Thanks to NetGalley and UDON Entertainment for the opportunity to read and review Manga Classics! Manga Classics include Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, which is true to the original classic with added cliffhangers to keep manga readers interested and eye-catching illustrations. After the story ends, the details of adaptation from classic literature to manga lets us see into the transformation. Each story in this collection follows these same guidelines! Impressive artwork and transformation!
Manga Classics also include The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (the only color is the scarlet letter A, which makes striking illustrations!), Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, The Stories of Edgar Allan Poe: The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven. The Cask of Amontillado, The Masque of the Red death and The Fall of the House of Usher; Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and many more!
5 stars for books that make classics accessible and understandable to every reader!

It is The Scarlet Letter in Manga style comic book. It takes the story and places fantastic illustrations to convey the message. It's great for kids who prefer mangas over novels a way to get their feet wet with the stories and get more involved.

This comic book was interesting. It did not make me like Scarlet Lwtter anymore than when I first read it in high school, Interesting concept.

Classics are always one of those things that most people WANT to read or SAY they will read but most of us never get around to it. Most classics are massive and tedious or they have complex writing that deters readers. But if you really want to get the overall concept of a classic without having to read the entire book then these mangas are the perfect thing for you.

This specific classic is The Scarlet Letter. If you commit certain sins you are mad to wear an embroidered letter on your clothing so everyone knows of your transgression. A is for adultery. This story was crazy but I really enjoyed it and I know I never would have enjoyed the story this much had I just read the actual book. These mangas truly are amazing for people like me.

I went into this graphic novel without having read The Scarlet Letter
The story begins with a mob of Puritans discussing Hester Prynne’s crime of adultery with a mysterious man who has left her with a baby, Pearl, and that’s the basis of the entire plot. Due to her crimes she is forced to wear the letter "A" for adultery engraved in her clothes (red, hence scarlet) as a reminder.

Slightly rushed in my opinion: many time skips to my liking and the personality traits weren't fully explained or developed. I do understand that as it is a manga version, these kind of things would happen, but it felt like it was completely erased.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. Very fast paced and easy to read. Though I recommend more Manga Classics: Great Expectations check out my review here

Manga Classics have done it again. Another title to add to the manga collection for fans.

I think this is really perfect for the classic fan. It is something that would work for the none reader too. Especially those who have a habit of not reading the book and just "watching the movie" last minute before a book report is due.

Thank you for this book! This is such an easy way for me to get more difficult texts into the hands of my lower readers ESPECIALLY because it utilizes the same language as the original However, the PDF file was corrupt and I couldn't read it so I can't exactly review it. I gave it 5 stars, though, because I've read similar books like this one and they're always great.

The Scarlet Letter was beautiful and the illustrations add to the story wonderfully. I mentioned it to some of our customers and we already have a waiting list. Parents are very excited about a new way to capture the attention of young readers in classic novels.

It's been awhile since I've read the original Scarlet Letter, but this graphic novel brought so much of it back. And it even helped me to understand the story better.

The illustrations are beautiful. I especially liked those of Pearl and Hester. I especially liked the black and white with the scarlet letter being the only colour throughout. What a stark contrast. Beautifully done.

*Note: I received a copy of this title from the people at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Manga classics has such wonderful classic adaptations. I would recommend anyone getting the novels for anyone interested in reading about classic stories in a fun and easy way.
The Scarlet Letter was no different.. The graphics were wonderful and the plot was very nicely brought out. The story was really great.

I'm actually really surprised by the quality of this graphic novel adaptation. Usually my main problem with these manga classics books is that the graphic novels can't really stand by themselves. They need the reference text and require the reader to have read the original book to fully understand. This adaptation, however, is by far the best Manga Classics adaptation I've read. Yes, having read The Scarlet Letter did enrich my experience, but I think the story could be read on its own as well. The art stays consistently beautiful.

I do think the art and graphics went a bit over the top regarding the Dr. and Pastor's interactions, but it's a small complaint. Overall, I think this would be a great companion read for any teaching of Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. I also think it would get younger audiences interested in reading the classic.

Okay, so The Scarlet Letter was DEFINITELY not meant to be told in manga format, and it shows. A LOT.

