Member Reviews
I think is a very good adaptation and a good introduction to the classics for people who may only read comic.
I love the idea of a manga adaptation of a Shakespeare play as it presents a classic in a new way. As I am very familiar with Macbeth, I was curious to see how this adaptation would turn out. The manga version follows the play where Macbeth receives a prophecy from three witches that he will be King of Scotland. The road to the throne leads to murder and paranoia, which was nicely captured in the illustrations. The storyline follows the classic play and utilizes both the written words from the original work and the imagery expressed.
The illustrations in this story were beautiful and well-done. They were drawn in a more stylized manner compared to the “classic” looks someone would see in a play or other adaption. There was a lot of imagery on the page, which provided a nice background, especially on pages with more dialogue. Since this is Shakespeare, it is not fully in modern English, which can be difficult to follow sometimes. If you aren’t as familiar with the story or for any other reason, I can see how this version would not be as accessible even though there are illustrations to accompany the story. I still love the idea of creating manga versions of these classics as it expands the audience. Overall, this was a great version of the play and I cannot wait to read more from the classics collection.
**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, UDON Entertainment, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
Thank you so much to the publisher for allowing me to review a copy of this book via NetGalley.
Manga Classics: Macbeth, an adaptation of William Shakespeare's iconic play, not only rekindles my fond memories of growing up with Classical Comics but also reaffirms Shakespeare's timeless brilliance as my ultimate favorite playwright and author. This manga rendition, with its stunning artistry, warrants a solid five-star rating.
As someone who was raised on Classical Comics, this manga adaptation of Macbeth transports me back to my formative years, evoking a wave of nostalgia and reigniting my love for Shakespeare's works. The seamless fusion of classical literature and the vibrant world of manga brings forth a refreshing and engaging way to experience this timeless tragedy.
The true beauty of Manga Classics: Macbeth lies in its remarkable artwork. Each panel is a visual treat, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and an incredible talent for capturing the essence of the characters. The artist's ability to convey emotions through expressive faces and dynamic action sequences is awe-inspiring. The illustrations have a distinctive manga style, which adds a layer of depth and intensity to the narrative, breathing new life into Shakespeare's words.
What sets this adaptation apart is its skillful employment of symbolism and visual metaphors. The artistry transcends the pages, offering an immersive experience that enhances the understanding and interpretation of Macbeth's tale. The symbolic imagery cleverly weaves its way into the story, enriching the narrative and shedding new light on the characters' inner struggles and motivations.
Manga Classics: Macbeth serves as a testament to the enduring relevance and universal appeal of Shakespeare's works. It successfully captures the essence of the original play while infusing it with the vibrancy and creativity of the manga medium. The combination of Shakespeare's masterful storytelling and the artist's exquisite illustrations creates a harmonious blend that is both captivating and visually striking.
For those familiar with Classical Comics and lovers of Shakespeare, this manga adaptation is a must-read. It not only pays homage to our cherished literary memories but also reignites our passion for the timeless works of the Bard. Manga Classics: Macbeth deserves its five-star rating for its ability to seamlessly blend nostalgia, beautiful artwork, and the enduring genius of William Shakespeare into an unforgettable reading experience.
I enjoyed this so much. This is my favorite William Shakespeare play and it was amazing to see it in this form and with original language. I enjoy all the Manga Classics I read and suggests them to people all the time and Macbeth is no different.
Thank you, NetGalley, Julien Choy, and publishers for gifting me a copy of the Manga Classic of Macbeth in return for my honest opinion.
4/5
Some of the commenters need to realize that if you don't like the original text/writing then they should get the modern English version instead. That is the reason they made the two versions! I will admit I find it hard to read and comprehend as well but when you have the illustrations/graphics added it gives you some clarity.
The illustrations were a perfect addition to the text and it made a great improvement, again in my opinion, to the original play. I have never been the biggest Shakespeare, especially since it is what we were assigned to read in School, and who really enjoys any book you had to read for homework? Or at least you won't admit you liked it.
This was a wonderful way to enjoy a classic and reminisce about the good old days of school! I would recommend this version, with a warning that it is old English and might not be everyone's cup of tea.
I think the very idea of manga classics is brilliant and this book did not disappoint. Whether you are a fan of the classic or you want to dip your toe but are scared of classics, this is a great way to start or revisit them! I loved Mcbeth and the illustrations it provided.
As with the Romeo and Juliet manga I read, I loved the artwork, but the story was alright and I just couldn't get behind the way the dialogue was written. I get that this is the way Shakespeare wrote, but I just don't love that at all.
An interesting adaptation of the original novel by Shakespeare. Although the graphics are well done, the story was hard to follow and many of today’s youth probably will not understand this manga book. If you are able to follow the old English style of Shakespeare’s writing you will probably enjoy this novel.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Manga Classics are always a beautiful experience and this was no exception. I really enjoyed this adaptation and would 100% recommend it to friends!
I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed this book the characters were interesting and the book was hard to put down. I highly recommend
I think I'm gonna be so into the Manga Classics series from now on. I like Macbeth but this is so much more fun.
This is the way to teach the play. The full text done as a work of Manga is brilliant. I love watching the plays, of course, but they were meant to be seen. This is the perfect merging of the play on stage with the text. Context is everything. This book gives it all. Love the Manga Classics series. Next time I have a chance to teach Shakespeare, I am coming here.
While I’m new to manga, I still loved this book. The story is well known - Shakespeare’s classic play Macbeth - although the format is unique. There were a few quirks to get used to, and I had a few issues finding the right app to read it, but I loved the style.
Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.com and voluntarily chose to review.
I love Shakespeare plays. I think that putting them in manga format helps younger people get into these amazing plays.
My biggest complaint is that since it's a manga it is read back to front and on the phone you have to scroll all the way to the back. Also page breaks are not always that easy to identify so sometimes I didn't know where to start
1.5. So, thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read it. But I have to be honest, I didn’t finish it. The drawings are wonderful, this is a great point, the best. I don't want to be mean or anything, but I don’t think the manga format is a good choice if you keep the original text. Maybe, a more modern adaptation of it would have been better. Because between the text, that can be difficult, and the drawings, which are full of details, you can easily get lost.
I’m pretty sad to be honest. I really wanted to like it.
I gave feedback on this book ages ago but lost the book. I just loaded the book again to show a friend of mine at work who sounded really interested in this concept
I really enjoyed getting to read Macbeth in manga format! I’ve always been curious about Macbeth and now I’m glad I tried it! I give this one 4 out of 5 stars!
Macbeth is one of the Shakespeare Classics that I haven't read yet, but I will do for sure (maybe only for un, but still). Again this Manga Classic made me fall in love with the story and gave me back the spark of love for Shakespeare that I seemingly lost due to university stuff. But now I'm back in the game, thanks to the beautiful artwork of this Manga!
A wonderfully original way to read one of Shakespeare's plays! This really helped me better envision the play, which I knew and loved from before. Loved the art style too!
If you love classic literature and mangas you'll love this book. Great modernization of a classic novel without trying to pass it off as their own story. Truly appreciated.