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Manga Classics
Manga Classics: Great Expectations
Charles Dickens' Great Expectations tells the story of Pip, an English orphan who rises to wealth, deserts his true friends, and becomes humbled by his own arrogance. It also introduces one of the more colorful characters in Miss Havisham. Dickens set Great Expectations during the time that England was becoming a wealthy world power. Machines were making factories more productive, yet people lived in awful conditions. Naïve Pip, creepy Miss Haversham, beautifully cold Estella, terrifying Abel Magwitch and the rest of Dicken's fantastic cast are perfectly envisioned in Crystal Chan's new adaptation featuring artwork by artist Nokman Poon.
308 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2015
22 people are currently reading
981 people want to read
About the author
Stacy King
55 books218 followersHi 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
April 11, 2017
Wow! This Manga Classic is superb!
It made me want to read the original work.
Basic Plot:
Pip is an orphan and he lives with his elder sister and brother-in-law, Joe. Pip's sister always complains about Pip. She finds bringing him up as a burden. Joe is a blacksmith and a super sweet guy.
Mrs. Havisham is an old woman and is very peculiar. She was betrayed by the guy she was madly in love with and since then she lives in that moment of heartbreak. She is bitter and filled with anger and hatred. She has adopted a daughter - Estella who is breathtakingly beautiful but proud and rude.
Mrs. Havisham is using Estella as her revenge from men. She wants men to fall in love with Estella so she can break their heart just like Mrs. Havisham's heart was broken.
Poor Pip falls in love with the rich and beautiful Estella, not knowing how cruel is she. He has great expectations for his life. He wants to be rich like Estella so he can marry her.
Honestly, there is more to this story than all the things I have mentioned above. This was just the basic plot and I don't want to give away spoilers.
What I Loved in this Manga Classic:
1. Obviously, the story. Although, the original story is written by Charles Dickens and I can't wait to read it. I do give credit to the manga creator for fluent and coherent adaptation. The story just flowed smoothly making me sway with its ups and downs.
2. The characters. OMG! I love all of them.
Pip for his innocence and helpful nature. He was ambitious but was soon lost in the world of riches. I loved how he bounced back with dignity.
Joe for his cheerfulness in despite of hard times. His compassion for Pip and his sick wife
Biddy for her compassion
Poor Mrs. Havisham. She was rich but so poor by heart. I feel bad for what happened to her. Heartbreak can snatch your soul away leaving nothing but a gaping hole in your chest. You get stuck in that moment forever.
Estella. The most pitiful character of the story. She didn't know what was love for she was raised without it.
Pumblechook for I have an uncle just like him :-/
3. The gorgeous artwork!
What I Didn't Like:
Absolutely nothing!
It was awesome and too good.
An eARC of this book was provided by Udon Entertainment via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It made me want to read the original work.
Basic Plot:
Pip is an orphan and he lives with his elder sister and brother-in-law, Joe. Pip's sister always complains about Pip. She finds bringing him up as a burden. Joe is a blacksmith and a super sweet guy.
Mrs. Havisham is an old woman and is very peculiar. She was betrayed by the guy she was madly in love with and since then she lives in that moment of heartbreak. She is bitter and filled with anger and hatred. She has adopted a daughter - Estella who is breathtakingly beautiful but proud and rude.
Mrs. Havisham is using Estella as her revenge from men. She wants men to fall in love with Estella so she can break their heart just like Mrs. Havisham's heart was broken.
Poor Pip falls in love with the rich and beautiful Estella, not knowing how cruel is she. He has great expectations for his life. He wants to be rich like Estella so he can marry her.
Honestly, there is more to this story than all the things I have mentioned above. This was just the basic plot and I don't want to give away spoilers.
What I Loved in this Manga Classic:
1. Obviously, the story. Although, the original story is written by Charles Dickens and I can't wait to read it. I do give credit to the manga creator for fluent and coherent adaptation. The story just flowed smoothly making me sway with its ups and downs.
2. The characters. OMG! I love all of them.
Pip for his innocence and helpful nature. He was ambitious but was soon lost in the world of riches. I loved how he bounced back with dignity.
Joe for his cheerfulness in despite of hard times. His compassion for Pip and his sick wife
Biddy for her compassion
Poor Mrs. Havisham. She was rich but so poor by heart. I feel bad for what happened to her. Heartbreak can snatch your soul away leaving nothing but a gaping hole in your chest. You get stuck in that moment forever.
Estella. The most pitiful character of the story. She didn't know what was love for she was raised without it.
Pumblechook for I have an uncle just like him :-/
3. The gorgeous artwork!
What I Didn't Like:
Absolutely nothing!
It was awesome and too good.
An eARC of this book was provided by Udon Entertainment via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2020
Great Expectations, a manga/graphic novel, was a solid 4 stars. This is the 5th Manga Classic book that I have read and it never seems to disappoint. As always, the artwork is beautiful and the book is easy to understand for both children and adults. I have never read the (classic) Great Expectations but recently ordered a clothbound edition that I’m excited to start reading next month.
The book centers around Pip, a young boy whose parents are both deceased and is being raised by his sister and her blacksmith husband Joe. Pip has had a hard life-with little money and treated cruelly by almost everyone he knows (with the exception of Joe), he’s desperate for a better life, the life of a gentleman. With a full cast of characters, including Miss Haversham (an eccentric woman who never got over her bitterness after being left at the altar) and her beautiful adopted daughter Estella- Great Expectations is well worth the read.
Highly recommend to fans of manga/graphic novels and classic books. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book centers around Pip, a young boy whose parents are both deceased and is being raised by his sister and her blacksmith husband Joe. Pip has had a hard life-with little money and treated cruelly by almost everyone he knows (with the exception of Joe), he’s desperate for a better life, the life of a gentleman. With a full cast of characters, including Miss Haversham (an eccentric woman who never got over her bitterness after being left at the altar) and her beautiful adopted daughter Estella- Great Expectations is well worth the read.
Highly recommend to fans of manga/graphic novels and classic books. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2018
Whenever I visit a bookstore, I always check the classics book corner and the story of Great Expectations always catch my eye. I want to purchase a copy but what's holding me is that aside that it's thick – the size of the font is quite small – which made it hard to read. Thanks to this graphic novel, I've finally read the beautiful and poignant story of this classic.
February 12, 2017
Manga Classics: Great Expectations!!! First things first: I received this book through NetGalley.I'm going to start with saying once again, how much I love these Manga Classics. Seriously. If you want to read a classic but you are scared of them, try these Manga Classics. They are such a fun and easy way to dive into these stories (and they probably, most of the time, make you wanna pick up the original story).This one wasn't for me. Towards the end I really got into the story and the journey the main character Pip went through and how much he grew. But overall, the whole story didn't work for me. I have to admit that I even forgot about the book for a bit until I saw it on my currently reading shelve on goodreads and on booklikes and remembered, oh right, I'm still reading that.Like always, the art work was amazing.
