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zapkode's review
5.0
{My thoughts} – I have not read the original book that this particular Manga is based on. However, I have to say that reading this version left me with a desire to want to read more. From the very beginning of the book, with the excellent illustrations, to the text within. This books pulled me directly into the 19th century England and it gave me the feeling that I was there right along side the characters in the story as it was unfolding.
This is a wonderful story about Pip and his journey to becoming something more, something greater then he’d been born to be. It is the story about his love for Estella and how even though he wasn’t born to privilege, that he still had the opportunity to obtain it through a benefactor located in London.
I’ve not attempted to read through the original the amount of pages are rather intimidating to me. I might give it a try one day, when I have time to concentrate on the material within it’s pages. In the meantime however, I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to read this version and have a realistic understanding of the original book, without having to read through quite so many pages!
I believe that the creation of these Manga Classics is a wonderful way to help get the newer generation of readers interested in the older classics. I look forward to sharing this version of this classic with my children.
This is a wonderful story about Pip and his journey to becoming something more, something greater then he’d been born to be. It is the story about his love for Estella and how even though he wasn’t born to privilege, that he still had the opportunity to obtain it through a benefactor located in London.
I’ve not attempted to read through the original the amount of pages are rather intimidating to me. I might give it a try one day, when I have time to concentrate on the material within it’s pages. In the meantime however, I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to read this version and have a realistic understanding of the original book, without having to read through quite so many pages!
I believe that the creation of these Manga Classics is a wonderful way to help get the newer generation of readers interested in the older classics. I look forward to sharing this version of this classic with my children.
clowdywings's review
4.0
This is my first reading of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. The manga adaptation was of this book was entertaining to read. I had previously read the Manga Classics of two of Jane Austen's books, Pride and Prejudice and Emma, and had enjoyed not only the classic story but the new format.
The same was with Great Expectations. The art was unique and enjoyable and followed the story well. There were customs of the time period Great Expectation was set in that the manga did not show or follow, which was a little confusing.
The main character, Phillip Pirrip or better known as Pip, was born to humble circumstances and was raised by his sister and brother in-law. He idolized his brother in-law, wanting to be a blacksmith like him. Pip meets Estella, a girl near his age, and wants to be a gentleman instead.
The relationship between Pip and Estella was not my favorite part of the book. She was cruel to him, but it was explained away as she was taught to be this way. Still, even after the cruelty was dished out time and time again, Pip still spent time with her and eventually fell in love with her.
Pip's bad habits with spending money was also a hard part for me. I suppose it was showing that he now can buy the world, thanks to specific plot events.
I liked the new format, along with the art style. There were some plot elements that I didn't like but it was great to learn about England before or during the pre-Victorian era. I received an ARC from NetGalley for a honest review.
The same was with Great Expectations. The art was unique and enjoyable and followed the story well. There were customs of the time period Great Expectation was set in that the manga did not show or follow, which was a little confusing.
The main character, Phillip Pirrip or better known as Pip, was born to humble circumstances and was raised by his sister and brother in-law. He idolized his brother in-law, wanting to be a blacksmith like him. Pip meets Estella, a girl near his age, and wants to be a gentleman instead.
The relationship between Pip and Estella was not my favorite part of the book. She was cruel to him, but it was explained away as she was taught to be this way. Still, even after the cruelty was dished out time and time again, Pip still spent time with her and eventually fell in love with her.
Pip's bad habits with spending money was also a hard part for me. I suppose it was showing that he now can buy the world, thanks to specific plot events.
I liked the new format, along with the art style. There were some plot elements that I didn't like but it was great to learn about England before or during the pre-Victorian era. I received an ARC from NetGalley for a honest review.
labunnywtf's review
5.0
Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
I literally just finished a re-read of the original Dickens, and I still can't tell if any real artistic liberties were taken here. Why can't my brain process classics? What is wrong with me?
Nevertheless, I really and truly enjoyed this manga. I'd read the similarly done version of The Scarlet Letter and was so blown away, so I was really excited for this one. And I think this is a must-read for anyone who, like me, isn't quite intelligent enough to read, understand, and enjoy classic novels.
The artwork is so gorgeous. Estella is breath taking, and Miss Haversham is beyond intimidating and actually kind of scary in some parts. The language and storyline flow so smoothly, it doesn't feel like you even need to have read the original. Kids needing to do book reports, maybe take note?
There are a few more of these Manga Classics out there, and I really want to get on the ball and read those originals so I can enjoy the Mangas, as well. Maybe I'll read the manga versions first, actually.
I literally just finished a re-read of the original Dickens, and I still can't tell if any real artistic liberties were taken here. Why can't my brain process classics? What is wrong with me?
Nevertheless, I really and truly enjoyed this manga. I'd read the similarly done version of The Scarlet Letter and was so blown away, so I was really excited for this one. And I think this is a must-read for anyone who, like me, isn't quite intelligent enough to read, understand, and enjoy classic novels.
