Pride & Prejudice

Manga Classics

by Stacy King (Adaptor), Po Tse (Illustrator)

Beloved by millions the world over, Pride & Prejudice is delightfully transformed in this bold new manga adaptation. All of the joy, heartache, and romance of Jane Austen's original, perfectly illuminated by the sumptuous art of manga-ka Po Tse, and faithfully adapted by Stacy E. King.

Genres: Manga, Classics, Romance, Graphic Novels, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Comics

377 pages, Paperback

First published August 26, 2014

About the author

Hi there! I'm a Toronto-based writer and editor who works in both prose and graphic novel formats, usually for younger readers.

My current projects include:

Dungeons and Dragons Young Adventurer's Guides - introducing new players to the classic role-playing game through amazing new artwork and streamlined prose.

Manga Classics - faithful adaptations of western literary classics with Japanese-style artwork.

Beyond writing, my interests include historical costuming, comics, manga, young adult fiction, magic realism, chocolate, and the oxford comma.

Reviews

[Aneela ♒the_mystique_reader♒ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read!

A classic tale adorned with beautiful artwork!

I absolutely loved this Manga Classic. The storytelling was good. The characters' faces showed really good expressions. I could see when they were happy, sad or angry. Jane and Darcy were drawn beautifully. It was good seeing these characters in 2D.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Maria Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha encantado releer esta novela, convertida en manga. Pero como la auténtica❤❤❤

[Alex ☣ Deranged KittyCat ☣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I'm a Jane Austen fan. I like the original stories, I like the retellings, so I couldn't miss with the manga.



The art is beautiful, as with most manga, but Elizabeth's hair was a bit too puffy. I'm biased because of all the Pride & Prejudice movie adaptations I've seen so far.



So, do you like Jane Austen and manga? If the answer is yes, you should give this one a try.

*Copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was way too extra. Darcy does not BLUSH. And Elizabeth wouldn't cry all the time. 🙄

[Patry Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha encantado leer esta preciosa historia en forma de manga... en general fue una muy buena adaptación añadiendo ciertos momentos cómicos para hacerlo aun mejor :D

Foto-reseña -> http://thewordsofbooks.blogspot.com.e...

[Shai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I confess that I still haven't read the novel Pride and Prejudice, but I've already watched the movie version of it. Just like the other classic books, Pride and Prejudice is quite long to read and I must devote a lot of time to be able to finish it.

But thanks to this graphic novel because I felt like that I was able to read the novel through this. Thank you Udon Entertainment for making it possible to published a graphic novel of this classic.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My very first manga!!! ...and if I've gotta start somewhere, why not start with one of my favorite classics ♥

While Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice isn't a word-for-word adaptation of the original, it's close enough and the art keeps the visual senses stimulated while devouring an interesting re-telling. I can't say with certainty that I'm officially a manga fan but I can say I'm happy to have experienced this type of reading experience and even happier it was based on a courtship that will be cherished until the end of time. Check it out.

Thank you to the following for permitting me access to an advance reader's copy (ARC) of Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice. This generosity did not impact my honesty when rating/reviewing.
Source: NetGalley
Authors: Jane Austen, Po Tse, Stacy King
Publisher: UDON Entertainment
Pub Date: 17 Sep 2014

[Simona B]

*I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

These illustrations are absolutely lovely. I love how they manage to convey at the same time both an idea of refinement and a delicious, smart humour. If Austen's chiselled, brisk, lively writing style could be turned into drawings, it would be impossible to do a better job than Po Tse's. And Mr Collins is simply priceless, his looks made me laugh so much my eyes watered.
Super recommended (from a huge fan of the novel).

[Miniikaty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

RESEÑA COMPLETA: https://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com...

Este tomo es una adaptación del clásico de Jane Austen realizado por Stacy King, los diálogos y la trama son los mismos que en la novela, cogiendo lo más imprescindible para que no cambiar nada de la historia y lo ha hecho muy bien, se palpa la esencia de la historia desde que lo abres. El dibujo corre a cuenta de Po Tse, utilizando unos diseños elegantes, con un aire "antiguo" que le da más realismo y realza/complementa la parte narrativa. Cada escena está llena de detalles, las vestimentas perfectamente plasmadas y las expresiones de los personajes son geniales pues las exagera en ocasiones y son muy dinámicas, lo que le da ese toque de manga que consigue que sea un tomo único.