August 16, 2019
I have always been a big fan of Dickens. In fact, my favorite book is A Christmas Carol. But, his larger works can be quite dark and depressing. Dickens lived through some rough times in his childhood and it certainly colored his writing. The first time I read Great Expectations, I remember thinking to myself about how absolutely F'd up every single character is.....there isn't a single character that doesn't have some darkness or flaw that puts a damper on their entire life. Even if they are just fictional creations, it's difficult to read through a story that shows so clearly how harsh human nature, the world, and society can be. I had to read Great Expectations twice during my school years....and never touched the book again. Too depressing. Too real.
But then I saw this manga version of the classic story. I decided to give Pip another visit. I'm glad I did. This manga classic follows the basics of the story closely enough, but it seemed somehow less depressing accompanied by manga-style artwork. I liked how the manga version ends....it seems to fit even how Dickens felt about the story himself.
The story is still intense, but I enjoyed this slightly condensed version much better than the original novel.
The adaptation of the story is good...the artwork is wonderful! I'm glad I read this version, even if the original story is not one of my favorites.
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Udon Entertainment via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
But then I saw this manga version of the classic story. I decided to give Pip another visit. I'm glad I did. This manga classic follows the basics of the story closely enough, but it seemed somehow less depressing accompanied by manga-style artwork. I liked how the manga version ends....it seems to fit even how Dickens felt about the story himself.
The story is still intense, but I enjoyed this slightly condensed version much better than the original novel.
The adaptation of the story is good...the artwork is wonderful! I'm glad I read this version, even if the original story is not one of my favorites.
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Udon Entertainment via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
July 21, 2018
3.5 stars! I am so glad I found these adaptations of classics in manga form because I have always been interested in these stories but not a fan of reading the actual classics so this series works out perfectly for me! The Great Expectations is a very interesting story I’d say, I wasn’t sure what to expect going into it but the characters and plot are very well written. The ending didn’t quite satisfy me and I wish there had been more romance but it was nice to see a change in Pip’s character, considering how much of a brat he was at some parts of the story 🌚 The art is absolutely beautiful and I will be definitely be picking up more of these books in the future ❤️
February 24, 2017
It is safe to say that I am not Charles Dickens fan. The story was full of drama and some quite unsettling moments so I struggle to understand some of the things, there are so many interpretations out there but for me it didn't work.
The art was great and so was the pacing. Great work!
March 31, 2020
Charles Dickens siempre es una apuesta segura, mi zona de confort total.
La historia de Pip es entrañable, dura, el autor nis deja toda una moraleja en esta historia.
Los dibujos son fantásticos, toda una obra de arte.
Muy recomendable.
La historia de Pip es entrañable, dura, el autor nis deja toda una moraleja en esta historia.
Los dibujos son fantásticos, toda una obra de arte.
Muy recomendable.
September 12, 2015
[I received a copy of this book through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.]
This series of classics turned to manga remains interesting. I read Great Expectations some 9 years ago, so I admit I forgot a lot of details, and it's difficult now for me to properly decide if this adaptation is faithful enough or if it culled through a lot. However, I think that for someone who never read Dickens's original story, this manga version covers the essential parts: Pip's feelings towards his class as he grows up and moves up the ladder, his relationship with the beautiful but cold Estella, and the mystery about his benefactor. For those who have read Dickens, well... it's a good reason to read him again, I say.
The artwork is similar to that of the other adaptations in this series: not by the same artist, but nonetheless quite pleasant to look at. Miss Havisham's dress is plain gorgeous, and her dusty, spiderweb-covered room definitely creepy. Estella's posture and attitude reflect the way she was brought up. Joe isn't like the character in the novel, physically, yet no matter what his design still conveyed that he's a good man. Actually, it's easy to detect who is "nice" and who is "evil" from their features—and while it may be considered a graphic shortcut, it also quickly allows the reader to picture who does (or will do) what, something that would be more difficult to achieve here anyway than in the original prose form.
The pace was rushed in places, though, especially when it comes to how Pip's take on life, people and events changed: it was wrapped up a little bit too fast, and as a result, Pip mostly came off as bratty most of the time (which he is, alright). And as the format demanded the story be restricted to 300 pages, some of its depth was lost along the way; the novel left room for more development, whereas in the manga, most characters felts rather one-dimensional.
Still, I would recommend it if only for the artwork and for its ability to make one want to (re)read Great Expectations itself. 3.5 stars.
This series of classics turned to manga remains interesting. I read Great Expectations some 9 years ago, so I admit I forgot a lot of details, and it's difficult now for me to properly decide if this adaptation is faithful enough or if it culled through a lot. However, I think that for someone who never read Dickens's original story, this manga version covers the essential parts: Pip's feelings towards his class as he grows up and moves up the ladder, his relationship with the beautiful but cold Estella, and the mystery about his benefactor. For those who have read Dickens, well... it's a good reason to read him again, I say.
The artwork is similar to that of the other adaptations in this series: not by the same artist, but nonetheless quite pleasant to look at. Miss Havisham's dress is plain gorgeous, and her dusty, spiderweb-covered room definitely creepy. Estella's posture and attitude reflect the way she was brought up. Joe isn't like the character in the novel, physically, yet no matter what his design still conveyed that he's a good man. Actually, it's easy to detect who is "nice" and who is "evil" from their features—and while it may be considered a graphic shortcut, it also quickly allows the reader to picture who does (or will do) what, something that would be more difficult to achieve here anyway than in the original prose form.
The pace was rushed in places, though, especially when it comes to how Pip's take on life, people and events changed: it was wrapped up a little bit too fast, and as a result, Pip mostly came off as bratty most of the time (which he is, alright). And as the format demanded the story be restricted to 300 pages, some of its depth was lost along the way; the novel left room for more development, whereas in the manga, most characters felts rather one-dimensional.
Still, I would recommend it if only for the artwork and for its ability to make one want to (re)read Great Expectations itself. 3.5 stars.
January 21, 2023
This is an interesting adaptation of Dickens’s bildungsroman…
The characters look vastly different to what I imagined, having read the original several times; a large part of this could be attributed to the aesthetic element of the manga medium. Young Pip looks well groomed, and Joe looks attractive and delicate—quite unlike what I expected the poor blacksmith to look like. At the beginning, Magwitch looks worn and innocent, hugely contrasting the harsh and frightening appearance depicted in the original.
The manga discounts the vernaculars that distinguish some of the characters. Joe and Magwitch, for example, appear unrefined through their eating habits, but their speech is relatively normal.
I like how the visual element demands readers make inferences rather than receiving explicit and detailed descriptions—but on the flip-side characters often seem two-dimensional. Granted, a lot of the characters in the original are caricatures that merely help Pip grow and develop, but they do not lack depth to such a degree. Due to the lack of description, some characters seem superfluous, like Wemmick and Drummle. That said, I am aware that this could be ascribed to the abridged and visual format of the manga.