The artwork is so gorgeous. Estella is breath taking, and Miss Haversham is beyond intimidating and actually kind of scary in some parts. The language and storyline flow so smoothly, it doesn't feel like you even need to have read the original. Kids needing to do book reports, maybe take note?
There are a few more of these Manga Classics out there, and I really want to get on the ball and read those originals so I can enjoy the Mangas, as well. Maybe I'll read the manga versions first, actually.
geekwayne's review
5.0
Manga Classics continues to put out great content with their adaptation of Great Expectations. This is a great adaptation with great art.
Young Pip helps an escaped prisoner near his home, and the act has the kind of repercussions he can't imagine. He lives with his sister and her blacksmith husband Joe. He his days visiting creepy Miss Haversham's house to play with the beautiful but distant Estella. When he gets older, he finds himself with an anonymous benefactor out to make him a gentleman. Pip finds himself on a new course in life, and he finds he has no time for those he's left behind. He's convinced his benefactor must be the strange Miss Haversham, and that she must be grooming him for Estella, but could he be wrong?
It's a pretty faithful adaptation of the story. I loved the art by Nokman Poon, especially the scenes of Miss Haversham's moldering house. The details of her rotting wedding dress and the cobwebbed feast are memorable indeed. The characters are all drawn unique enough to keep track of them, and it's a pretty big cast this time around. Crystal Chan's Japanese translation is translated back by Stacy King. The ending is a kind of compromise between the two known endings of the story, and that is discussed in an afterword. There is also some information about the artist and his character sketches. I can't say enough about how great this series really is.
I received a review copy of this manga from UDON Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this great manga.
Young Pip helps an escaped prisoner near his home, and the act has the kind of repercussions he can't imagine. He lives with his sister and her blacksmith husband Joe. He his days visiting creepy Miss Haversham's house to play with the beautiful but distant Estella. When he gets older, he finds himself with an anonymous benefactor out to make him a gentleman. Pip finds himself on a new course in life, and he finds he has no time for those he's left behind. He's convinced his benefactor must be the strange Miss Haversham, and that she must be grooming him for Estella, but could he be wrong?
It's a pretty faithful adaptation of the story. I loved the art by Nokman Poon, especially the scenes of Miss Haversham's moldering house. The details of her rotting wedding dress and the cobwebbed feast are memorable indeed. The characters are all drawn unique enough to keep track of them, and it's a pretty big cast this time around. Crystal Chan's Japanese translation is translated back by Stacy King. The ending is a kind of compromise between the two known endings of the story, and that is discussed in an afterword. There is also some information about the artist and his character sketches. I can't say enough about how great this series really is.
I received a review copy of this manga from UDON Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this great manga.
caroline_2605's review
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nikki_b's review
3.0
Remember using CliffNotes or SparkNotes in high school? Sometimes for books you hadn't read? (I know I wasn't the only one. Sorry, The Iliad.)
Imagining what my book report would have looked like if I had used this adaptation as my source for Great Expectations (I did read that one, though) is kinda hilarious. This manga is entertaining and a good way to review the novel in a quickly digestible format, but only if you have some idea of the plot beforehand.
It's been about twelve years since I read GE so I only have brief impressions left of it now. I know that the plot is cray... Miss Havisham wears an old wedding dress... and Pip is in love with Estella for God knows why. According to the manga, I remembered it correctly. But it also helped me to remember other important plot points - so, hey, success!
The story is all over the place, but so is the source, so I commend Stacy King for keeping all of the storylines together.
Like with Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice, I enjoyed the art for the most part. It's not particularly memorable... In fact, the only parts I remember are the not-so-great panels combined with awkward writing. Miss Havisham looked a little too similar to a Sailor Moon villain at times.
Manga Classics: Great Expectations is a good review and teaching tool, especially when trying to make the classics accessible to different audiences.
This book was received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Imagining what my book report would have looked like if I had used this adaptation as my source for Great Expectations (I did read that one, though) is kinda hilarious. This manga is entertaining and a good way to review the novel in a quickly digestible format, but only if you have some idea of the plot beforehand.
It's been about twelve years since I read GE so I only have brief impressions left of it now. I know that the plot is cray... Miss Havisham wears an old wedding dress... and Pip is in love with Estella for God knows why. According to the manga, I remembered it correctly. But it also helped me to remember other important plot points - so, hey, success!
The story is all over the place, but so is the source, so I commend Stacy King for keeping all of the storylines together.
Like with Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice, I enjoyed the art for the most part. It's not particularly memorable... In fact, the only parts I remember are the not-so-great panels combined with awkward writing. Miss Havisham looked a little too similar to a Sailor Moon villain at times.
Manga Classics: Great Expectations is a good review and teaching tool, especially when trying to make the classics accessible to different audiences.
This book was received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
bmpicc's review
2.0
DONE! Finally!
