Pride and Prejudice (Marvel Illustrated) [Hardcover]

Nancy Butler (Adapter), Jane Austen (Author), Hugo Petrus (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 26, 2009

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife... Tailored from the adored Jane Austen classic, Marvel Comics is proud to present Pride & Prejudice! Two-time Rita Award-Winner Nancy Butler and fan-favorite Hugo Petras faithfully adapt the whimsical tale of Lizzy Bennet and her loveable-if-eccentric family, as they navigate through tricky British social circles. Will Lizzy's father manage to marry off her five daughters, despite his wife's incessant nagging? And will Lizzy's beautiful sister Jane marry the handsome, wealthy Mr. Bingley, or will his brooding friend Mr. Darcy stand between their happiness? Collects Pride & Prejudice #1-5.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Marvel Books (October 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078513915X
• ISBN-13: 978-0785139157
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.4 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,466 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captures the essence of the original, November 11, 2009

By 

M&M (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pride and Prejudice (Marvel Illustrated) (Hardcover)

I'm an big Austen fan and so I ordered this graphic novel version of Pride and Prejudice just to see what they'd done with the story. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the result. The author did a good job of abridging the story down enough that it would fit the format of a graphic novel but not so much that the essence of the story was in any way changed. I noticed that most of the dialogue was directly from the original text, although some was created here and there to move the story forward.

The illustrations of the characters and the locations seem like original interpretations to me -- in other words, they're not just illustrations of the various actors and actresses who've appeared in the two recent movie versions of the story. They look like 19th century people for the most part although it's definitely drawn in the rather dramatic style of most graphic novels I've seen. In some cases, the women especially looked a little older and a little harder than I thought they should.

Some people might be appalled to think that literary classics like Pride and Prejudice have been made into graphic novels, but I would disagree. Although Butler's retelling in no way replaces the original, I do think it adds an interesting interpretation. After all, screen writers have created several adaptations of the novel, and this one actually stays closer to the original than the screenplay for the 2005 movie (starring Kiera Knightly). My hope would be that someone who might not otherwise read the original might be inspired to do so after enjoying this version.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Translating a Classic..., November 19, 2009

By 

D. S. Thurlow (Alaska) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pride and Prejudice (Marvel Illustrated) (Hardcover)

When a much-loved novel such as "Pride and Prejudice" is translated into another, more visual medium, the devoted Jane Austen fan cannot help but be nervous at the potential for mixed results. The storyline, with its superb dialogue, is apt to be pruned and compressed, while readers may be reluctant to accept another's visualization of their favorite characters.

This reviewer thinks Marvel Comic's adaption of "P&P" can fairly be called a success. Writer Nancy Butler and artist Hugo Petrus capture the essentials of Miss Jane Austen's classic romance in graphic novel format. Inevitably, the storyline has been compressed, and the dialogue was been slightly modernized, but fans should have no problem recognizing the story of the Bennets, the Bingleys, and Mr. Darcy. The best of the dialogue has been preserved while those readers familar with the 1995 BBC TV presentation or the 2005 movie version will recognize a somewhat similar visual presentation.

"Pride & Prejudice" the graphic novel is very highly recommended to those Jane Austen fans looking for a way to introduce their digital-age children or grandchildren to a classic romance novel in a form that is apt to hold their attention, and perhaps motivate them to read the original.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Austen lover SOOOOO happy!, January 7, 2010

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C. Tant "Tantrumcat" (Georgia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pride and Prejudice (Marvel Illustrated) (Hardcover)

I absolutely love this book! As a dedicated reader of all things Austen, I purchased this book as part of my collection. Not sure what to expect, I waited...and was thrilled what I saw! This is beautifully illustrated and the writing...ah, I can't say enough. Thank you for the offering, I've even purchased on for a friend that also shares my love for Austen and reading.