Hardcover: ISBN 10: 1549082818 ISBN 13: 9781549082818

Manga Classics: Macbeth is a lovely adaption of the Shakespeare classic that translates the work well into a more modern take.

I was informed by the publisher that the entire play is within the book. They contacted me after my review was posted to let me know. I previously said it was translated at some spots (because it honestly did seem that way. I didn't get my copy out to verify, so that's my bad...) but it is apparently not. I've had other reviewers reach out to me and tell me they thought the same thing, so that's cool. I did find it interesting that I was contacted numerous times by different people from the publisher in a short time span about my comment though. Take from that what you will.

I think the best way to use this book is as a supplement for mandatory school readings or for introductions into Shakespeare. Nothing can quite replicate the original (or a live take on the play), but this sure makes the story easier to follow. If this would have been used as a supplement in my Grade 11 class, I think we would have found learning way more enjoyable.

The manga was a lovely addition to this story, and is probably the biggest takeaway for me. If you haven't seen the play, you can't always imagine what's going on in the story. Seeing it in picture form was a great way to show the story. Major points for that. I didn't like that some of the metaphors were illustrated exactly as they are written, but that's me as a Shakespeare lover. I understood the metaphor, I didn't need to see it to.

I received this book for free through NetGalley. ( )

Manga Classics: Macbeth by William Shakespeare keeps the original text from the play, complementing it with gorgeous manga artwork. Macbeth is one of the Bard's most famous dramas, and my personal favourite of his dramas. As much as I love both the play, and manga style artwork, this book didn't resonate with me so much. It was good, don't get me wrong. I think it just really messed my mind up to have the classic text with this quite modern artwork. However, if you're a fan of the Manga Classics series, or of Macbeth, definitely check it out!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Udon Entertainment for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )

I generally enjoy the Manga Classics line, so I was eager to see their take on Macbeth, my favorite Shakespeare play. Unfortunately, even Macbeth cannot survive the casting Jon Bon Jovi's 1980s giant hair in the lead role. I mean, that crown perched awkwardly atop the head on the cover gives new meaning to the term hair metal. Add in the giant kingly robes he wears, and Macbeth looks like a ridiculous Dalek/Bon Jovi hybrid throughout most of the book.

On top of that, the writer and artist decided to bring Shakespeare's text alive by illustrating the metaphors he uses as background images. So when Lady Macbeth mentions a serpent, a giant serpent floats around her. She says cat, and there's a cat floating behind her. So we have page after page of characters standing in front of dogs, gorgons, bears, wolves, more serpents, etc. And that's as visually interesting as things get.

Disappointing. ( )

A new approach to an old classic that breathes life into a good story. This Macbeth interpretation is a great place for younger readers to start to learn and understand some of Shakespeare's more difficult dialogue. Recommended for Manga fans, young readers, and fans of retellings for all ages.

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Full review to come! ( )