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mehsi's review
3.0
Bit boring (text could have been shortened at times it just felt too much for the format it is) but nice manga-style art!
ihavenouseforit's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
caroline_2605's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
thebooknerdscorner's review
5.0
Shakespeare's classic tale of star-crossed lovers brought to life as a manga!
I'm going to start by saying that I am a huge fan of Shakespeare and manga, so this was super fun for me to read. Despite my long lived thought that "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet" is highly unrealistic and that both Juliet and Romeo are idiots, I find myself coming to love the classic tale even more with each version of it I have experienced. This was also the first time that I have ever read a modern English version of the play, so I picked up on several jokes and messages that I had never noticed before.
Reading this manga, I could tell how much work the team that worked on this put into it. Shakespeare's metaphors were brought to life with creative imagery, Romeo's daydreams were fleshed out in a drawn art form, and it was made abundantly clear how young Juliet is. I think that the art added so much to this story, allowing me to find deeper meaning in Shakespeare's figurative language. It also made Romeo's overdramatic side much more vivid and it was hilarious to see his imagination. The facial expressions are genuinely quite unhinged in manga, which I adore. The nurse, Friar Laurence, Romeo, and Mercutio have some especially over-the-top expressions, and I found them so endearing.
Overall, I enjoyed seeing the classic tale of "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet" in a whole new way. It was super fun to relive this story in a completely new format that kept to the authenticity of the original work. I didn't think I was going to enjoy it as much as I did, but every panel kept me entirely engaged and it often felt like I was reading the story for the first time; it felt so fresh! If one loves manga and Shakespeare like me, I feel that Manga Classics are a dream come true. It didn't disappoint me, and I don't even love the original play all that much. It's a fun way to spend your afternoon if you are interested!
I'm going to start by saying that I am a huge fan of Shakespeare and manga, so this was super fun for me to read. Despite my long lived thought that "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet" is highly unrealistic and that both Juliet and Romeo are idiots, I find myself coming to love the classic tale even more with each version of it I have experienced. This was also the first time that I have ever read a modern English version of the play, so I picked up on several jokes and messages that I had never noticed before.
Reading this manga, I could tell how much work the team that worked on this put into it. Shakespeare's metaphors were brought to life with creative imagery, Romeo's daydreams were fleshed out in a drawn art form, and it was made abundantly clear how young Juliet is. I think that the art added so much to this story, allowing me to find deeper meaning in Shakespeare's figurative language. It also made Romeo's overdramatic side much more vivid and it was hilarious to see his imagination. The facial expressions are genuinely quite unhinged in manga, which I adore. The nurse, Friar Laurence, Romeo, and Mercutio have some especially over-the-top expressions, and I found them so endearing.
Overall, I enjoyed seeing the classic tale of "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet" in a whole new way. It was super fun to relive this story in a completely new format that kept to the authenticity of the original work. I didn't think I was going to enjoy it as much as I did, but every panel kept me entirely engaged and it often felt like I was reading the story for the first time; it felt so fresh! If one loves manga and Shakespeare like me, I feel that Manga Classics are a dream come true. It didn't disappoint me, and I don't even love the original play all that much. It's a fun way to spend your afternoon if you are interested!
kailey_luminouslibro's review
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This manga adaptation of Williams Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is the perfect way to introduce Shakespeare to readers who might feel intimidated by the original play. The text is modernized, but is still written in iambic pentameter, and still has the original rhymes of the play. The entire play is intact, and all the beauty of Shakespeare's words comes through wonderfully in this modern adaptation.
I am so impressed with the way the text was modernized, and with the integrity and thoughtfulness that went into editing it. It really does feel like something that Shakespeare would have written if he had been alive today. There is no jarring modern slang to ruin the beauty of the lines. It feels like someone just translated the words from another language, and made it easy to understand for modern readers, but without losing any of the flavor and emotion of the original text.
The beautiful artwork brings the play to life! Every page is just so gorgeous! The art is delicate and attractive. I love the designs for each character. Romeo is handsome and strong, and Juliet is sweet and graceful. Mercutio is wild and haughty. Count Paris is noble and elegant. Their clothing, their facial expressions, their hair and eyes and body language; it all comes together to paint the perfect picture of these characters. They really come to life!
I have read and reread the original play of Romeo and Juliet at least twenty times, and it was such a delight to revisit this favorite story in manga form!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.