[Kimberly Carrington-Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

4'5 estrellitas. Con lo que adoro Orgullo y prejuicio muy mal tenía que haber estado este cómic para que no me gustara. En general la obra está bastante bien adaptada, aunque se toman unas cuantas licencias resumiendo. Tiene todo lo que adoro de la obra original y un poquito más, ya que tiene viñetas realmente cómicas que me han sacado la carcajada. Y el dibujo (en blanco y negro) es precioso, muy a lo Candy Candy. Darcy es un chulazo con cara de ajo, muy fan! XD
[Ojo, es un manga, por lo que se lee en sentido contrario]
Para mí ha sido una delicia que he devorado y que pienso releer unas cuantas veces más.

[kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read, although definitely both simplified certain parts of the plot (and also dramatised it in a hilariously cringe worthy way at times!) It was nice to read this as a whole from start to finish in such a short period time, after having read Pride and Prejudice for so long. It was a fun, easy way to follow and understand the basis of the story. It was also my first ever manga, which was such a fun experience and definitely something I'll have to look into reading more of!

[Sheziss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot count the number of times I have watched Pride and Prejudice (Keira Knightley's version, of course). It was one of those movies that used to arise comments of the kind: "Oh no, not that again!".



I loved the movie so much I tried to read the book.

I barely read 30 pages until I gave up.

Still, a graphic novel is a different matter. So, why not?





The style is amazing, so beautiful. Each curl of Elizabeth, each sparkle, each hint of infatuation and love, for us to see. Only for that, the book was worth it. But the story made it even better. A story that is not new, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

Highly recommended.

*****

***Copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.***

[Niyura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ha estado bien, sin más. Podría haber estado mejor si no hubiesen representado la obra de forma cómica.

[Cee (The Mistress Case) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Take your pick. You either like the manga or you didn’t.

I’m on the dislike side.

I believe this is a parody of Pride and Prejudice more than it is an adaption. There are a few parts which are funny and others which are annoying. I found myself wincing more times than I can count because of the exaggeration and inaccuracies.

Did I enjoy the manga at the very least? Can’t say that I did.

1) Elizabeth has no class. The manga portrays a petty, juvenile, and melodramatic heroine.

2) I don’t find the drawings attractive. They were pretty at first sight. Then after a while, the drawing lost its appeal.

3) Mrs. Collins reminds me too much of my mother. I can’t. I just can’t.



ARC via Netgalley

[Booknut 101 · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You are not the last man I could ever marry, but the only one. Indeed, I am ashamed of what I said then, for I was more wrong than I have ever been in all my life."

"Then do me the honour of becoming my wife!"

Experience the classic Austen tale like never before!

I am a devoted Pride and Prejudice fan. I also love reading manga any chance I get. So when I discovered that someone has combined the two, I was over the moon with happiness.

How could it get any better than this?!

Manga Classics has created a fun and engaging adaption of Austen's novel.

**Check out the full version of the review (with added images from the graphic novel!) over on 21st Century Once Upon A Times.**

[Diamond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted on my blog (with graphics) @ Diamond’s Reads

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I remember voting on the Goodread’s Choices Awards last year for the Best Graphic Novel/Manga category. I remember being somewhat shocked that a classic won! I vowed to read some of the books that made the list (and won said categories) and I’m happy to say that I am really glad I made that decision. :tup

I usually read several graphic novels at once *hides in fear of judgement* ..lol just kidding. But seriously though, there is usually two that I am starting while I take breathers from my books on certain days (its a system, okay?)

So when I started Pride and Prejudice, I was a bit taken aback by how I reacted. I mean, let’s be honest, I love my graphic novel retellings of classics/YA/whatever. I am a huge fan of a retelling done right in this format. But, I have to mention, I’m not a huge manga nut. I just never got into the experience of it like I did with graphic novels. The thing that always seemed to bug me was the lack of color. *shrugs* I just couldn’t connect as well with the story.



THAT HAS ALL CHANGED, MY FRIENDS.