But it's okay, they tried their best to make it work, which is nice. But it's very clear that this book has too many metaphors and symbolism wrapped up in it to ever be depicted in a manga volume accurately enough. But, they tried, and that's what matters.

There is also an issue with the pacing in this novel. I'm assuming, since I haven't read the original classic, it had a lot more content than what was shown here, because we seemingly never got enough character depth or development, practically at all, though the characters are extremely interesting, especially with them having all these secrets brewing right under the surface.

Other than that, the art was fantastic, both detailed and great at showing the two-sided forms of these characters. I loved the fact that throughout the entirety of the manga, Hester's scarlet letter was the only thing in color, which was a nice touch.

I would recommend reading and buying this if you are a fan of the Scarlet Letter and want to look at this new format, or want to truly look at the characters depicted throughout the story.

Book Review
Title: The Scarlet Letter
Author: Crystal S. Chan (Story Adaptation), SunNeko Lee (Illustrator), W.T. Francis (Lettering), Nathaniel Hawthorne (Original Story)
Genre: Classic/Manga adaptation
Rating: ****
Review: After reading the manga adaptation of Jane Eyre I couldn’t wait to jump into the Scarlet Letter, yet another classic I have heard nothing about (what a sheltered reading life I’ve had!) So, after being auto-approved for all Udon Entertainments books I could wait to start a Scarlet Letter. The story opens in 19th century Salem in the USA, where Nathaniel is clearing out some outdated paperwork finds a mysterious letter. We then jump back 2 centuries and move location to Boston where Hester Prynne is being persecuted for having an affair and having the child of her lover which is against everything that Puritans stand for. As the people of Boston are strong of faith they imprison Hester and her 3-month-old daughter Pearl for her crime and she is forced to wear an embroidered scarlet A upon her breast. We learn that Hester was married off to a man much older than herself who showed her no love or affection and after she was sent to Boston alone for several years she took comfort in another although she refuses to speak the name of the man who fathered her child and is soon returned to her cell.
However, Pearl soon falls ill, and a Doctor Roger Chillingworth arrives, this man is Hester’s husband and while he doesn’t wish to harm Hester or Pearl he desires to know the name of Pearl’s father, so he may take his revenge, yet Hester remains mute. One thing that struck me was Hester could have left and started a new life, but she chooses to stay in a place where she is condemned at every turn, but she does manage to make a living selling her beautiful needlework to those in the town although she is exempt from making bridalwear as it is considered to sacred for a sinner to make. Several years pass and Pearl is becoming quite the beautiful child but Hester fears that her sin has tainted her daughter and no matter what Hester preaches Pearl doesn’t believe in God and appears slightly demonic to others. As rumours of the Pearl’s blasphemy spreads around the town the Governors blame Hester and begins planning to take Pearl from her and give her to a better guardian, so Hester naturally goes to plead her case only to find her husband among the guardians.
As we approach the hallway mark in the manga, we see the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale constantly pleads Hester’s case and is pivotal in Hester being allowed to keep her child and it almost seems as if that the Reverend, a man of God, is the father of the child of sin. Doctor Chillingworth also suspects the Reverend of defiling his wife and befriends the man to learn his secrets under the guise of healing his ailment but Mr. Dimmesdale much like Hester refuses to speak of the sin that is causing him physical pain, but it is so clear what the sin is every time he lays eyes upon Hester and Pearl although others remain blind to this the good doctor does not. It is confirmed when the guilt of what he had done becomes too much for the Reverend and he must confess his sins although he is too much of a coward to do it while alive but along the way he comes across Hester and Pearl and for the first time he acknowledges them as his own, however, this takes place in the dead of night with only the three of them present although another watched from the shadows.
It is unclear whether Doctor Chillingworth saw the whole exchange or just the end of it but it seems to confirm his suspicions but the Reverend has suspicions of his own and Pearl whispers to him who the Doctor is but he doesn’t believe her and still returns home with the man hell bent on vengeance. As the years pass two things remain constant, Doctor Chillingworth torments the Reverend with the unspoken knowledge of his sin and Pearl continually asks Hester about the meaning of the scarlet letter and both remain mute until Hester can stand it no longer. Hester speaks with her husband and reminds him that she kept her promise in not revealing his identity and asks him to release the Reverend, but the Doctor feels that the man who wronged him hasn’t suffered enough and will continue to hurt him until either the truth is revealed, or the man died while Hester knows he is doing more wrong to her and by extension her child than she ever did to him. Pearl is also a most unusual character as she speaks and acts much older than she is at only seven years old.
As we approach the final section of the manga, we can feel a tension building in the background as Hester must find a way to free the Reverend from the fiend Doctor hiding in plain sight. After the Reverend returns from his travels Hester and he talk as they used to and she tells him of the evil eye watching him and they, referring to him, herself and Pearl must escape it across the ocean to which he readily agrees but something strange happens. When Hester removes her scarlet letter Pearl personality changes until she places it once more upon her breast and she doesn’t really take to the Reverend as she did previously and on top of this the child seems very intelligent, cunning and manipulative.
In the final section of the manga, Hester, Pearl and Arthur prepare to leave their sins behind and start a new life elsewhere. However, the doctor soon learns of their plan and prepares to travel on the same boat but on the day of their supposed departure Arthur gives his final sermon and then prepares to confess his sins. All the while the Roger Chillingworth tries to prevent him from speaking the truth, but he does confessing that he slept with Hester and Pearl is his daughter and seven years ago they both should have been branded with the scarlet letter A. He dies shortly after his confession and making things right with the woman he loved, and his daughter and Doctor Chillingworth follows less than a year later leaving everything he owned to Little Pearl. The most mysterious thing is that after that Hester and Pearl disappeared and everything heard about them after Arthur’s death is rumour.
In the end we return to the 19th century where Nathaniel decides to write Hester’s story and share it with the world, which was a very inspired touch. Overall, I really like the mystery and suspense in the scarlet letter but it wasn’t as gripping as I was expecting, the story is good but most of the book isn’t that exciting except for the Doctor’s arrival and Pearl strange behaviour.

