Manga Classics: Les Miserables

author: Stacy King

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.12

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/09/09

date added: 2014/09/09

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Manga Classics: Les Miserables' does such a great job adapting the book that it might replace Cliff Notes for lazy students. It's a better adaptation than many of the books, movies and musicals.



It's a classic story that starts with a man stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family. He is sentenced to a cruel prison term, then learns about mercy. The story balances between justice and mercy with the main character, Jean Valjean, and the policeman, Javert, who pursues him throughout his life. There are so many memorable characters, and the thing this manga version gets more right than most versions is how interconnected all the characters are. This is important because it shows that saving a man's life might benefit you when you need help.



It's all here: the silver candlesticks, Fantine, the barricades, the overturned cart, the flight through the sewers, Gavroche and Eponine, and it's done very well. The story starts with Fantine, then travels back to Jean Valjean's story. It felt a little strange to me to have chapters and focus on Fantine, but the story is still the same. There is a good epilogue written by Stacy King on the struggles of adapting a classic like this. Art by Tszmei Lee is very much in a manga style but doesn't detract from the story. A unique and interesting way to tell a classic story.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1pNJvjC