classic literature
Manga Review: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Manga Classics: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Crystal Chan (Goodreads Author) , Kuma Chan , Jeannie Lee , Mark Twain
by Crystal Chan (Goodreads Author) , Kuma Chan , Jeannie Lee , Mark Twain
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
A wonderful adaptation of Mark Twain’s Adventure of Huckleberry Finn into manga form! I think the authors and illustrators did an excellent job of condensing the story into a small volume without losing the integrity or flavor of the story. I love how the various accents of the characters are preserved, but the dialogue is still clear and easily understood.
The artwork brings a lot of emotion into the story, and firmly connects the reader to the characters. Seeing the expressions on character’s faces as they experience joy, grief, fear, sadness, or relief, made me feel those things too as I was reading!
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Book Review: Jamaica Inn
Jamaica Inn
by Daphne du Maurier
by Daphne du Maurier
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
After her mother’s death, Mary arrives at Jamaica Inn on the coast of Cornwall to live with her Aunt Patience and the uncle she has never met. He is a man feared through all the country as rumors of smuggling and murder surround Jamaica Inn. Mary is horrified as she discovers the truth about the inn, but it’s too dangerous to go against her vicious uncle, until Mary receives help from an unexpected ally.
The writing is expressive and really paints a picture of the setting amidst the dark moors. The story is certainly striking, even though I found the plot fairly predictable.
Mary’s character has a good balance, since she’s plucky but also vulnerable. The other characters are vivid and interesting too, even the awful villains. Each person has such colorful dialogue, descriptions, and body language that they jump off the page into life! I was truly afraid of the villains, truly sorry for the pathetic Aunt Patience, and absolutely disgusted with the nasty smugglers. I could almost smell them, they were so close to life.
Excellent writing and a good tale of mystery and suspense!
Recent Reads: Classics, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade
Book Review: Candide
Candide
by Voltaire, John Everett Butt
by Voltaire, John Everett Butt
2 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Candide and his friends are thrown into horrible situations, tortured, robbed, conscripted into armies, sold as slaves, shipwrecked, beaten, thrown into prison, etc… for the entire book, all the while discussing the philosophy of optimism, the idea that all is well and good in the world, despite the evidence to the contrary.
The writing is extremely concise and lacking in any detail, so that all the characters are one-dimensional, and the plot is very sparse. Everything moves quickly from one plot point to the next, so that within a few sentences the entire situation has changed. Not much is explained either, leaving a lot of plot holes and gaps in the story. Continue reading
Manga Review: Count of Monte Cristo
Manga Classics: The Count of Monte Cristo
by Crystal S. Chan , Alexandre Dumas, Nokman Poon
by Crystal S. Chan , Alexandre Dumas, Nokman Poon
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Edmond Dantes is betrayed by a coworker who wants his job, a romantic rival who will steal his bride, and a crooked government prosecutor with a dark secret to hide. Thrown into prison for decades, Dantes eventually escapes, becomes fabulously wealthy, and vows revenge on those who ruined his life.
Count of Monte Cristo is one of my top five favorite novels of all time, so I was interested to see how one of my favorite stories would translate into manga form. Although they had to simplify the story considerably, and there are really too many characters for a stand-alone manga, I enjoyed this wonderful adaptation of a classic tale!
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More Classics and NonFiction Reviews
Book Review: Granny’s Wonderful Chair
Granny’s Wonderful Chair
by Frances Browne
by Frances Browne
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This is one of my favorite books from when I was a young girl. Fairy tales at their best!
Young Snowflower’s grandmother leaves her alone in the cottage with only an enchanted chair for company. The chair tells wonderful stories and takes Snowflower on a journey to the court of King Winwealth. Each evening Snowflower is called to the court after their feasting, and she asks her magical chair to tell the company a story. The King rewards Snowflower for each story that is told.
In each chapter a different fairytale story is told, and although they follow the classic fairytale structure, they are not common or well-known. Each one is a delight to read!
Book Review: The Blue Castle
“Valancy lives a drab life with her overbearing mother and prying aunt. Then a shocking diagnosis from Dr. Trent prompts her to make a fresh start. For the first time, she does and says exactly what she feels. As she expands her limited horizons, Valancy undergoes a transformation, discovering a new world of love and happiness.” -GoodReads Description
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
One of my top three favorite of Montgomery’s books!! And just as delightful reading it for the 4th or 5th time. Every time I read it, I find something new and lovely.
I admire Valancy so much for breaking free of her fear, and crafting a new life for herself despite the terrible opposition. I don’t think I appreciated her courage so much when I was young, but now that I’ve had my own experiences with breaking free, I get so much more from this story. She really is a remarkable character!
As always with Montgomery’s books, the writing is wholesome and fresh and beautiful. The countryside is described with light and shadow like a painter’s brush of colors and shades, so that you really feel as though your soul entered into the landscape of the story. In this book especially, the countryside is important to the story since our characters are very sensitive to the beauties of nature.
Book Review: The Story of Kullervo
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Kullervo’s uncle murders his father, and Kullervo vows to find revenge. He grows up wayward and wild and without compassion for anyone except his twin sister. With the help of the magical hound, Musti, Kullervo escapes the murderous machinations of his evil uncle. Kullervo has set his hand against the whole world, and he ruins crops, creates a wasteland in the forest, commits mass murder, and generally reeks destruction wherever he goes. His story is tragic for everyone involved.
This short story, one of Tolkien’s very early attempts at rewriting myths, includes a great deal of poetry, a tragic plot, and the delicious rich language that characterizes all of Tolkien’s works. Most of the book is commentary, essays, and notes about the story, its Finnish roots, and its influence on Tolkien’s later writing. Continue reading
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