On the whole, an enjoyable read, but it lacks the mystery and excitement of the original.
The characters look vastly different to what I imagined, having read the original several times; a large part of this could be attributed to the aesthetic element of the manga medium. Young Pip looks well groomed, and Joe looks attractive and delicate—quite unlike what I expected the poor blacksmith to look like. At the beginning, Magwitch looks worn and innocent, hugely contrasting the harsh and frightening appearance depicted in the original.
The manga discounts the vernaculars that distinguish some of the characters. Joe and Magwitch, for example, appear unrefined through their eating habits, but their speech is relatively normal.
I like how the visual element demands readers make inferences rather than receiving explicit and detailed descriptions—but on the flip-side characters often seem two-dimensional. Granted, a lot of the characters in the original are caricatures that merely help Pip grow and develop, but they do not lack depth to such a degree. Due to the lack of description, some characters seem superfluous, like Wemmick and Drummle. That said, I am aware that this could be ascribed to the abridged and visual format of the manga.
On the whole, an enjoyable read, but it lacks the mystery and excitement of the original.
December 25, 2015
3.5
Art was good, but story drags a times, especially the last third.
Art was good, but story drags a times, especially the last third.
December 28, 2019
Really enjoyed this manga version of a classic Charles Dickens novel. Even though I have read the original and knew what happened in the story, this creative and visual twist made me more invested in the plot than the original. If you want to read classics, give this series a try!
April 16, 2017
*** Disclaimer: Received this from the author/publisher via Netgalley for an honest review***
I had read Great Expectations early on in my life. It was a mass market paperback that had a page count of well over 500 pages, if I remember clearly, which made it a beast of a book. I really hated that book then and never thought I would pick up the story once more. I was glad to find the manga for review on Netgalley because it allowed me to explore the story of Pip and Estella again as an older reader but in a timely fashion.
Let me start with the fact that the art is lovely. It is very dynamic and each frame was artfully placed. The progression of the plot is where I found it to be a bit choppy. I think that a lot of the beginning was spent with Pip as a child and because of that the ending had to get crunched in the last third to try and get in his adult years. I also felt that the relationship Havisham had with both Pip and Estella could have been flushed out more. I couldn't feel their reasoning for entertaining her throughout all the years. It is a very subtle thing explored in the actual book over a lot of pages so I kind of understand why it couldn't be done in the smaller page count here however I feel because it wasn't done I wasn't sold on their inherent connection to her. Without this connection you couldn't feel empathy for Havisham even in a small capacity.
The ending was very open ended and I really appreciated that. The author's notes at the end of the manga explained why they decided to go that route and I agree with them about it because the ending of the book I read (as the original Great Expectations had two endings written by Dickens) just irritated me greatly.
In the end I think this was still a terrific way to present this story and introduce people to Dickens' usually very large and long winded classics. I am excited to read more from the Manga Classic series as it allows me to read a lot of classics in a more engaging format.
Happy Reading
Jo
I had read Great Expectations early on in my life. It was a mass market paperback that had a page count of well over 500 pages, if I remember clearly, which made it a beast of a book. I really hated that book then and never thought I would pick up the story once more. I was glad to find the manga for review on Netgalley because it allowed me to explore the story of Pip and Estella again as an older reader but in a timely fashion.
Let me start with the fact that the art is lovely. It is very dynamic and each frame was artfully placed. The progression of the plot is where I found it to be a bit choppy. I think that a lot of the beginning was spent with Pip as a child and because of that the ending had to get crunched in the last third to try and get in his adult years. I also felt that the relationship Havisham had with both Pip and Estella could have been flushed out more. I couldn't feel their reasoning for entertaining her throughout all the years. It is a very subtle thing explored in the actual book over a lot of pages so I kind of understand why it couldn't be done in the smaller page count here however I feel because it wasn't done I wasn't sold on their inherent connection to her. Without this connection you couldn't feel empathy for Havisham even in a small capacity.
The ending was very open ended and I really appreciated that. The author's notes at the end of the manga explained why they decided to go that route and I agree with them about it because the ending of the book I read (as the original Great Expectations had two endings written by Dickens) just irritated me greatly.
In the end I think this was still a terrific way to present this story and introduce people to Dickens' usually very large and long winded classics. I am excited to read more from the Manga Classic series as it allows me to read a lot of classics in a more engaging format.
Happy Reading
Jo
December 30, 2017
Wow! What a thrilling ride! I received the book from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you.
This book was great! I hadn't read the original before but I surely was not expecting that, it was dark, filled with plot twists and gripping.
A really good read, and I'm not talking about the plot because it was better for me that way. However what I am going to talk about it's the magnificent way in which they made it to manga.
The art is beautiful and meaningful. All the emotions that I was supposed to feel were felt, and I was amazed with how well detailed every page was.
As I have not read the original work I cannot say if it was well adapted, but in my opinion it was. I understood the whole story and felt it complete, so I'm guessing that at least all the important details were there.
Again, I'm so grateful that these books exist, a wonderful way to reread or read (if you're overwhelmed by the original) the classics.
This book was great! I hadn't read the original before but I surely was not expecting that, it was dark, filled with plot twists and gripping.
A really good read, and I'm not talking about the plot because it was better for me that way. However what I am going to talk about it's the magnificent way in which they made it to manga.
The art is beautiful and meaningful. All the emotions that I was supposed to feel were felt, and I was amazed with how well detailed every page was.
As I have not read the original work I cannot say if it was well adapted, but in my opinion it was. I understood the whole story and felt it complete, so I'm guessing that at least all the important details were there.
Again, I'm so grateful that these books exist, a wonderful way to reread or read (if you're overwhelmed by the original) the classics.
June 1, 2020
From the moment I started reading on my own, I wanted to read Great Expectations, because since I was a teenager, I was obsessed with the movie directed by Alfonso Cuarón, and in which Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow were the perfect Finn/Pip and Estella respectively. To me it was a love story that didn’t end up well and it seemed more realistic that those RomComs everybody seemed to love.
So, back in 2015 I tried reading the book, but I never finished it. The Spanish translation wasn’t really good and it seemed that it would be one of those classics I’d hate. So, I just let it be. I mean, Dickens is known for his stories, and I knew that at some point, I would try to finish it, perhaps in another edition.
Earlier this month, I found that there are Manga adaptations of several classic books and I was thrilled. Manga is a format that is easier to consume and so, I gave Great Expectations another chance.
Fortunately, from the very beginning I was drawn to the story because our young protagonist never had it easy. He was an unschooled orphan, and the only friend he had was Joe, the kind blacksmith, his sister’s husband –I mean, not even his sister treated him good.
But one day, Phillip, aka Pip, has a life-changing event: he meets a prisoner that just escaped, and he helps him by giving him bread, despite being terrified of him.
Just around the same time, he meets Mrs. Havisham, one of the wealthiest person in the little town he lives. The thing is, the woman is a little bit crazy since she was abandoned by a man who she thought was the love of her life. Ever since, she became a wretched existence filled with hatred and jealousy of those who experienced true love.
