Manga Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet (Paperback)

~ William Shakespeare (Author), (Author), Sonia Leong (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Adapting Shakespeare's plays to a graphic-novel format isn't easy, as the language needs a particularly firm scaffolding of expression and gesture. As part of the new Manga Shakespeare series, this adaptation, set in modern-day Tokyo, does a competent job of combining manga-style art and abridged dialogue to immerse the reader in the world of the play. Although the richness of the language may be lost, the script keeps the spirit of the story intact, hitting all the major speeches. The art is occasionally muddied by too-similar gray-scale patterns, but the layout and characters are energetic and iconic. By situating the play in modern Tokyo among rival yakuza, or organized-crime families, Appignanesi and Leong present manga fans with a world they will recognize. Robin Brenner
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description

Now presenting Manga Shakespeare—the Bard’s greatest plays in an accessible, lively format for a new generation of readers

<Romeo and Juliet is ideally suited for the manga format—it has teenage heroes, scheming and villainous adults, heartbreaking tragedy, and the ultimate romantic plot about star-cross’d lovers. Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet, fall deeply in love—and they refuse to let their parents’ age-old feud get in their way. When Romeo is banished from their town, a series of mistakes and misunderstandings, along with their families’ mutual hatred, finally manages to end their love. An exciting introduction to the Bard for reluctant readers and manga fans alike.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810993252
• ISBN-13: 978-0810993259
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #153,513 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Adaptation and Tool of Introduction, December 27, 2007

By	tvtv3 "tvtv3" (Sorento, IL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

When I was in high school and first starting out in college, I used to be completely against the idea of adapting classical works into more popular formats, such as comic books or illustrated and abridged children's stories. I am often a completist and want to read and know the entire story, not an abridged or shortened version. However, I think experience has tempered me with some wisdom and I see how useful such adaptations can be and sometimes actually get excited about them.

Therefore, I was quite excited when a friend introduced me to this manga version of ROMEO AND JULIET. The story uses the manga art form to tell the story of Romeo and Juliet. The story is moved from medieval Italy to modern day Tokyo. The characters speak in the original text of the play, but it has been abridged (I'd say about 70% of the dialogue remains).

I'm not all that familiar with the manga format, but I know that manga is now huge in the U.S., especially with the pre-teen set, and is growing in popularity. As much as I myself like to read stories in their complete unabridged form, I know that many pre-teens and teenagers don't. I love Shakespeare's language, but I'd rather young people become familiar with the story and key lines that being forced to read the entire book. The MANGA SHAKESPEARE: ROMEO AND JULIET is a great way to introduce people to the play and hopefully get them excited to read it in its entirety in the future. Recommended for those who have an interest in manga and might be interested in reading and learning about the classics.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read for reluctant readers, October 30, 2007

By	Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by Erin Keith (age 17) for Reader Views Kids(10/07)

In this Manga version of one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, the characters are held to be very true. The setting of the story is present-time Tokyo, versus the past setting of the original. Readers who have actually read the play may enjoy this Manga because it holds very true to the original story, whereas some series like to "update" and totally change from the original roots. This story begins with a brief description of the characters, showing pictures so readers will know who's who in the story, and then they launch into a swordfight, which is uncommon in Tokyo, but again, this story does hold true to the original. The storyline is very captivating and intriguing. The storyline itself is obviously not the same as the tragedy itself by Shakespeare, but it does show the love-hate relationship between the Capulets and the Montagues. This story's ending is just as sad as the story before it.

This story is a good, fairly quick read that will keep readers hanging on to the ending of one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies and love stories. This book is recommended for ages 13 and up. "Romeo and Juliet: Manga Shakespeare" is a good read for reluctant readers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I wanted to dislike it but well... my second grader loves it., January 7, 2008

By	B. Cole (Walla Walla, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was a bit odd. I got this for my second grader. He is picky about what he will bother to read, Star Wars, Capitan Underpants and comics in many forms. We negotiated this one as he has seen the play. He read it through in several hours, happily. Now he keeps asking when more are coming out.
The older sister, 5th grade, read 2/3 of the play with me this summer. She read it, enjoyed it, noted that it was missing some good parts.
So I read it through, against my better judgment. The pictures are fine I dislike the cuts. Halfway through I realize that I am really into it and the story, as portrayed in manga, works. Did I pick up new insights? Not any deep ones, but it was better than some productions. I found it a reasonable and moving presentation.
I'll buy more of these for the kids.
This would be useful for the kids who can not fathom reading Shakespeare. If a student was slipped a copy a year before there first school reading it might make a huge difference.