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kdawn999's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars to this fun adaptation of Emma. The art was not my preferred style, but I'm so happy this didn't dumb down the book! Austen's slyness and wit are preserved even if a bit curtailed, and let's admit it: having less of Mr Woodhouse and Miss Bates is ok.
lifeand100books's review against another edition
3.0
What do you get when you combine one of Jane Austen’s classic works with the minds behind Marvel Comics? Why, a graphic novel series of course. Nancy Butler has turned three of Austen’s works into graphic novel format thus far: Sense and Sensibility (which I’ve reviewed here), Pride and Prejudice, and now Emma. As the newest release, Emma intrigued me because I’ve already enjoyed one of Butler’s works, and figured that combining two of my great literary interests (Austen and to a lesser extent, graphic novels) would be a lot of fun. Butler tells the tale of Emma, Knightly, Jane Fairfax, and all of Austen’s other beloved characters with as much enthusiasm and truth as the original work. Adding a new dimension with the incorporation of the graphic novel format, Butler relays the tale of Emma and her belief that she is always correct in all things despite her limited worldview. It is not until the proposal of Mr. Knightly that brings her back to reality that she realizes how wrong she has been the entire time.
Being a graphic novel, obviously the most important part of keeping and capturing your audience would be the illustrations. With that being said, each of the three Austen graphic novels I’ve read have had a different illustrator so far. The illustrations in Pride and Prejudice led to very “porn-like” characters and didn’t match the original descriptions of the characters at all. Sense and Sensibility was much better, with tasteful illustrations that matched the time period. Emma, on the other hand, had very child-like illustrations that seemed out-of-place. It became difficult at times to discern characters due to similar illustrations. What I found interesting was the attention to detail spent on the wallpapers, designs on women’s dresses, and scenery, while so little was spent on making sure each character was distinguishable. Every character seemed to have similar facial structures and hair. On the other hand, the adaptation of the text was done quite well. Butler has done a great job making sure that the bulk of the story is told, and the important bits of dialogue make it over to the graphic novel adaptation. I’m sure a lot of people would think that Austen’s work would be diminished by being imported into a graphic novel format, but I think the illustrations can actually aid in telling the story. People that don’t have the time to pick up Austen’s novels and read them may find it easier to get that Austen “fix” by reading these graphic novel formats. In all, I enjoyed Butler’s adaptation of this timeless classic, as well at her other works in this format so far. Although the illustrations needed definite work, certain parts were done quite well. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series!
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1gi
Being a graphic novel, obviously the most important part of keeping and capturing your audience would be the illustrations. With that being said, each of the three Austen graphic novels I’ve read have had a different illustrator so far. The illustrations in Pride and Prejudice led to very “porn-like” characters and didn’t match the original descriptions of the characters at all. Sense and Sensibility was much better, with tasteful illustrations that matched the time period. Emma, on the other hand, had very child-like illustrations that seemed out-of-place. It became difficult at times to discern characters due to similar illustrations. What I found interesting was the attention to detail spent on the wallpapers, designs on women’s dresses, and scenery, while so little was spent on making sure each character was distinguishable. Every character seemed to have similar facial structures and hair. On the other hand, the adaptation of the text was done quite well. Butler has done a great job making sure that the bulk of the story is told, and the important bits of dialogue make it over to the graphic novel adaptation. I’m sure a lot of people would think that Austen’s work would be diminished by being imported into a graphic novel format, but I think the illustrations can actually aid in telling the story. People that don’t have the time to pick up Austen’s novels and read them may find it easier to get that Austen “fix” by reading these graphic novel formats. In all, I enjoyed Butler’s adaptation of this timeless classic, as well at her other works in this format so far. Although the illustrations needed definite work, certain parts were done quite well. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series!
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1gi
saracat's review against another edition
4.0
I first should say that I have not yet read the original Jane Austen book which this adaptation is made from (though I did watch the YouTube series "Emma Approved" some years ago so I was familiar with the general arch of the story). While I can't say how faithful this adaptation is to the original, I was able to mostly follow the story. The only real problem I had was keeping track of all the characters. This may be easier in a longer novel, but maybe it would be just as much work to keep all the characters straight regardless of the format. One thing that did help was that each character had something distinctive in their appearance and that aided me in knowing who was speaking.
