I'm happy that my students have an option to read graphic novel adaptations of classic texts such as this one. I can imagine using it to supplement a lesson, or for ELLS and struggling readers. I do think that the format will be challenging for Western readers at first.

If you're searching for alternate ways to read classic literature, you may wish to try Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter in graphic novel format.

There are many things I appreciate about this manga interpretation of this tragic story. The beginning includes a guide on the traditional manga format, in which the pages are read from right to left.

I love the way the story is condensed and yet remains faithful to the original. There's an informative authors’ note at the end that explains the adaptation and discusses the metaphors within the original story as artistic choices.

The backgrounds and backdrops displayed are well done and each image is vivid. The story is rendered in black and white with a bold pop of red for the Scarlet A and the fonts are easy to read.

The pages are engrossing because of the depth of detail in creating the scenes and expressions. I especially like how faces are enlarged in the frame so the expression pops out more at viewers.

You can envision their shame and see there was no inner solitude for those tormented by those advocating a greater purity. You can also see how the crowd's mentality was frightening and may have influenced behavior, especially during that era of Puritan America.

First and foremost thank you netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book.

Another classic I had yet to read, manga makes it much more enjoyable to myself. The artwork was gorgeous, the story was very well done.

I rate this a 5/5 as well. I will be purchasing this book asap as well as recommending it to everyone!

The illustrations are just lovely. This is a first for me, reading a manga version of a classic, but I do absolutely believe the story was done just in everyday by the artwork and Retelling . My favorite character was precocious little Pearl who seems to come to life more than ever in this version. The emotions are believable and touching. It really is a great adaption ,

The reader starts the story in the 19th century in Salem, Massachusetts. The narrator is a custom officer with dreams of becoming an author.

During the 17th century, in Boston, the Puritans ruled the land, despising all sins…great or small. When Hester Prynne cheats on her husband, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter “A” marked for adulterer. But that is not her only punishment, her baby marks her sin for all to see, as well as a prison sentence. But Hester will not reveal who the father is.

After being released from prison, Hester works on her embroidery to make a living. Soon, she is acknowledged by people with status for her skill. But after realizing whose work was behind it, Prynne was quickly shunned, even by people who needed help.

Eventually, the truth behind Pearl’s father comes to light.

As her baby, Pearl, starts to grow, the townsfolk look to take her away from her “sinful” mother. But whose child is Pearl really? Are things as they appear?

For someone who has never read Manga before, I found this to be an easy transition. Starting from the back instead of the front, you would think it would be difficult to get used to, but it was actually extremely habitual.

This was not a book for me. I didn’t feel anything for the story or the characters. I haven’t read the original (seen the movie, though) and perhaps I missed something crucial for that. But no, the romance didn’t bring anything, the intrigue was strange and weird and I guess that’s the original story’s problem.

Still, it’s illustrations are as lovely as any manga and I felt like they fit the story well.

Now I have to confess if I had known that this story was set in puritanical America I probably wouldn’t have requested a copy for the purposes of reviewing it. In all honesty I saw manga and decided I must have it. Being a relatively recent convert to the world of anime, manga and Japanese culture and media in general I leapt into it with enthusiasm.
The story focuses on the lady Hester Prynne who having cheated on her husband and giving birth to the child of her unknown lover is made to bear the mark of an adulteress. Following her story over the years as in her own way she raises her daughter, Pearl, whilst overcoming the stigma of her brand.
What I enjoyed most about this is the absolutely beautiful artwork in this book. The clear black and white pictures and classic manga style worked very well with the only colour being the red letter A on the main character, Hester, a woman who has been found guilty of committing the sin of adultery and wearing the symbol so all would know and never forget what she had done. A little heavy handed yes, but as I said its set in puritanical America and those people really went to town on the old good and sinful natures of people. This manga is based on an older story of the same name which I have to admit I have never read.
I would definitely recommend this manga to people based on the artwork alone. With the bold lines and shading done beautifully and Hester's ‘A' standing out in red as the only colour in the book.

I’m always looking for new versions and formats of classics to put in students hands and this is one I will definitely be purchasing. Students will love the artwork and retelling of this classic in the manga format!

Another well done manga adaptation of a classic. I'm not a big fan of the classic novel since I found it pretty boring, but this manga version is a pretty well done work.

Reading this was the best decision ever. I enjoyed reading every bit of the manga. The concept of adapting classics in manga version is so good and I'm so grateful to the publishers for having thought of this brilliant idea. It makes reading classics so easy and interesting. It's perfect for everyone. I haven't read the original Hawthorne version because I always get intimidated about reading classics. But I always wanted to read it someday just because I wanted to know the story. So when I came across this I literally jumped with happiness and decided that I had to read this one!

What I really liked about it was the illustrations. It is downright beautiful with every detail so accurate. The cover page is just perfect. I was attracted to it immediately. The story so good that I didn't even want to take a break and go on reading. I found this manga version so fast paced contrary to the usual slow pace of classics. I had read a couple of mangas previously so I knew how it was supposed to be read. But I love the book guides manga newbies on how it is supposed to be read.

For those who do not already know the story, it is about a woman called Hester Prynne. Set in 17th century in Puritan Massachusetts, Hester Prynne has an affair and gives birth to a baby girl. She is considered sinful and is put to prison and also made to wear a scarlet "A" embroidered to her dress throughout her life, where "A" stands for adulteress. Her punishment is to stand on the scaffold and confess the child's father's name in front of the public. She refuses to reveal his name. After she is released from prison she decides to raise the child in the same town. She is constantly humiliated and ridiculed by the people but she tries to live a virtuous life and be kind to people. Her husband who returns upon knowing about Hester's adultery becomes adamant on knowing the father of the child and makes his life a living hell.