I went from feeling “meh” about manga (meh with an overwhelming respect for it, and love…from afar) —to that lightbulb moment where I was finally like I GET IT. I GET THIS MEDIUM. And man, that felt great! I really got lost in the story of Darcy…and Elizabeth and Jane and Mr. Bindley. I actually forgot that it wasn’t in color can you believe that especially color-obsessed-me!

I think that anytime a story transports you to that zone where you “forget” things like whether you are looking at color or black and white, or when was the last time you ate? haha those are the best reads! I am very happy to say that this manga classic version of Pride and Prejudice did the classic novel justice. More than that, it introduced me to a new medium that I was afraid I would never really love— manga! So onto more manga with renewed vigor (let’s just forget those other manga I tried to read and didn’t love that much, it happens!)

I definitely recommend this to lovers of Jane Austen. It is a super fast read! I read it in 24 hours! That is huge for me, especially this past year! haha

I also recommend it to those who, like me, may not be completely on the ‘manga train’ and especially if they love this story they it’s the perfect time to try out the medium! You never know!

And to finish up this review I of course have to add some images from the book *taken from google* so you can see a bit about what I am talking about!
Note: I’m not sure whether these images are from the published version or not, because I got them off google and because I read the eARC I am not sure if they altered anything in the final version so yeah.

[♛ Garima ♛ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is no secret that 'Pride & Prejudice' is one of my old time favorites so once I saw adapted Manga in netgalley, I cannot not request it and I'm glad I've been accepted.

The cover and art is gorgeous!



Even black & white images as well -



I wish I can keep this book forever but as all comics, it is on lease and would be only available for 50 days...I'll cherish as long as I can then!

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primer manga que leo, me ha encantado!!

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure how I feel about this one...or the fact that I read the whole thing. Not bad outright but not really good?

[Johanna Lehto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I admit might come a bit too harsh towards this manga. I was going to give this a 2.5 stars, beause it wasn't really my cup of tea. However, the ending was quite good and ended this all an on a amazing note.

Starting with a postive thing: I really love the art style! The story was still as immersive and interesting to follow. And honestly, in itself not a bad job for a manga re-telling of a beloved classic.

Now then, the pacing of the story wasn't the greatest. It felt very rushed and you didn't have a chance to get to know the characters and their relations with each other. If one would start with this, hasn't read the Jane Austen's novel or for some reason don't know anything about the story, they would be totally lost! However, this is a manga and there is more of a limit on how much pages to use. I understand they can't go into so much details. So, I understand that part and accept it for what it is.

However, rhe biggest pet peeve of all, the character. I sadly must say that they totally changed a lot of characters personalities distracted me. May I even say ruined it for me.

To start with my biggest shock it would be Mr. Collins. Whatever happened to his sirous deminor and talk of Lady Catherine is beyond me. And how "love-strucked" he seemed to me. It really put me off, not at all resembling even the Mr. Collins we know in the novel.

Then the main characters; There where times I laughed nervously and said out loud "What on earth have they done to Mr. Darcy?!" He felt in a way so melo dramatic in this re-telling. Not mention how whiny and flustered he was throughout the manga! And don't get me started with that first proposal. That panel made me cringe. Everything made him seem down right creepy in that scene.

And Lizzie...Oh...how they changed Lizzie so much! I mean, she was more flusterred and had a odd temper instead of her wittiness that makes her a very strong and amazing main female lead to follow!

Honestly, in my opinion, Mrs. Bennett was the only character given full jutice. Her character design was spot on. Even her personality fitted perfectly in this manga! Never though I would say this, but I enjoyed every moment Mrs. Bennett was showed in this story!

In the end, good art and interesting read. However, it sadly wasn't the best re-telling I read. Would recommend giving it a try. Since it had its good and funny moments as well!

[Kuroi · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I heard we were doing catch-up week, I thought why not and picked the most irrelevant book I could find...

So I got this ARC of Pride and Prejudice, everybody's favourite book, and it was less thrilling than I expected. Nevertheless, this is quite a solid adaptation and I would recommend both to first time readers and veteran fans.

Firstly, I was excited at the prospect of it being a manga, and it does retain a lot of the elements including the right-to-left panels, chibi forms for humour and luminescent blushes.



Unfortunately, not all of these things translate well in a novel set in Regency England and I found the effect a bit jarring occasionally. Imagine Darcy doing that kind of blush, for example. It's all well and good in theory, but in practice it looks quite silly and out of place. Blushes on guys are very hard to pull off convincingly even for experienced manga artists (Shimaki Ako does a brillant job, if you're wondering.)