Estella, her adopted daughter, was the same age as Pip, and so, Mrs. Havisham had them play together, for her own amusement. Pip liked Estella, and thought she was never kind to him, he just liked her for being pretty and unreachable.
And so, as they grow up, he never stops feeling that attraction towards her and he even dares calling it love. Still, Estella always treats him bad, like he will never be worthy of her. Her poisonous persona is the result of Mrs. Havisham’s own broken heart but none of them seemed to realize this until they’re adults.
On the other hand, there is someone interested in Pip’s growth: this anonymous person hires a lawyer so Pip can be taught about manners, economy and ultimately, how to be a gentleman instead of the apprentice of a poor blacksmith.
Now, as you can imagine, Pip develops his potential, but in the process, he forgets about Joe and his sister, who later suffers and attack that ends up in her death. Pip basically wants to erase his past, all the things that made him embarrassing and not worthy of Estella (his obsession and idealization towards her are truly insane).
He grows into a gentleman of sorts and he eventually meets his benefactor but, oh, what are the odds that every character is connected to one another? They all have part in this story and they made me thing that life is full of ironies and bad jokes.
To me, Great Expectations is the story of a man that experienced the duality of people: on one side we have kindness from Joe, one of his friends and his benefactor; but on the other side, he experiences the obsession of unrequired love and coldness from the girl he’s ever liked.
This book left me with the lesson that you always affect the lives of the people around you, even when you don’t notice; and that one small act of kindness can change somebody’s whole world. That we have to learn from our mistakes and we have to open our eyes when somebody is just not into us. There is a lot of drama of course, but I really think that this classic is worth reading –at least the manga adaptation is.
I want to add that the artist made a terrific job portraying all the different shades and personalities of these characters. I really think Joe deserved the world, and we need more people like him in real life, whilst Mrs. Havisham is just deplorable, but hey, all villains have their own story to tell.
I would totally recommend you to read this in case you don’t feel like the original work might be for you. I promise you, this is so much better and far more entertaining.
e-book copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
So, back in 2015 I tried reading the book, but I never finished it. The Spanish translation wasn’t really good and it seemed that it would be one of those classics I’d hate. So, I just let it be. I mean, Dickens is known for his stories, and I knew that at some point, I would try to finish it, perhaps in another edition.
Earlier this month, I found that there are Manga adaptations of several classic books and I was thrilled. Manga is a format that is easier to consume and so, I gave Great Expectations another chance.
Fortunately, from the very beginning I was drawn to the story because our young protagonist never had it easy. He was an unschooled orphan, and the only friend he had was Joe, the kind blacksmith, his sister’s husband –I mean, not even his sister treated him good.
But one day, Phillip, aka Pip, has a life-changing event: he meets a prisoner that just escaped, and he helps him by giving him bread, despite being terrified of him.
Just around the same time, he meets Mrs. Havisham, one of the wealthiest person in the little town he lives. The thing is, the woman is a little bit crazy since she was abandoned by a man who she thought was the love of her life. Ever since, she became a wretched existence filled with hatred and jealousy of those who experienced true love.
Estella, her adopted daughter, was the same age as Pip, and so, Mrs. Havisham had them play together, for her own amusement. Pip liked Estella, and thought she was never kind to him, he just liked her for being pretty and unreachable.
And so, as they grow up, he never stops feeling that attraction towards her and he even dares calling it love. Still, Estella always treats him bad, like he will never be worthy of her. Her poisonous persona is the result of Mrs. Havisham’s own broken heart but none of them seemed to realize this until they’re adults.
On the other hand, there is someone interested in Pip’s growth: this anonymous person hires a lawyer so Pip can be taught about manners, economy and ultimately, how to be a gentleman instead of the apprentice of a poor blacksmith.
Now, as you can imagine, Pip develops his potential, but in the process, he forgets about Joe and his sister, who later suffers and attack that ends up in her death. Pip basically wants to erase his past, all the things that made him embarrassing and not worthy of Estella (his obsession and idealization towards her are truly insane).
He grows into a gentleman of sorts and he eventually meets his benefactor but, oh, what are the odds that every character is connected to one another? They all have part in this story and they made me thing that life is full of ironies and bad jokes.
To me, Great Expectations is the story of a man that experienced the duality of people: on one side we have kindness from Joe, one of his friends and his benefactor; but on the other side, he experiences the obsession of unrequired love and coldness from the girl he’s ever liked.
This book left me with the lesson that you always affect the lives of the people around you, even when you don’t notice; and that one small act of kindness can change somebody’s whole world. That we have to learn from our mistakes and we have to open our eyes when somebody is just not into us. There is a lot of drama of course, but I really think that this classic is worth reading –at least the manga adaptation is.
I want to add that the artist made a terrific job portraying all the different shades and personalities of these characters. I really think Joe deserved the world, and we need more people like him in real life, whilst Mrs. Havisham is just deplorable, but hey, all villains have their own story to tell.
I would totally recommend you to read this in case you don’t feel like the original work might be for you. I promise you, this is so much better and far more entertaining.
e-book copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2018
Manga Classics: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Stacy King, & Nokman Poon
3.25 stars
Art Scale: 2.5
Character Scale: 4
Plotastic Scale: 3.75
Cover Thoughts: It’s interesting, but not a favorite.
Thank you, Netgalley and Udon Entertainment for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
3.25 stars
The tale of Great Expectations is a famous one, but most people only hear it and passing and don’t realize that it is a Dickens novel. It follows the story of Pip, a young man living in poverty and destined to follow his sister’s husband’s footsteps as a blacksmith. He stumbles upon a convict and is scared that this will lead to his arrest and shame. He stumbles into the great rooms of Miss Havisham’s mansion and the lovely Estella. Miss Havisham has been secluded into her house for more than twenty years and still wears the wedding dress she was abandoned in. Estella is her revenge against men for the wrong she faced. Pip loves Estella with all his heart, but is a poor boy. That is, until Pip comes into his Great Expectations and an anonymous donor funds his ability to rise into London’s high society as a young man. It’s a simple story and it is wonderfully adapted in this edition. I liked this adaptation so much that I picked up the audiobook of it and bought myself a personal copy. Since then, I have read Great Expectations and I think that is what is so wonderful about this series. It introduced me to a story that I knew was famous, but didn’t necessarily want to read. However, this story is vast and it struggles as a manga. There was a lot cut and this is a very abridged version of the story. This is particularly due to Dickens’ writing style. It is simple, but it doesn’t feel complete without seeing the words on the page. The art is quite nice, but it isn’t the strongest of the manga classics and for that reason it didn’t hold a special place in my heart.
Art Scale: 2.5
My biggest problem with Great Expectations is Pip. He is a rather boring character in this adaptation and notions are silly and quite frivolous. However, after reading the source material, I think this intentional as the story is told by a much older Pip who is reflecting on this time in his life as a silly young boy and man.