"I'll listen to the audiobook while we drive to Georgia." - failed. The... narrator... was... so... boring... "I'll read the book." - failed. I reread the same paragraph approximately 8 times.
"I'll read the young readers version. - failed. I read a whole chapter and don't recall anything except the name Pip.
I finally settled on the graphic novel and I made it all the way through. I know there is a lot missing from this, but at least I can be part of the discussion now. I was surprised by a few plot twists & I appreciated what I perceived as the moral of the story. Wealth does not fix problems or make life "great". Loyalty, honesty, love... those are where our true wealth lies.
"I'll listen to the audiobook while we drive to Georgia." - failed. The... narrator... was... so... boring... "I'll read the book." - failed. I reread the same paragraph approximately 8 times.
"I'll read the young readers version. - failed. I read a whole chapter and don't recall anything except the name Pip.
I finally settled on the graphic novel and I made it all the way through. I know there is a lot missing from this, but at least I can be part of the discussion now. I was surprised by a few plot twists & I appreciated what I perceived as the moral of the story. Wealth does not fix problems or make life "great". Loyalty, honesty, love... those are where our true wealth lies.
adelavmb's review
5.0
http://vanillamoonbooks.blogspot.ro/2015/09/review-manga-classics-great-expectations.html
Having read all previous titles in the Manga Classics collection, I've decided to dive yet again into a new classic brought to life in manga form. It seems to have become a tradition now to end up wanting to read the original work after falling in love with the graphic novel, as it was the case with Great Expectations, this time beautifully illustrated by Nokman Poon.
Unfamiliar with the plot of Great Expectations, I found it to be a very interesting story that I would love to learn more about. According to the note at the end, the manga adaptation doesn't stray from the original work of Charles Dickens, but only leaves secondary plots aside so as to fit perfectly in the format of around 300 pages Manga Classics has used us with.
The story follows Pip, a young boy who helps a prisoner with some food, an act which ends up changing his life in ways he would have never imagined. Pip, who lives with his sister and her husband, after visiting Miss Havisham and her adopted daughter several times, dreams of a better life for himself, one as an educated gentleman which is later granted to him by a mysterious benefactor whom he believes is Miss Havisham herself. As he gets accustomed to his new life, he completely changes himself, no longer feeling comfortable around his old friends and acquaintances who remind him of his old lifestyle.
As for the artwork, while the artist is a different one from the other Manga Classics titles, his style is very pleasant to the eye, and the characters are drawn uniquely enough so the reader won't get confused and follow the story easily.
Like always, I recommend all Manga Classics titles, either as an alternative to a chunky book, or as a way to remember a classic you already read and loved. People reading a manga adaptation of a classic they haven't tried before might be surprised to realize they will end up picking the original work soon after reading the manga. They're that good.
Having read all previous titles in the Manga Classics collection, I've decided to dive yet again into a new classic brought to life in manga form. It seems to have become a tradition now to end up wanting to read the original work after falling in love with the graphic novel, as it was the case with Great Expectations, this time beautifully illustrated by Nokman Poon.
Unfamiliar with the plot of Great Expectations, I found it to be a very interesting story that I would love to learn more about. According to the note at the end, the manga adaptation doesn't stray from the original work of Charles Dickens, but only leaves secondary plots aside so as to fit perfectly in the format of around 300 pages Manga Classics has used us with.
The story follows Pip, a young boy who helps a prisoner with some food, an act which ends up changing his life in ways he would have never imagined. Pip, who lives with his sister and her husband, after visiting Miss Havisham and her adopted daughter several times, dreams of a better life for himself, one as an educated gentleman which is later granted to him by a mysterious benefactor whom he believes is Miss Havisham herself. As he gets accustomed to his new life, he completely changes himself, no longer feeling comfortable around his old friends and acquaintances who remind him of his old lifestyle.
As for the artwork, while the artist is a different one from the other Manga Classics titles, his style is very pleasant to the eye, and the characters are drawn uniquely enough so the reader won't get confused and follow the story easily.
Like always, I recommend all Manga Classics titles, either as an alternative to a chunky book, or as a way to remember a classic you already read and loved. People reading a manga adaptation of a classic they haven't tried before might be surprised to realize they will end up picking the original work soon after reading the manga. They're that good.
kice7788's review against another edition
2.0
I love being able to read the classics in this form! I love reading but sometimes it hard for me to read the old English. This makes them so much easier to read and actually know the classics! I had heard about this of course but never really knew it. After reading this graphic novel I have learned that I do not really like this story. It just seemed choppy and the author had ideas but didn’t know how to put them together and just decided to one night. I saw deeper meanings but the craziness of the story covered them up. All in all it was ok but I’m okay to not want to look into it more.
susani_'s review
3.0
I obtained a free copy via Netgalley for a true and honest review!
I found this such fun read! I don't really read magna comics but I really enjoyed this.
I found this such fun read! I don't really read magna comics but I really enjoyed this.