SparkNotes

Book Review
Book Title: Hamlet
Book Author: William Shakespeare
Adapter/Illustrator: Neil Babra

Introduction: I love Shakespeare, and Hamlet has always been my favourite of all of his plays and sonnets so when I saw this little manga on sale at a location book shop I had to pick it up and read it. I read it about 3 years ago, but I finally found it again on my bookshelf and decided to read it again and review it.

Review:

This adaption is truly an adaption - it's not identical to the original, but it's great for younger readers wanting to get into Shakespeare. The typical Shakespeare form is not used, but that makes it easier for read for those not fluent in his verses.

This task of adapting the famous Hamlet into a shorter, simpler work would have been hard but Neil Babra makes it look so easy. The story is shortened into a perfect, young reader-friendly adaption. The famous lines are still in there, but they are so much easier to understand and read. The book is not dumbed down by any means, so readers do not have to worry - this book is a timeless, incredible adaption that should definitely be introduced to young readers.

The artwork is fantastic and matches perfectly with the story. The wordplay that Shakespeare uses is often seen within the pages of this book in illustrated form, which can make any true Shakespeare fan get a true chuckle out of this work.

Overall, this book was fantastic. The facial expressions, the artwork, the rewording, and the narrative are all fantastic.

Five out of five stars.… (más)

The "No Fear Shakespeare" editions are, in my opinion, the only way to go if you're a little hazy on all that Elizabethan language. Each left-side page contains the original text, and each right-side page contains a modern translation along with the occasional helpful note. It was MUCH easier than trying to struggle through the syntax alone.

I've discovered that it's hard to say whether one really enjoys a Shakespeare play or not until one has seen it WELL acted. Reading the lines, even aloud, is okay, but it's the staging, and the pausing, and all the stuff that goes into a production, that make it really come alive. If I get the chance, I would watch this performed. Just reading it, I would say I liked it well enough and it certainly had some immortal quotes in it. I think "Much Ado About Nothing" will probably remain my favorite, though!… (más)