Estella is a real piece of work. She isn’t redeemable by any means, but she was nurtured to be cruel, unforgiving, and cold. It makes an interesting nature versus nurture debate. The majority of Great Expectations characters are detestable. That’s what makes them so memorable! Ah, Mrs. Havisham is one of my favorites in classical literature.
Character Scale: 4
Overall, this adaptation made me interested in picking up the original work and I think that it did its purpose. It was also nice to finally be introduced to Dickens outside of A Christmas Carol. I would recommend this if you are unsure about whether you would like Dickens or if classics intimidate you, but you want to know what people in literary discussions are referencing. You could be pretentious without a lot of effort (or just pick up the actual novel because I preferred it more).
Plotastic Scale: 3.75
Cover Thoughts: It’s interesting, but not a favorite.
Thank you, Netgalley and Udon Entertainment for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2015
This manga edition did a great job of capturing the main story in an abridged illustrated format. The artwork and panneling was well done and I really liked the portrayal of the characters, in particularly Ms. Havisham. Classics in manga format are a wonderful way to make the genre available to a larger audience that might otherwise find the language difficult.
April 6, 2018
In the fall of 1985, I was a freshman at The University of Houston, taking mostly core classes. This, of course, meant English 1101. I remember being assigned several readings, “Great Expectations” being among them. Now you must understand that “Great Expectations” is not a slim volume, it clocks in at 500+ pages of fairly dense, classical writing that requires deft attention if you want to keep up with the story. As I recall, I ditched the text itself and went straight for the Cliff’s Notes summary, which netted me a perfectly reasonable “C+” on my paper. That was way good enough for me, as I had much better things to do in my freshman year. I was batting leadoff for my intramural softball team, and there was beer to be downed after games, so you KNOW where my priorities were.
Definition of bildungsroman: a novel or story dealing with one’s personal formative years and/or spiritual education and experience.
“Great Expectations” is quite possibly THE definitive bildungsroman. It is truly one of the classic pieces of literature, and it’s characters and plot tropes have entered and influenced so much of Western culture that it almost seems counterintuitive to try and document how important the book is to literature as a whole. And if you think that I’m going to try and review the work itself, you are quite incorrect. For one, I STILL haven’t read the book itself, as I’m perfectly happy with that “C+” that I got in freshman English. Even my desire to catch up on classics that I have missed over the years can’t overcome my hesitation to pick up the tome. Besides, I know all the basics…...main character Pip recounts his story of growth and redemption as he navigates the prides and pitfalls of English society through the course of his life. There is action, drama, humor, pathos….this book literally has it all. And of course the side characters have made their mark as well….the eccentric Miss Havisham, the cold and ruthless Estella, the kind but lowly blacksmith Joe, the evil Compeyson….all of these enduring characters have entered into the literary canon and been examined and written about and psychoanalyzed to death. No, there is no point whatsoever in trying to review a work like “Great Expectations.” You either know it and accept it for what it is, or you don’t.
That said, I couldn’t resist picking up a copy of “Manga Classics: Great Expectations” one day when I was at the used book store. It was on sale, I had a coupon, and I figured that I could at the very least expand my Cliff’s Notes knowledge of the source material. It seemed to be a perfectly good way to engage with this massive classic without having to wade into the water itself, so to speak.
And by gosh, I think I made a pretty good decision. The story adaptation by Crystal S. Chan is solid and covers the main parts of the story well, and the art by Nokman Poon is lively and totally in keeping with established manga styles and conventions. The text was adapted into English by Stacy King. It’s difficult to conceive of how a book as massive and sweeping as “Great Expectations” could be condensed into 295 pages of dialog boxes and artwork, but here it is. I think Chan and Poon should both be congratulated for doing such a good job of keeping the bones of the story intact while maintaining a narrative thrust.
The manga begins at the same place as the book does, with the iconic graveyard confrontation between the young, orphaned Pip and the escaped convict Magwitch. From there it careens through the tale at a breakneck pace. Pip’s introduction to a world beyond the commoner lifestyle when he first meets Miss Havisham and her adopted daughter, Estella. Pip’s change of fortune that allows him to escape poverty and study in London to become a proper gentleman. The eventual outing of Magwitch as Pip’s benefactor and the consequences of that fateful action. The constant theme of the growth of Pip as a human being with a conscience and an unwavering sense of honor. It’s all there, though in abbreviated form. There is no way that all of the bases could have been covered in an adaptation this short, but the STORY is there, complete and full-bodied enough to satisfy anyone interested. I can see where this volume would encourage a reader to pick up the source material and dive in, but I can also see where this would be enough to carry the general reader through this enduring work of literary art.
There is also a valuable section at the end of the book that goes into some background detail of how “Great Expectations” made it to the manga format, and these extra features add some depth and explanation to the exercise as a whole. What to leave in? What to leave out? What to leave to the reader’s imagination? All this and more is brought to the table as Chan and Poon take the time to talk about their adaptation. Most readers will be aware that Charles Dickens wrote two endings for “Great Expectations.” The ending in this manga is smartly left open-ended, allowing the audience to imagine whichever ending they wish with no repercussions.
All in all, I was very happy with this manga adaptation. I wish that something like this had been available back in 1985 when I was working on that paper. This beats Cliff’s Notes all to hell and back. I’m not sure whether or not I will personally feel compelled to pick up the book itself. This is probably as complete an understanding of “Great Expectations” as I will ever really need. There are other classics in this particular series, “Emma,” “The Scarlet Letter,” “Les Miserables.” I can see a lot of value in collecting more of these adaptations, especially for those who would like a basic understanding of just what makes a classic book a classic in the first place.
Definition of bildungsroman: a novel or story dealing with one’s personal formative years and/or spiritual education and experience.
“Great Expectations” is quite possibly THE definitive bildungsroman. It is truly one of the classic pieces of literature, and it’s characters and plot tropes have entered and influenced so much of Western culture that it almost seems counterintuitive to try and document how important the book is to literature as a whole. And if you think that I’m going to try and review the work itself, you are quite incorrect. For one, I STILL haven’t read the book itself, as I’m perfectly happy with that “C+” that I got in freshman English. Even my desire to catch up on classics that I have missed over the years can’t overcome my hesitation to pick up the tome. Besides, I know all the basics…...main character Pip recounts his story of growth and redemption as he navigates the prides and pitfalls of English society through the course of his life. There is action, drama, humor, pathos….this book literally has it all. And of course the side characters have made their mark as well….the eccentric Miss Havisham, the cold and ruthless Estella, the kind but lowly blacksmith Joe, the evil Compeyson….all of these enduring characters have entered into the literary canon and been examined and written about and psychoanalyzed to death. No, there is no point whatsoever in trying to review a work like “Great Expectations.” You either know it and accept it for what it is, or you don’t.
