition.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of Original Tex Version, June 2, 2011

By 

S. Young - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Henry V: The Graphic Novel (American English, Original Text Edition) (Paperback)

I loved seeing this in action, and it was thrilling to see the famous speeches. Having said that, it is a graphic novel, so I wish I had gone for the plain or shortened version. Still, it was excellent!

5.0 out of 5 stars Once More Unto the Breach..., December 18, 2010

By 

D. S. Thurlow (Alaska) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Henry V: The Graphic Novel (American English, Original Text Edition) (Paperback)

Classical Comics has published a selection of Shakespear's plays as graphic novels, of which this is the drama of "Henry V". The graphic novels come in three versions per title: original text, modernized text, and a quick text.

"Henry V" dramatizes the reign of the young English King, who undertakes to restore his country's dominions in France. The play follows Henry and his army through the seige of Harfleur and into France, to the dramatic showdown with a much larger French Army at Agincourt. The play captures the intrigue of the English and French royal courts, the drama of battle including Henry's famous "band of brothers" speech, Henry's wooing of a French prncess, and the earthy humor of his English soldiers. It is a long play, but undoubtedly one of Shakespeare's best.

The graphic novel format is a great way to introduce reluctant modern students to classics such as Shakespeare's plays, in a way likely to hold their attention. This original text version contains the entire play. The artwork is more than adequate, and there are some nice contextual notes at the end.