The story is emotional and tugs at your heart. Hester's little girl made my heart melt. Knowing how people were shamed for adultery in those days makes you shiver. Even though it isn't as bad as then these days, there are people who still ridicule and judge others for what happens in their life which is sad. I hope someday the world will be full of people who treat others with nothing but kindness and who never judge others. Wishful thinking i know but how beautiful would that be!

Overall, I enjoyed reading this manga classic and really looking forward to read more of them. I'll definitely recommend this to everyone.

As a libraryan at a public high school, I am well aware of the power of classics. I am also aware of the fact that not all students can dive into a standard tome. The Scarlet Letter manga version takes Nathaniel Hawthorne' s work and makes it accessible to a wider audience. With manga-style images and a text that stays true to the classic, this book pays homageo to the original without having students wading through a lengtht text. I have already purchased copies of this and the others in the series for my students.

The manga adaptation was near perfect. I loved the designs and the ease of reading a classic that I could hardly get into previously.

While it was obvious who Pearl's father was, I felt the fear that he was feeling.

All in all it was a nice quick read.

Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic, The Scarlett Letter, jumps vividly to life on the pages of this Manga adaptation. I have always loved this story, not in small part due to the universal truth that everyone has their sins, but some are far more visible than others. The creators of this Manga version have done a wonderful job illustrating the characters and showing intensity of emotion as well as helping to move the plot forward. I would highly recommend this bok!

Nice artwork. This is an ideal introduction to classic fiction for children and young adults. There are many different ways to help them engage in the story.

The Scarlet Letter is a great book, but even better in manga form I believe. If you like the classic, you should read this version! Stacy King and the other creators did an amazing job turning the book into a manga. You get all of the best parts of the classic, plus some of the most beautiful art (without colors) I have seen with manga. I can't wait to buy this and have it in my collection. Also, I have this a 5 out of 5 stars.

Honest review in exchange for a copy from NetGalley and the publisher.
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I haven't read the original Hawthorne novel before, so I went into this with a blank slate and knowing nothing of the plot.

The artwork is wonderful and the scenes are beautifully designed. The story is not very interesting to me, but I can definitely understand why it would be popular at the time that it was written. That said, I think the artwork does a great job of bringing the story to life.
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Short review on Litsy:


Copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I have not read the original Hawthorne novel and dived into this without any prior knowledge of the plot.
I loved the beautiful artwork. The story was nothing extraordinary, but I can see why it would be popular when it was written.

Overall: 2.5/5 stars

I expected this to be a bit sedate considering the subject, but again Udon pulled off a great job! I’m impresssed by every book they release. Keep them coming

This is the second book of the Manga Classics that I have read and again, I loved how the artwork told the story in a simpler format, for someone like me who isn't familiar with The Scarlet Letter. The art was gorgeous and really helped to bring the story to life.

Having read the SL multiple times in my school career, it was refreshing to see a different approach to this classic novel. The art, as in the other manga adaptations of classical literature, added life to the characters, particularly Hester. I never thought I'd ever see a manga version of this book, and it actually made the book much more enjoyable. The more modern English text used also helped, yet it did still keep with the spirit of being from the past. Definitely will use this version of the book to get my future high school students into classic American literature!

I am truly grateful to get this from Net Galley as an exchange for honest review.
I would highlight that Classic is not really my genre, it's a bit hard for me to understand the sentences as English is not my first language too. Therefore, when I thought that it would be made into manga, I was thrilled, hoping it would help me to understand the story better .

The Scarlet Letter told a story of <b>a sin</b> acted by Hester Prynne. In this world, it's adultery or cheating, I suppose it's called. In that time, 17th century, if I recalled, Hester was deemed to be punished because of this sin and was asked to tell her partner, but refused to do so.

I would start with what I liked about this manga, I love the drawing especially for Hester and the little Pearl, Hester's daughter. It's the typical manga drawing that you would find interesting and I love it. It also captured well of the hypocrisy of the villagers who deemed her guilty, that made me just wanted to shut them off for being so. Another one is the way Hester's character was portrayed there. Instead of feeling sad, she's shown to be determined and strong, making her a like-able character.

However, I have to admit that time passes and as much as this is a manga, it would be logical to make her character growing older. If anyone, Hester's so-called husband was the only one who seemed to be lost in time. Hester still looked so young and lovable. I know it's a manga, but I believe that even in real world and that time, a stay young beauty product hasn't been introduced yet, or maybe it does? Oh well.

Secondly, the way the minister keeps holding his hand is quite obvious, like I know he's hiding something, especially since the beginning. I do not understand why. In addition, there is not much explanation about Pearls' bizarre behavior. She seemed quite peculiar, to be honest.

And lastly, I believe this story was supposed to be told by another character who suddenly found about The Scarlet Letter, but then there was not much about him that made me feel like he's supposed to be the one who was supposed to be telling it. Usually I love a POV like that, when a present person told an old story with some hidden mysteries.

Alas, I still enjoy this story and I believe the manga still delivers it purposes about the Novel. Oh, just an advice! Make sure to read it from right to left, this is a manga after all....