That said, I couldn’t resist picking up a copy of “Manga Classics: Great Expectations” one day when I was at the used book store. It was on sale, I had a coupon, and I figured that I could at the very least expand my Cliff’s Notes knowledge of the source material. It seemed to be a perfectly good way to engage with this massive classic without having to wade into the water itself, so to speak.
And by gosh, I think I made a pretty good decision. The story adaptation by Crystal S. Chan is solid and covers the main parts of the story well, and the art by Nokman Poon is lively and totally in keeping with established manga styles and conventions. The text was adapted into English by Stacy King. It’s difficult to conceive of how a book as massive and sweeping as “Great Expectations” could be condensed into 295 pages of dialog boxes and artwork, but here it is. I think Chan and Poon should both be congratulated for doing such a good job of keeping the bones of the story intact while maintaining a narrative thrust.
The manga begins at the same place as the book does, with the iconic graveyard confrontation between the young, orphaned Pip and the escaped convict Magwitch. From there it careens through the tale at a breakneck pace. Pip’s introduction to a world beyond the commoner lifestyle when he first meets Miss Havisham and her adopted daughter, Estella. Pip’s change of fortune that allows him to escape poverty and study in London to become a proper gentleman. The eventual outing of Magwitch as Pip’s benefactor and the consequences of that fateful action. The constant theme of the growth of Pip as a human being with a conscience and an unwavering sense of honor. It’s all there, though in abbreviated form. There is no way that all of the bases could have been covered in an adaptation this short, but the STORY is there, complete and full-bodied enough to satisfy anyone interested. I can see where this volume would encourage a reader to pick up the source material and dive in, but I can also see where this would be enough to carry the general reader through this enduring work of literary art.
There is also a valuable section at the end of the book that goes into some background detail of how “Great Expectations” made it to the manga format, and these extra features add some depth and explanation to the exercise as a whole. What to leave in? What to leave out? What to leave to the reader’s imagination? All this and more is brought to the table as Chan and Poon take the time to talk about their adaptation. Most readers will be aware that Charles Dickens wrote two endings for “Great Expectations.” The ending in this manga is smartly left open-ended, allowing the audience to imagine whichever ending they wish with no repercussions.
All in all, I was very happy with this manga adaptation. I wish that something like this had been available back in 1985 when I was working on that paper. This beats Cliff’s Notes all to hell and back. I’m not sure whether or not I will personally feel compelled to pick up the book itself. This is probably as complete an understanding of “Great Expectations” as I will ever really need. There are other classics in this particular series, “Emma,” “The Scarlet Letter,” “Les Miserables.” I can see a lot of value in collecting more of these adaptations, especially for those who would like a basic understanding of just what makes a classic book a classic in the first place.
September 11, 2015
http://vanillamoonbooks.blogspot.ro/2...
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.
September 26, 2017
What a shame! Charles Dicken's Great Expectations is, based on other adaptations I've come across, such a wonderful, complex and multilayered story. In this particular manga adaptation, the art is so beautiful that really pains me to say: overall, this was poorly executed.
Despite the lovely art, the story and dialogue are terrible to follow. The dialogue is choppy and all over the place - there is nothing even close to a natural flow of conversation. There are too many details in the original story to be squashed into this manga. The scenes - and years - rush by and I feel as though half of the characters and plot should have been left out. Adapting a novel does not mean you must include every single detail. Some things don't even work without prose.
Again, Manga Classics offers a wide range of different designs that were all nicely done. Though for the most of it, the personalities struck me as flat. I saw zero chemistry between Pip and Estella - I can't see why either liked the other. In fact, I found most characters rather unlikeable. Even Pip himself comes across as nothing but a self-absorbed brat who doesn't know how to appreciate others.
Definitely not the strongest in the series!
October 10, 2015
3.5 stars
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I've been reading quite a lot of Manga Classics lately, but unfortunately this is for now the last in the series. Let me start by saying I hope there will be more soon because I liked this one and also the other I've read (Les Miserables, The Scarlet Letter, Emma and Pride & Prejudice).
The story is so well know that I don't think I need to discuss it. Instead, I'd like to say that although I haven't read the book I kind of knew the story from a BBC adaptation I watched a few years ago and I think it followed the story quite well (for as far as I can remember). It's only obvious that some details get lost when the story gets adapted into a 300 page manga.
I don't think this is necessarily a problem, since it's a great introduction or refresher in my opinion. It's not a substitute for reading the classics but an addition I like to read. This manga (as well as the others) have made me want to read the originals that I hadn't read already. I don't think I'll be the only one who feels this way.
Hope there's another one soon and can't wait to find out which classic is next!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I've been reading quite a lot of Manga Classics lately, but unfortunately this is for now the last in the series. Let me start by saying I hope there will be more soon because I liked this one and also the other I've read (Les Miserables, The Scarlet Letter, Emma and Pride & Prejudice).
The story is so well know that I don't think I need to discuss it. Instead, I'd like to say that although I haven't read the book I kind of knew the story from a BBC adaptation I watched a few years ago and I think it followed the story quite well (for as far as I can remember). It's only obvious that some details get lost when the story gets adapted into a 300 page manga.
I don't think this is necessarily a problem, since it's a great introduction or refresher in my opinion. It's not a substitute for reading the classics but an addition I like to read. This manga (as well as the others) have made me want to read the originals that I hadn't read already. I don't think I'll be the only one who feels this way.
Hope there's another one soon and can't wait to find out which classic is next!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 19, 2017
What can I say about this? It's a classic novel done with manga illustrations and it is just as awesome as it sounds!!
The illustrations are beautiful and the story is a slightly shortened version, all main points are in there and the non-needed are removed. Doesn't take anything away from the story and reads very well.
*Huge thanks to Udon Entertainment, Charles Dickens, Nokman Poon, Crystal S. Chan, Stacy King and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
The illustrations are beautiful and the story is a slightly shortened version, all main points are in there and the non-needed are removed. Doesn't take anything away from the story and reads very well.
*Huge thanks to Udon Entertainment, Charles Dickens, Nokman Poon, Crystal S. Chan, Stacy King and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
September 19, 2017
I haven't actually read Great Expectations, so maybe not the most informed review? That said, I've picked up a fair bit by cultural osmosis, so I didn't go in totally ignorant. More so than the other Manga Classics I've read so far, this one actually felt abridged. That didn't bother me, because I didn't know what I was missing, but I could tell. Again, standard manga style in the art. Nothing exceptionally good, and nothing exceptionally bad, either.
April 26, 2020
Thank you Netgalley and Udon Entertainment for this copy!
I enjoyed reading this adaptation of Great Expectations! I read the original novel in the past and I liked this manga as much as the original. The artwork was beautiful and the pacing was done well! I liked how the plot was entertaining and fast. I'd definitely recommend reading this manga if you're curious about reading any of Charles Dickens' works!
I enjoyed reading this adaptation of Great Expectations! I read the original novel in the past and I liked this manga as much as the original. The artwork was beautiful and the pacing was done well! I liked how the plot was entertaining and fast. I'd definitely recommend reading this manga if you're curious about reading any of Charles Dickens' works!
