KIRKUS -- One of Shakespeare's more tragic plays is the subject of a graphic adaptation. As with the rest of the Manga Classics series, Chan has here kept the full script of Hamlet intact and, in collaboration with illustrator Choy, made this piece come alive. For readers who cannot make it to the theater to see Hamlet performed and for those who struggle to read the original, in particular, this is an accessible and appealing alternative. The visuals offer insights into the play, for example in the way that a character's duplicity is shown with two versions of their face, each with different expressions, making concrete what is being discussed in the dialogue. Subtle visual clues such as the wearing (or not) of shoes encourage readers to speculate as to Hamlet's and Ophelia's sanity. In bringing to the page Hamlet's famous "To be or not to be" monologue, Chan's background research informs Choy's black-and-white line drawings, which show the variety of emotions and layers of meaning expressed. Backmatter includes a character design sketchbook and notes from the adapter and illustrator that take readers behind the scenes of this graphic-novel version. The manga-style art will appeal to teen readers familiar with that genre. All characters read as white.Does justice to a theatrical classic.
KISS THE BOOK BLOGSPOT -- Hamlet is appalled by how quickly everyone moves on from his father's, the king's, death -- even his mother is remarrying when she should be in mourning. Then Hamlet sees his father's ghost and learns that he was murdered. The need for vengeance consumes Hamlet, and nothing will stand in his way. The visuals in this graphic novel adaptation are beautiful, as per the standard I have seen with Manga Classics, and they helped convey how dramatic the characters are. I love the clarity granted to the reader from the illustrations that accompany Shakespeare's words, though I found that this classic is more difficult to understand than other adapted classics, needing other supplements to help me interpret what happens in certain scenes. The mature content rating is for innuendo and mentions of prostitution; the violence rating is for blood, murder, and suicide.
SAN FRANCISCO BOOK REVIEW -- Manga Classics: Hamlet contains the complete, unabridged text from the original play. Hamlet is a story of revenge, and of how Hamlet goes to great length to seek vengeance for his father's death, even at great cost. Truthfully, I have never been a fan of Shakespeare's plays, mostly because I had a difficult time reading them in high school. However, I was excited to read Hamlet in a graphic novel format. Having all the illustrations definitely made reading Shakespeare so much more enjoyable and easier to understand. Visually, the graphics are true to manga style with chibi females and handsome males. Prince Hamlet looks like a brooding Prince Darien from Sailor Moon. I didn't know there are Manga Classics in some popular classic literature like Pride and Prejudice. English class would have been a lot more enjoyable had these books been around when I was in high school. I think Manga Classics can really help some readers understand and appreciate classic literature more. I highly recommend the Manga Classic series to manga fans, classic literature fans, and especially to readers who struggle with older stories.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL -- Gr 7 Up-Chan and Choy's latest manga adaptation is a dramatic, striking version of Shakespeare's tale of murder and madness. Prince Hamlet's late father, the king of Denmark, was murdered by his brother Claudius, who then married the queen and took the throne. After discovering the truth, Hamlet hatches a plan to expose his usurping uncle. He feigns madness, stages a play to induce Claudius to confess, and competes in a duel that ends in four deaths, including his own. The expressive artwork conveys the fear, resentment, and madness that are central to this play. Hamlet's emo-kid styling and devastating glares make his disaffection and disdain all the more palpable. Chan and Choy visualize Shakespeare's metaphors by depicting animals roaring and slithering through scenes. They don't shy away from the violence of the play; there are blood splatters galore, and Hamlet's father's death by poisoning is particularly grisly. The book concludes with information from Chan about her research on Danish castles. Udon offers teacher guides with lesson plans for its adaptations, which teachers using the book will find helpful.
VERDICT This vividly violent tale will appeal to ambitious manga readers and can serve as supplemental material for the study of Hamlet.
YOUTH SERVICES BOOK REVIEW -- What did you like about the book? This manga adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy uses the full original text. The dark story of murder, suicide and angst comes to vivid life through the detailed illustrations. The book includes informative pages on Adapting Hamlet that discuss how the text and art relate to the classic in topics such as "echoing feelings with action," and "the visual expression of storytelling." Also included is a Character Design Sketchbook. Readers, especially those who enjoy manga, will find the classic more relatable in his adaptation.
