noorulain23's review

5.0

Just beautiful and amazing, this is why i love visual representation gives the classic story a new light.
So to start of, I've never read a classic, cause I am Pakistani and our schools don't focus on these things but I still have come to love English and love reading English novels and such and the only Manga I've read is Orange by Takano Ichigo(absolutely love it you should go read it).
But I know for sure I like simple art in Manga hence why I love Orange and now this. Absolutely a wonderful job has been done on the Manga Classic, the hard work that has gone into it. Love it enough that I can say that this is perfect for non-manga readers and first time manga readers. Such an amazing way to give a new light to the classics. I can't wait to read the rest of the Manga Classics. I now want to read the actual classic and get more in depth of this beautiful story but also to compare and see that is this enough to know and understand what Charlotte Bronte has written in the original Jane Eyre.
I also loved how they explained a few terms that are used in the book that i know I wouldn't have understood otherwise. So an overall excellent Manga.
jenny_librarian's profile picture

jenny_librarian's review

3.0

I was given an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3 ⭐️

My problem from this book does not come from the manga adaptation, but from the novel it is adapted from. I was never a big fan of Jane Eyre. I much preferred a retelling I read a few years ago, set in present time. Which is why I will settle on reviewing more the adaptation rather than the story.

The drawings are beautiful. I love this collection of classics because the artist always reconcile western fashion with the typical characters look in mangas. They have big, bright expressive eyes and they sometimes look a bit cartoony, but not too much so that it derives into caricature.

I feel this rendition portrayed the characters as their true selves rather than what they want you to see in them from the novel. For example, Jane's aunt looks cold-hearted, and Bertha Mason looks as "mad" (to use the word of the story) as she is - devilish actually.

I love that artist SunNeko Lee included a bit of story adaptator Crystal S. Chan in her drawings. Chan and her husband apparently have as much of a height difference as Jane and Mr. Rochester. And their hair is also the same.

As I did with Pride & Prejudice, I enjoyed this version so much that I doubt I'll pick up (again) the original novel anytime soon. I feel this is the perfect medium for people who are not certain they might enjoy the original work.

I do hope more novels are adapted in the Manga Classics collection.

karentje's review

5.0

Stunning version of Jane Eyre!! I absolutely loved it!

Jane Eyre is a very passionate character and it was great to see her almost explode from the pages in this brilliant and very faithful adaptation of a well-beloved classic novel. Manga is the perfect medium to capture the near violence of her emotions at times, the fire at the core of this outwardly calm, seemingly unremarkable young woman.

Jane's sudden outbursts, both as a young girl, and later when standing up for herself to Mr. Rochester, make for great scenes! Loved how these moments were depicted!
My absolute favorite scene was the one where Mr. Rochester declares his feelings for Jane for the first time, she needs some convincing, and their first kiss. Swoon!

I was completely swept away by the amazing artwork and I loved the attention to detail brought to both the characters and the scenery. The kitchen scene where everyone is busy at work, surrounded by pots & pans, to prepare for Mr. Rochester's return is a great example, as is the appearance of all his guests. Everyone has their own look, with different hairstyles and outfits.

I loved the way Jane Eyre's costume and hairdo reflect her lowly status as a poor (repressed) orphaned governess, with her hair drawn back into a simple bun and her nigh-necked, modest gown. She's always dressed the same, except for her wedding day, and afterwards when she comes into her inheritance. It's great to see her dressed in a more individualistic, more cheerful style once she's got means of her own and feels happy with her new-found cousins.
Mr. Rochester's appearance is also spot on and I was pleased to see how the artist alters his looks at the end, making him appear a bit rougher and less put together, to reflect the changes in his mental state.

At the very end, we see a slightly more mature Jane, happy with her little son and the love of her life. They are both dressed very simply, no visible trappings of wealth, which I think is also a lovely way of showing that their happiness stems from their being together and doesn't depend on monetary riches.


mreadsbooksnfics's review

4.0

This has to be one of my favorite books of all time. I loved it in high school and then when I had to read it again in college. There is just something about Jane Eyre which always makes me want to live in the story and get lost in the words over and over.

This manga adaptation was very close to the story so I am happy. The only thing is both Jane and Rochester are much prettier than they should be. Jane is often said to be plain and Rochester isn’t known to be handsome. So this manga takes away a crucial part of the story to me. It isn’t I didn’t adore the story, but I just was like... why is Jane so pretty when she’s meant to just be plain.? Otherwise, it was very loyal to the novel and I enjoyed the book. It is a very fast read, and I look forward to reading more manga classics from Udon.

Thank you NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
eli44's profile picture

eli44's review

3.0
emotional inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

booksuperpower's review

5.0

Jane Eyre: Manga Classic by Charlotte Bronte and Stacy King is a 2016 UDON Entertainment publication.

If are reading this review on Goodreads, then you can tell from my profile pic/avatar that I’m a huge fan of Jane Eyre. So, with my developing interest in Manga/Comics/Graphic Novels, choosing this book was a no- brainer for me.

Yet, at the same time, I might have been taking a risk, since the story is one my favorites. What if the graphics didn’t live up to my expectations or what if the story was restructured in a way that disappointed me? Well, I need not have worried. Stacy King has been the illustrator for several other Manga Classics and has always done a wonderful job of formatting these beloved stories into the Manga format. This one was no exception.

I’ve read Jane Eyre several times, have seen several movie adaptations, as well, but reading it with these vivid illustrations truly brings the story to life in a way anyone can appreciate and enjoy.



I won’t rehash the plot, as it is familiar to most everyone. I will say that this book is part of the reason I developed a love for Gothic fiction and is one of the reasons why it holds a special place in my heart.

So, enjoying this story again, in a new format has been a real treat. The artist did an amazing job with the characters’ facial expressions and period clothing, while adhering to the unique Manga art form. Although, I must admit, Jane isn’t really all that plain, in this book- she’s simply adorable!! The book is structured in such a way the reader is truly engaged and the story flows at a nice fresh pace.

Overall, this is another outstanding addition to the Manga Classics library.

5 stars



bookishcoven's review

4.0

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jane Eyre surely is a very strong and independent woman portrayed in a clever way. I have to admit that I had never read this classic before and I regret it because I have been missing out this wonderful tale. Reading it in manga format was interesting because made me get into the story even more and helped give this ageless story a modern twist.

I just read a modern retelling of Jane Eyre in graphic novel form this past week, so I figured I would read a graphic novel version of the original book to compare. This book make Rochester seem a little less like a jerk than I remember him being.. but not as less of a jerk as he was in the modern retelling, so there's that.

lolly2's review

4.0
emotional fast-paced
slow-paced