December 19, 2015
* I received an eARC of this manga from the publisher (UDON Entertainment) via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
UDON Entertainment takes us again to a new literary landscape through the publication of one of Charles Dickens’s finest novel in a Manga format titled, The Great Expectation. I have yet to read any of Charles Dickens’s great literary works so I don’t have any idea about his original work so this review will not be compared against the original version. Apart from the two Manga Classics I’ve read (Austen’s Emma and Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter), the adaptation of The Great Expectation by Charles Dickens was probably my favorite. I particularly liked the portrayal of characters in this manga edition, everything were so on point: the emotions, the artwork, the story line and the setting coupled by the artist’s and writer’s unique interpretation.
The Great Expectation is the thirteenth novel scrupulously written by Charles Dickens and is set in the mid-1800s. Compared to Jane Austen’s Emma, this one is a bit dark and delivers a poignant look on love and loyalty. The story is centered around themes like revenge, betrayal, forgiveness, secrecy, family relationships, one-sided love, indifference and selfishness.
When the dialogue says Estella is a beautiful girl, the graphic artists literally mean it. I couldn’t picture her in any other way but this:
I didn’t know that art could be this powerful. By looking at Miss Havisham, it gives me a creepy feeling I couldn’t understand. I was seemingly moved by how beautiful and very intriguing Charles Dickens’ story was.
THE GREAT & FAVORITE PART
THE INTERPRETATION
I perceived these lines like this: “Who give you the right to ask for something you didn’t even give to me? You are asking me for love when you yourself, didn’t show me what love truly is. You are asking me of something I was denied for. Take me as I am. As you wanted me to be.”
Simple response yet so powerful.
THE VAGUE ENDING
I’ve learned that there were two endings in the original book of Great Expectations. In the Manga Classics version they chose to have an open ending; an evil cliffhanger that will depend on reader’s imagination. I was greatly satisfied with the Manga’s indistinct ending. Whatever the ending would be, I was contented with the clear message behind the conflict resolution regardless of the absence or presence of happily ever after. The creators decided to have an open ending because according to them and I quote, “We wanted to make the point that the romantic relationship between Pip and Estella (or lack thereof) is not the most important part of the story.” In the manga edition, the writers and artists weaved and presented Pip and Magwitch relationship pivotal to the story.
The entire story was not only focused on the unrequited love of Pip and Estella’s indifference but it also teaches us about the ugly side of BETRAYAL & REVENGE; the beauty of FORGIVENESS; the value of ACCEPTANCE; the importance of FRIENDSHIP and how great SELFLESS LOVE can be.
I love the graphics, the writing style and the entire book in general. I think I enjoyed this one more than the Manga Classic Emma. The artwork was just so beautiful. The authors and the artists handled Dicken’s novel remarkably well. I loved how they covered almost all of the essential parts.
Here’s the thing, if you wanted to learn or to know something about one of the greatest literary piece of all time but you don’t have so much time, read this manga. In less than an hour, you will have a glimpse about the original work filled with artistic visual graphics.
I would highly recommend this manga to anyone. The artists and the authors behind this manga made the literary classic novel accessible to everyone.
*Thank you UDON Entertainment for sending me an advanced copy of another Manga Classics! :D
Review also posted here: HARDWORK BOULEVARD
UDON Entertainment takes us again to a new literary landscape through the publication of one of Charles Dickens’s finest novel in a Manga format titled, The Great Expectation. I have yet to read any of Charles Dickens’s great literary works so I don’t have any idea about his original work so this review will not be compared against the original version. Apart from the two Manga Classics I’ve read (Austen’s Emma and Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter), the adaptation of The Great Expectation by Charles Dickens was probably my favorite. I particularly liked the portrayal of characters in this manga edition, everything were so on point: the emotions, the artwork, the story line and the setting coupled by the artist’s and writer’s unique interpretation.
The Great Expectation is the thirteenth novel scrupulously written by Charles Dickens and is set in the mid-1800s. Compared to Jane Austen’s Emma, this one is a bit dark and delivers a poignant look on love and loyalty. The story is centered around themes like revenge, betrayal, forgiveness, secrecy, family relationships, one-sided love, indifference and selfishness.
When the dialogue says Estella is a beautiful girl, the graphic artists literally mean it. I couldn’t picture her in any other way but this:
I didn’t know that art could be this powerful. By looking at Miss Havisham, it gives me a creepy feeling I couldn’t understand. I was seemingly moved by how beautiful and very intriguing Charles Dickens’ story was.
THE GREAT & FAVORITE PART
MISS HAVISHAM: “I want your love.”
ESTELLA: “I am what you have made me. What would you have from me?”
“I am beginning to understand. If you raised you adopted daughter in the dark confines of this room, and hid from her the existence of sunlight; and then expected her to know all about the sun, would you be not disappointed? I must be taken as I have been made.”
THE INTERPRETATION
I perceived these lines like this: “Who give you the right to ask for something you didn’t even give to me? You are asking me for love when you yourself, didn’t show me what love truly is. You are asking me of something I was denied for. Take me as I am. As you wanted me to be.”
Simple response yet so powerful.
THE VAGUE ENDING
“And will continue friends apart.”
I’ve learned that there were two endings in the original book of Great Expectations. In the Manga Classics version they chose to have an open ending; an evil cliffhanger that will depend on reader’s imagination. I was greatly satisfied with the Manga’s indistinct ending. Whatever the ending would be, I was contented with the clear message behind the conflict resolution regardless of the absence or presence of happily ever after. The creators decided to have an open ending because according to them and I quote, “We wanted to make the point that the romantic relationship between Pip and Estella (or lack thereof) is not the most important part of the story.” In the manga edition, the writers and artists weaved and presented Pip and Magwitch relationship pivotal to the story.
The entire story was not only focused on the unrequited love of Pip and Estella’s indifference but it also teaches us about the ugly side of BETRAYAL & REVENGE; the beauty of FORGIVENESS; the value of ACCEPTANCE; the importance of FRIENDSHIP and how great SELFLESS LOVE can be.
I love the graphics, the writing style and the entire book in general. I think I enjoyed this one more than the Manga Classic Emma. The artwork was just so beautiful. The authors and the artists handled Dicken’s novel remarkably well. I loved how they covered almost all of the essential parts.
Here’s the thing, if you wanted to learn or to know something about one of the greatest literary piece of all time but you don’t have so much time, read this manga. In less than an hour, you will have a glimpse about the original work filled with artistic visual graphics.
I would highly recommend this manga to anyone. The artists and the authors behind this manga made the literary classic novel accessible to everyone.
*Thank you UDON Entertainment for sending me an advanced copy of another Manga Classics! :D
Review also posted here: HARDWORK BOULEVARD
May 22, 2016
Find this review and more fantastical things at The Leaning Tower of Tomes.
