Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I am a huge fan of both the book and the musical of Les Miserables, so I was excited to see that a manga was made to introduce the story to a new demographic of readers. This format makes the information easier to digest, making it a great way of introducing classics to people who may find reading the original books quite daunting. I loved this book, I will definitely be getting a physical copy for my own bookshelves.

I have loved the musical adaptation of Les Miserables for so long that it was such a treat to be able to read the manga adaption. I think this adaptation can provide a way for readers to be introduced to the story without having to read such a long book. I think the adapter made the story very digestible for readers that were not familiar with the story prior to reading the manga. The artwork was gorgeous, SunNeko Lee is an amazing illustrator. I will say that this version of the book was a little hard to read on the NetGalley app at some points but I’m sure the images and dialogue are a lot more clear on the physical format of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

Great manga with lovely illustrations. This is a fantastic book to help reluctant readers conquer classics or for avoid readers to see classics in a new fun light.

Super schönes Artwork, hat mich sehr begeistert. Dazu wurde die Geschichte echt gut erzählt, sodass man selbst ohne Vorkenntnisse und trotz der nötigen Kürzungen der Handlung folgen kann. Klasse character design, man fiebert mit den Charakteren mit und trauert mit ihnen oder um sie. Eine tolle Idee, stark umgesetzt!

This Manga adaption of Hugo's Les Miserables does not disappoint. It follows the main storyline without the side characters and detailed writing from the original. This beautifully illustrated manga brings to life the scenes from the storyline. This is a good way to introduce your teen to classics and will encourage them to read the original. My heart goes out to Fantine and Cosette because of all the heartache and cruelty they had to endure. This also brings to life Jean Valjean's change in character. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who wants a gentle introduction to the classics.

The story of Les Miserables is long with many characters. No matter what format I try to read this story i have problems keeping plot and people straight. The art was beautiful.

I have never read les miserables or seen the movie so i was excited to see this as a manga and to be able to experience reading a classic in a format that I enjoy. This is the point of these adaptations and it did its job well. I am not able to comment on its relation to the original works since i haven’t seen/read them but i liked this story where these characters were interconnected in life across the years. The art work is cute at some points it feels very pokemon esk in style but works for this period piece. Perfect for someone who wants to know a classic but doesn’t want to read outdated prose. Would love to see more classics done like these.

CW: death, abuse, poverty, revolution, guns, su!cide,

Les Miserables is one of my all-time favourite books. It's dense and it's dark and it's tragic, and yet there is hope in amongst the darkness.

Manga Classics: Les Miserables is an ambitious retelling of the classic French novel, in classic Manga style. I'm not generally a fan of manga and this art style, but this was done very well. The grim realities of this story - so much death and poverty and abuse - are portrayed on the page and highlighting more starkly the divide between the "haves" and the "have nots", and the themes of justice that run through the tale. And yet while the grim realities are there, the horror of Fantine's fall from grace is tastefully done, keeping things implied.

The artist effortlessly drawing emotion from the reader. I know the tale well and yet I still shed a tear for Fantine, Gavroche, Eponine and, ultimately, Valjean. Gavroche's song (which is different to the version in the musical) - oof. Right in the feels.

If I had a criticism of the book, I found the pacing and flashbacks to be somewhat jarring. I would have liked to have seen more on the page of the ABC society - who they are what they are fighting for. As someone with a solid understanding of the story, I know this already, but for someone new to the tale, these characters and insurgency are presented with little introduction after the bulk of the book covers Fantine and Valjean's lives.

Overall, a good read, and a different take on the classic story.

~ Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

I did like the art, but the story itself made no sense and I already know the story,
I wish it didnt jump all over the place like it did.

The art for this was what drew me in. This was a great way to read a classic that may have been a little harder to do in novel form. This is a true classic and many people shy away from due to it being a little bit of a "harder read" I've read the novel and seen the play. However, this was by far my favorite way to immerse myself in the story. Manga classics will be come even bigger as the new generation discovers them. My soon to be 11 year old was begging to read this and found her self really enthralled with the characters in a way i don't think she would have gotten reading in a novel format. I cant wait to see more classics done in manga.

Beautiful art, beautiful and sad story.
I remember when I first learned this story I was very young and became very sad afterwards.
I hope that more Manga Classics come out in the future.

Very digestible format. The art work is beautiful. The story heart wrenching. Though it is still vary poignant social commentary for our day. I rather enjoyed the story over all.

Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter. I love these Manga Classics. Really hope they are going to do more of them. This was another great addition to the Manga Classics. I love Les Miserables and this was a great version of the story
Loved the story and the drawings

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Manga Classics: Les Misérables breathes new life into Victor Hugo’s epic tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption, masterfully adapted by Crystal S. Chan and illustrated by SunNeko Lee. This manga adaptation captures the essence of Hugo’s narrative while making it accessible and engaging for a modern audience.

The story follows the lives of several characters, most notably Jean Valjean, an ex-convict seeking redemption, and Inspector Javert, who is relentless in his pursuit of Valjean. The manga format, with its expressive and detailed artwork, brings a new dimension to these characters and their struggles. The illustrations vividly depict the grim realities of 19th-century France, from the squalor of the Parisian underworld to the grandeur of the barricades during the June Rebellion.

One of the standout aspects of this adaptation is how it condenses Hugo’s sprawling narrative without losing its emotional impact. The manga focuses on key moments and relationships, such as Valjean’s transformation, Fantine’s tragic downfall, and the love story between Marius and Cosette. The visual storytelling enhances these elements, making the characters’ emotions and the story’s dramatic turns more immediate and powerful.

The artwork by SunNeko Lee is both beautiful and evocative, capturing the intensity of the characters’ experiences. The use of light and shadow, along with the detailed backgrounds, adds depth to the scenes, making the historical setting come alive. The character designs are also noteworthy, with each character’s appearance reflecting their personality and journey.

For readers new to Les Misérables, this manga serves as an excellent introduction, providing a comprehensive yet concise version of the story. For those familiar with Hugo’s work, it offers a fresh perspective and a visually stunning way to revisit the classic. The adaptation remains faithful to the original while making the complex narrative more approachable.

Overall, Manga Classics: Les Misérables is a remarkable adaptation that honors Victor Hugo’s masterpiece. It is a must-read for fans of classic literature and manga enthusiasts alike, offering a unique and immersive experience of this timeless story.

I think this is the first time I have truly enjoyed the story of Les Miserables. I watched the movie when it came out and I don’t think I ever really understood the story until I read this. It is the tragedy of being a husband less mother in a time where that left you penniless and destitute. It’s a mother’s love for her child and her willingness to do anything for them.

I love how the writing and the artwork work together to tell this story and I feel it wasn’t an uncommon one of the time. I think that it was probably very important to the ideas of today that Victor wrote this story and shed light on the tragedy of that mindset. Fantine is a good mother even if life took her on a path that led her to the poor treatment she receives in her life.

This story is a tragedy but with a bittersweet ending and I very much enjoyed it. If you have trouble getting into Les Mis, but enjoy manga I very much recommend this adaption. I feel that it serves its purpose perfectly.

Good read, this was fun but nothing crazy I'm still mulling over my rating but I'd say it'll be between a 3-4 star check my goodreads or storygraph for my final rating😁🫶🏻

I love this idea! I love a lot of classic books but some of them can make you feel bogged down or disinterested so I love the idea of having them in manga/graphic novel form! I will say you do miss out on the more in depth pieces of the story but I feel that's to be expected and this should be viewed as more of a summary of the book with some beautiful art

Les Misérables is a classic story brought beautifully to life in this manga format. The manga condenses Hugo’s formidable novel into a short digestible story. It remains fairly faithful to the original source material given the format, though it focuses most heavily on Cosette and Marius’s love story rather than on Jean Valjean. The manga adaptation has done its job perfectly in creating a new, more accessible, version of this timeless classic.

This book offers a visually engaging rendition of the timeless tale of redemption and social justice. This manga adaptation successfully captures the essence of Hugo's intricate narrative through dynamic illustrations and a streamlined storyline that makes the classic more accessible. The art style complements the emotional depth of the characters, from the brooding Jean Valjean to the determined Inspector Javert. While it condenses some of the original's complexity, it remains faithful to the spirit of the novel, making it an excellent introduction to Hugo's masterpiece for both manga enthusiasts and classic literature lovers.

Les Misérables gets a manga makeover, and it’s surprisingly faithful to the original novel.

Pros:
Character Designs: SunNeko Lee’s art captures the essence of each character. Valjean and Javert are realistic, while the Thénardiers are delightful caricatures.
Expanded Story: Crystal Silvermoon dives deeper into Fantine, Marius, and Cosette’s lives, making them more than mere side notes.

Cons:
Choppy Transitions: The right-to-left format occasionally confuses readers, disrupting the flow.
Simplicity Sacrifice: While streamlined, some complexity is lost, leaving room for improvement.