I have not read the original classic, so I cannot make a comparison. The story alone flowed well, but I didn't really connect with it. I think it would be a great companion with the original book, rather than a stand alone.

Enjoyed this graphic novel of the Scarlett letter. It's one of my all time favorite classics to read. And having a visual to go along with the story makes it much better. Graphics are great!

This was a really interesting take on the traditional story that I really enjoyed reading. I'm a big fan of the classic and to see it refreshed with adorable illustrations was wonderful. I'd definitely recommend it if this is your kind of thing.

I was not a fan of the original book.
Even tho I am not a fan, doesn't mean I don't care about maintaing the integrity of a classic.
I think this book was a great version of the original story, and I really enjoyed it.

I think that this book would be a great way to introduce some of the classics to people who have not read them before.

Its funny, but I first read the (non-graphic) book a couple of years ago, not in High School, but it was a free title for my Kindle. I really don't remember if I wrote a review or not. It's a classic, so who am I to critic the written words of Nathaniel Hawthorne.

So when I walk about 'The Scarlet Letter' graphical novel, I am writing about what I think of the presentation and artwork. Great stuff here, pat yourself on the back! I know lots of artists drawing Anima and are quite good. I am an artist, but never drew one anima. I have never attempted to illustrate a great book as a comic/graphic novel. I admire the skill, the ability to draw the same characters over and over again, in different poses. I admire how what is seen in one's mind while reading 'The Scarlet Letter' is reproduced on paper and in ink, consistently following the novel and staying true to what Hawthorne wrote.

I thank the publisher for allowing me to have a copy of this book, to be able to read this classic illustrated as it were. and put together. While I would recommend non-graphic books over graphic novels, this is a solution to those students who are lacking in desire and/or ability consume the written word but know what would be missing if not introduced to classic novels in this artful medium.

I've read Thr Count of Monte Cristo in the same format. I do believe they made it concise and understable making the read fast and enjoyable.. Having graphics in classics literature makes it less intimadating and interesting. Though they some part may have been taking out, the important ones and highlights are present.

A fun manga style take on the Scarlet Letter. Udon consistently delivers high quality modern interpretations of classics for teens and young adults.

'The Scarlet Letter' has always been on my mind ever since I first read it. So when I realised there was a manga adaptation, I had to read that too. I read various adaptations in order to understand the characters and their choices better. I still cringe at the ending of this story because I believe Hester deserves a happy ending but she got what was the most practically possible one in their time, okay.
Coming to the manga adaptation, I was surprised that Dimmesdale was dark-haired. In my imagination, he had always been blonde and he looked really younger than he was supposed to. Pearl was a cute baby and an even cuter kid. I felt Hester could have been a bit more expressive, but it was a good read overall.

This is definitely a five star book for me, because of the wonderful craftsmanship that went into the drawings and the scrupulous attention to detail needed to adapt this novel into a manga.

I'm less of a fan of the story itself, because of all the emphasis on "morality" and religion that permeate it. There's a lot of hypocrisy and harshness in the Puritan community in the book, with little to no Christian, or indeed any other, kindness towards one's fellow man. The townspeople are evil, hiding behind piousness, and this is illustrated in the drawings by the black shadow-like masks that fall on their faces, and that of Hester's estranged husband.

Hester Prynne is kind, brave and strong, a wonderful heroine. She takes responsibility for her mistakes and is steadfastly loyal to her partner in sin, whose name she refuses to give up.
The minister, on the other hand, is a coward and a weakling. He does nothing to help his child or the woman he had an affair with.

Hester's husband is at times drawn almost like the devil himself, face half in shadows and hair blowing wild behind him. He is also often depicted with a big scary snake. A biblical reference maybe to the snake that enticed Eve, and through Eve, Adam into sin.

The letter A, symbolizing first Hester's sin and later her penitence & kindness, is always colored in red, even though the rest of the illustrations are in black&white. We are never allowed to forget that it is there, nor is she.

Pearl is a strange child, in part due to her unusual and isolated upbringing. This is very well reflected in the way she is drawn and the scenes she is depicted in. A beautiful example is when she lurks behind the trees, with the sunbeams shining through the forest, instead of running towards her mother and the minister even though her mother repeatedly calls out to her.

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.