The mini-review:
Manga Classics adapt the classics we all know and love in the manga comic format and art style. I’ve read and loved the manga adaptations of Les Miserables and Pride and Prejudice, so I was thrilled that my library had Great Expectations! These are hefty books, around 300 pages, but they fly by so quickly! This one happens to be an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, and, while it obviously had to cut a huge amount of the original story, it does a very good job of remaining (relatively? I’ll get to that in a moment) faithful to the original story.
Back to the “relatively” from the previous paragraph: I haven’t actually, uh, read Great Expectations, so I’m perhaps not the best judge of how much was cut for this manga. But I have watched the 2011 BBC miniseries, which I liked for the most part (Douglas Booth’s cheekbones and jawline are unreal), and which garnered generally positive reviews. From what I remember of the miniseries, the manga mirrors it well. But… I guess I should go and read the real Great Expectations? Because I totally missed out on that in high school. (I have read A Christmas Carol, however, so you can’t say I’ve never read Dickens.)
I think the main gripe I have with Great Expectations, in any format, is how unlikable Estella is, and how arrogant and different Pip becomes. I like the mystery behind Miss Havisham, Magwitch, and Compeyson, as they are far more interesting characters, despite being strange and quite hard to decipher.
But besides the fault of Dickens, and not this manga, which I am reviewing today, this is a great visual adaptation to ease readers into Great Expectations or give those who have already read the book a new way to look at the story. The illustrations are simply gorgeous, and the dialogue, for the most part, is pretty straightforward. (There was one instance, though, where Pip called Orlick a “punk” and I had to laugh. Did “punk” even exist in the early to mid-1800s?) Anyway, I highly recommend the Manga Classics series. They’re also a terrific way to get into manga in general, as they tell familiar stories most of us are familiar with. ♦
So tell me...
Have you read Manga Classics: Great Expectations? If you haven’t, would you be interested to? What is a manga you’ve read and recommend? I want your suggestions! Comment below letting me know!
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The mini-review:
Manga Classics adapt the classics we all know and love in the manga comic format and art style. I’ve read and loved the manga adaptations of Les Miserables and Pride and Prejudice, so I was thrilled that my library had Great Expectations! These are hefty books, around 300 pages, but they fly by so quickly! This one happens to be an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, and, while it obviously had to cut a huge amount of the original story, it does a very good job of remaining (relatively? I’ll get to that in a moment) faithful to the original story.
Back to the “relatively” from the previous paragraph: I haven’t actually, uh, read Great Expectations, so I’m perhaps not the best judge of how much was cut for this manga. But I have watched the 2011 BBC miniseries, which I liked for the most part (Douglas Booth’s cheekbones and jawline are unreal), and which garnered generally positive reviews. From what I remember of the miniseries, the manga mirrors it well. But… I guess I should go and read the real Great Expectations? Because I totally missed out on that in high school. (I have read A Christmas Carol, however, so you can’t say I’ve never read Dickens.)
I think the main gripe I have with Great Expectations, in any format, is how unlikable Estella is, and how arrogant and different Pip becomes. I like the mystery behind Miss Havisham, Magwitch, and Compeyson, as they are far more interesting characters, despite being strange and quite hard to decipher.
But besides the fault of Dickens, and not this manga, which I am reviewing today, this is a great visual adaptation to ease readers into Great Expectations or give those who have already read the book a new way to look at the story. The illustrations are simply gorgeous, and the dialogue, for the most part, is pretty straightforward. (There was one instance, though, where Pip called Orlick a “punk” and I had to laugh. Did “punk” even exist in the early to mid-1800s?) Anyway, I highly recommend the Manga Classics series. They’re also a terrific way to get into manga in general, as they tell familiar stories most of us are familiar with. ♦
So tell me...
Have you read Manga Classics: Great Expectations? If you haven’t, would you be interested to? What is a manga you’ve read and recommend? I want your suggestions! Comment below letting me know!
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December 1, 2018
If you have read Great Expectations by Charles Dickens then you know what this book is about. And if you haven’t read it, then you still probably know what this is about. I enjoyed reading this and it was an interesting format to give me a good change of pace. If you haven’t read this well loved classic because you either tried and couldn’t get into it or this doesn’t seem like your type of read, then I recommend giving the Manga version a try. The pictures give it a whole other level to the story.
January 17, 2020
No conocía este libro de Dickens cuando mi tía me regaló la adaptación en manga por Navidad, y leerlo de esta manera me ha encantado.
Las ilustraciones son preciosas, en serio, así como la historia, con un mensaje claro de que, al final, lo importante son las personas de las que te rodeas y se preocupan por ti más que las riquezas o el estatus.
A veces es cierto que me hacía un poco de lío con la trama, más que nada por los nombres de los personajes (y porque leía a escondidas en momentos en los que se supone que tenía que estudiar).
En algún momento, por supuesto, me leeré la novela.
Las ilustraciones son preciosas, en serio, así como la historia, con un mensaje claro de que, al final, lo importante son las personas de las que te rodeas y se preocupan por ti más que las riquezas o el estatus.
A veces es cierto que me hacía un poco de lío con la trama, más que nada por los nombres de los personajes (y porque leía a escondidas en momentos en los que se supone que tenía que estudiar).
En algún momento, por supuesto, me leeré la novela.
October 31, 2015
I was shocked when I saw this. I didn’t thought there were classics like these one! The idea’s amazing. What I love about this idea and the book ofcourse is that.. it gives more life to the story. And also, it gives young readers the chance to understand the story better. I hope to read this kind of MANGAs soon! I really enjoyed flipping the pages and looking at the beautiful illustrations. Such a wonderful book!
September 28, 2018
3,75
"It is a wonderful thing to have great expectations!"
I really enjoyed this manga. I read Dickens' book a few years ago and I did not remember much, just something here and there.
In this manga I really liked the characterization of the characters and the places. The drawings are beautiful and perfect for the story, the choices of the scenes very apt. I liked how they designed Pip's growth. Even the situations are well represented. When there is need of suspense, images create suspense, when there is need of some anxiety and fear the images convey those sensations, thanks to the chosen shots. Now that I'm talking about framing I can say maybe that I almost seemed to see a movie or an anime instead of reading the manga.
A very good read, suitable to bring the most difficult readers closer to Dickens and the classics. As always, the publisher does not disappoint.
*I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
"It is a wonderful thing to have great expectations!"
I really enjoyed this manga. I read Dickens' book a few years ago and I did not remember much, just something here and there.
In this manga I really liked the characterization of the characters and the places. The drawings are beautiful and perfect for the story, the choices of the scenes very apt. I liked how they designed Pip's growth. Even the situations are well represented. When there is need of suspense, images create suspense, when there is need of some anxiety and fear the images convey those sensations, thanks to the chosen shots. Now that I'm talking about framing I can say maybe that I almost seemed to see a movie or an anime instead of reading the manga.
A very good read, suitable to bring the most difficult readers closer to Dickens and the classics. As always, the publisher does not disappoint.
*I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
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