In that vein, most of my complaints stem from the artwork. The graphics are, to risk sounding snobby, so old Harlequin manga style - you know, those ones with dramatic tears and oddly proportioned men.



It doesn't appeal to me at all, especially since Elizabeth's hair grows and shortens randomly. Darcy, who is the raison d'etre, has a head like a cello on a diet, to put it mildly. I do like his tail coats, which are so long and dramatic they remind me of Batman's cape. Sadly, Mrs. Bennett's delightfully satircali hypocrisy has been reduced to hamster-like antics.



To the book's credit, it does put some light-heartedness into P&P in a medium where it is difficult to convey the convoluted verbal sarcasm of the novel. It is rather adorable, especially in its depiction of the sisters' relationship. The other plus point is its general faithfulness to the original, which even movies haven't managed to do. Events are sometimes compressed, but not altered considerably.

So, with more modern art and better research (Darcy is wearing a tricorn hat at the wedding!) I think it would be a stellar graphic novel. At the moment, it is good starting point for first time readers of the classic and a rather cute visualisation for long-time fans.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this!

Get this review and more at:

[Julie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 9-year-old has introduced me to graphic novels, and a Goodreads friend has more recently introduced me to Manga novels.

Turns out "Manga" isn't a tropical fruit, but a Japanese-inspired comic book. I would describe them as graphic novels that contain characters that look part-zombie/part-kewpie doll, with a nipple or a breast spontaneously bursting out on random pages. (Talk about a non-sequitur). Sometimes characters have no features at all. . . just a weird blank space for a face.

Plus, you read them right to left, back to front. Quirky.

The description of "Manga Classics" at the back of the book explains that they "look and read like great commercial manga, while being faithful adaptations of literary classics!"

Okay, so this English Lit teacher is going to explain to you that. . . er, no, that is SO not true. This book is loaded with inaccuracies. It has more than a few translation hiccups as well.

However. . . if you know that going into it (and believe me, if my daughters read these Manga Classics in a few years, they WILL be reading them in conjunction with the original novels!), then I must say that these illustrators must have a HELLUVA good time making these!

How much fun would it be to do this? To take an old story and make it have an edgy, modern feel, potentially pulling in new, fresh readers who may never have known these stories?

Please, people, don't forget the originals!! We've mutated enough already.

But, dang it, these are fun!

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. The historical inaccuracies drove me nuts - examples of such include Bingley walking into the bedroom where Jane is ill, despite the fact that no man but a doctor or husband would enter a woman's bedroom, immediate usage of first names - Darcy calling Elizabeth by her first name the very night they meet, and throughout the story, (ditto with Jane). This is best described as a manga "inspired by" Pride and Prejudice, rather than an adaptation of the book into manga form. As a huge P&P fan, I was disappointed.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

idk who this bitch was but that wasn't Elizabeth Bennet.

[S.S.G. Danvers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha estado bonito :)

[♡Samr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que preciosidad de adaptación!!
Amé❤❤❤

[Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great experience, it was my first manga classic and to be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was awesome and I had a lot of pleasure reading it.

The adaptation wasn’t a 100% copy of the novel, I’ll give you that but only minor changes were brought and the essential parts of the novel were kept intact (unlike the carnage of the movie)

I liked the fact that most of the characters were true to the novel’s ones and the art was really good, Mrs. Bennet still irritated me the same way,



Lydia was still the worst pain in the arse I’ve ever experienced,




Mr. Bingley was -as usual- so sweet and so innocent, his sister – God give her a brain- so stupid, Jane was, well, Jane and Darcy was perfectly “The” Mr. Darcy.





What I didn’t like was:





1st, Elizabeth’s character, as we know her, she’s the tough personality kind of girls, but here, she was far too emotional making me a bit ill at ease from time to time and making no sense as I couldn’t find a reason to her overwhelmed reactions.



2nd, Mr. Collins, he was ridiculous and acting in a very weird way, not the novel’s Mr. Collins weird way, but, a worse one. (never thought it was possible, but, strange enough, it seems it is)


Some pages were so glittering and filled with love and romance and feelings ( kinda creepy sometimes, lol) but, it was an enjoyable piece.
Highly recommended for Pride and Prejudice fans!