Yet another amazing manga adaption! This story is so sad but brings up great points. It really makes you think and visually, this manga is stunning!

Manga Classics is such a great way for the younger generations who do not appreciate classic literature, most likely due to it being difficult to read because of the style of writing, which I, myself, is why I'm not a fan of classics. However, I find Manga Classics to be very enjoyable. I've never read The Scarlet Letter, but I really enjoyed this manga as it was not at all difficult to read. The artwork is also amazing!

I want to start by thanking NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for providing me with a free copy of this manga in exchange for an honest review.

Unlike my experience with the Manga Classic: Jane Eyre, I’ve never read The Scarlet Letter so I was reading this without knowing the storyline. The art was beautiful and amazing. It helped emphasize the emotions and auras in the story.

I found however that sometimes the way the storyline was a little hard to follow and I had to go back a few pages and reread in order to understand what was going on. Pearl and the reverend were the most confusing characters to understand and follow, at times. A bit of clarity would really help. Overall, however, I really enjoyed it

I’ve tried reading the original novel but cannot get through the first couple pages. With this adaptation, I managed to finish it in one sitting. I’m sure that it’s a summarised version of it. The manga adaptation is very well done, easy to follow. I especially like how Pearl is drawn; like an ethereal elf but at the same time a young three year old who is too curious for her own good. Will definitely recommend this to anyone who is interested in reading classics but doesn’t have the patience with the original.

I've read quite a few volumes of the series Manga Classics by now, and The Scarlet Letter was the biggest bet of all for me, sine I knew the story but hadn't (haven't) read the book yet. For this reason, it is difficult for me to judge it as the adaptation that it in fact is, but what I can say without a doubt is that I enjoyed it a lot. If I enjoy the novel half as much as I did this manga, then I'll consider that a success.

The Scarlet Letter is a tale about a woman Hester Prynne who commits the sin of Adultery and therefore is imprisoned for a short time and made to wear an embroidered 'A' on her chest for the rest of her life to remind herself and others of the shame she brought upon herself and of the sin she committed. Although Hester wears it as a statement of pride almost and won't be belittled or made to feel like she has to live a life of shame because of it.

Hester gives birth to a daughter, Pearl, and refuses to state the father's name. Pearl grows up a strange and curious child who always questions her mother on the nature of her scarlet letter.

I feel like, having not read the novel itself this manga does a good job of telling the story so that I could understand what it was about and actually makes me feel like reading the novel now. Plus the artwork of this, as a fan of manga, I particularly like.