I was very pleased how many of the characters had both likable characteristics as well as moments that I felt frustrated with them. It made them feel more real to me.
On the art style, I really liked how it looked as if it had been hand colored by copic markers, which gave it a feel that I felt was better for a story set in the 1800s. And the use of thin versus thicker outlining was used to great effect in the comic as well.
I was very pleased how many of the characters had both likable characteristics as well as moments that I felt frustrated with them. It made them feel more real to me.
On the art style, I really liked how it looked as if it had been hand colored by copic markers, which gave it a feel that I felt was better for a story set in the 1800s. And the use of thin versus thicker outlining was used to great effect in the comic as well.
clare_tan_wenhui's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic novelisation of my favourite Austen title, with quirkier and cuter artwork (as compared to the previous Pride & Prejudice in the same series), capturing the dating and flirting complexities very well.
shanyreader's review against another edition
2.0
See...I tried to read Emma, like, the original, but it was just way too dense for me to dive into, and I didn't find myself really into the characters the same way I was with Pride and Prejudice.
Now...I have to say that this was an okay read- I suppose if you like Emma, it's a much shorter (BUT NOT THAT MUCH SHORTER) way to get what seems to be the whole plot of the original book. However...who would want to read that book anyway. Emma is one of the most selfish and disillusioned heroines I have ever had the misfortune of reading about. I could not stand how silly she was, and there were really no characters at all whom I could really like. I think I dodged a bullet by reading this in its shorter graphic novel form than having spent days trying to get through a book I'm sure I would not have liked anyway. The ending was very abrupt (As Austen usually does--the characters get married right at the very end) but to me, there was no real build-up between Knightley and Emma at all. And everyone was just so confusing...wahhh. I kept getting names mixed up and not understanding the relevance of this book at all.
Also, the drawings...I mean, I love that beautiful pink dress Emma wears on the back cover, and some of the dresses really are uber cute! However...the characters were just...odd looking to me. I didn't really care for how they were portrayed. It seemed too carcitureish for me. And that random FIRE that just came out of nowhere. Am I the only one who noticed that? Like, FIRE in random corners of the pages? Such a weird angle! And gah. Just gah. .5 stars for the drawings. Way too bright and not my style, but saved by the dresses and the expressive facial expressions (those were very well done).
I'm sure that I could have looked past the artwork if the story had been more engaging. It's not Ms. Butler's fault--nope...this goes all the way back to Ms. Austen. I'm so sorry! I wanted to love all your books! But Emma was evilll!!!!
Overall...only read this if you like Emma.
Now...I have to say that this was an okay read- I suppose if you like Emma, it's a much shorter (BUT NOT THAT MUCH SHORTER) way to get what seems to be the whole plot of the original book. However...who would want to read that book anyway. Emma is one of the most selfish and disillusioned heroines I have ever had the misfortune of reading about. I could not stand how silly she was, and there were really no characters at all whom I could really like. I think I dodged a bullet by reading this in its shorter graphic novel form than having spent days trying to get through a book I'm sure I would not have liked anyway. The ending was very abrupt (As Austen usually does--the characters get married right at the very end) but to me, there was no real build-up between Knightley and Emma at all. And everyone was just so confusing...wahhh. I kept getting names mixed up and not understanding the relevance of this book at all.
Also, the drawings...I mean, I love that beautiful pink dress Emma wears on the back cover, and some of the dresses really are uber cute! However...the characters were just...odd looking to me. I didn't really care for how they were portrayed. It seemed too carcitureish for me. And that random FIRE that just came out of nowhere. Am I the only one who noticed that? Like, FIRE in random corners of the pages? Such a weird angle! And gah. Just gah. .5 stars for the drawings. Way too bright and not my style, but saved by the dresses and the expressive facial expressions (those were very well done).
I'm sure that I could have looked past the artwork if the story had been more engaging. It's not Ms. Butler's fault--nope...this goes all the way back to Ms. Austen. I'm so sorry! I wanted to love all your books! But Emma was evilll!!!!
Overall...only read this if you like Emma.
linguana's review against another edition
3.0
Yay for the Austen story, nay for the drawing style. It toally wasn't my cup of tea. Full review here: http://sffbookreview.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/jane-austen-emma-marvel-classics/