Thanks Netgalley for the copy!!

[Erica (storybookend) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me so happy. I didn’t even know it existed before a few days ago. I started reading it today, and three hours later, I finished it. It’s just so fantastic! It has all the charm and wit and elegance of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but then it has humor and a slightly modern feel at times, made possible through the manga drawings. Which, by the way, were extremely well drawn.

There were times when I laughed out loud at the antics of the characters, and at some of the drawings that told so much more than words could ever say. Especially when it involved Mr. Darcy, since in the original novel we never really get into his head.

First, Mr. Colllins. Oh dear, he’s always just made me cringe with his awkwardness and weirdness. But in this manga, ha! When he asked Elizabeth to marry him and she said “no” which he found “fashionable,” he kept popping up all over the place, asking her to marry him. One picture had his head sticking out of a pot and Elizabeth spewing tea. So funny! Oh my gosh.

Then when Elizabeth visits Pemberley and she remembers that Mr. Darcy owns it, there’s a picture of Darcy looking like a king: wearing a cloak, holding a scepter, head held high. Basically the opposite of his quiet, don’t-look-at-me character. Bahaha! There were also little modern things like the words “ha ha” and “awkward” in certain pictures. Very much not a Jane Austen thing.

The drawings added so much emotion. And most of the time they were just subtle things, like Darcy reaching for Elizabeth then retracting his hand, and Darcy rubbing the back of his head when talking to Elizabeth about something that made him nervous. The emotion and characters’ inner feelings were done so beautifully.

Ah, I just love this book so much! It’s the most fantastic thing. It’s perfect. Now, to get my hands on Manga Classics: Jane Eyre, which is sure to be just as delightful.

[Rin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I assume that anyone who was interested in this manga already read the novel. So here's my full-of-spoilers review!

Excuse me while I'm crying for my horribly butchered favorite characters.
Like, I know I can't fully complain about the manga and arts, because even though the drawing is not great, has a lot of disconnected panels and has poorly drawn backgrounds, it has the classic style of first generation mangas. And so we can actually call this a decent, albeit average manga.

But I definitely can cry bloody murder about the worst alternating of the characters' personalities. Like, Lizzy is practically Lydia. Silly, giggly, blushing Lydia. Why??? Why would you do that?
And poor, poor Mr. Darcy. I can't believe different book format would ever change someone as steady and as different as him. But now this manga proofs me wrong T_T
Although Mr and Mrs. Bennet, Lydia, Kitty, Mary, Jane, Mr. Bingley stay in their characters, I simply can't accept the characters discrepancy of Lizzy and Mr. Darcy..

Also, I can't get over how dramatic everyone and everything is in this manga. Like how the characters could go from smiling in a panel to freaking out (on nothing btw) in the next panel. Like, no transition at all!
So, instead of being a classy classic manga, this book just scream silly to me.

Maybe I'll actually let this manga being read by my younger siblings or cousins as an introduction to the amazing book, but I really don't think that this would satisfy the needs of Austen readers.

I received this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks netgalley and publisher for letting me reading this ☺

[April (Aprilius Maximus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an e-copy of this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

You may be shocked to hear that I have never read Pride and Prejudice or even seen any of the movies or the mini series, so I was going into this knowing absolutely nothing about the story itself, and this definitely made reading this manga interesting. I am honestly not a huge fan of classics and I've had Pride and Prejudice sitting on my shelf for a while, but as soon as I saw there was a manga version of this, I immediately requested this title because I find classics really hard to get into and thought that this might be different when put into this format. And I was right!

Having this classic story in manga form was amazing, easy to follow and so much more gripping than it would have been for me to read the actual book. The story flowed so easily and made so much sense (which is saying something seeing as I knew nothing about the plot in the first place!)

The art was fantastic (even though I would've liked some colour every now and again) and what I especially loved were the humorous faces that the characters would sometimes pull which were HILARIOUS! I loved how having this kind of art was bringing a modern twist to this classic story and I could tell that some of the things were added in the dialogue for this very purpose. It worked really well and it was an effortless combination of both old and new put into this manga!

I definitely recommend this, and not only for fans of Pride and Prejudice, but also people who are hesitant to pick up classics because of their writing and such.