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Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne's powerful tale of forbidden love, shame and revenge comes to life in this manga presentation of the classic story. When Hester Prynne bears an illegitimate child, she is introduced to the ugliness, complexity, and ultimately the strength of the human spirit. Though set in a Puritan community during the Colonial American period, the moral dilemmas of personal responsibility and consuming emotions of guilt, anger, loyalty and revenge are timeless. This beautiful manga retelling of Hawthorne's classic American novel is faithfully adapted by Crystal S. Chan and features stunning artwork by SunNeko Lee which will give old and new readers alike a fresh insight into this tragic saga of Puritan America.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2015
5 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Nathaniel Hawthorne
5,344 books3,513 followersNathaniel Hawthorne was a 19th century American novelist and short story writer. He is seen as a key figure in the development of American literature for his tales of the nation's colonial history.
Shortly after graduating from Bowdoin College, Hathorne changed his name to Hawthorne. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. In 1837, he published Twice-Told Tales and became engaged to painter and illustrator Sophia Peabody the next year. He worked at a Custom House and joined a Transcendentalist Utopian community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before returning to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, leaving behind his wife and their three children.
Much of Hawthorne's writing centers around New England and many feature moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. His work is considered part of the Romantic movement and includes novels, short stories, and a biography of his friend, the United States President Franklin Pierce.
Shortly after graduating from Bowdoin College, Hathorne changed his name to Hawthorne. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. In 1837, he published Twice-Told Tales and became engaged to painter and illustrator Sophia Peabody the next year. He worked at a Custom House and joined a Transcendentalist Utopian community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before returning to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, leaving behind his wife and their three children.
Much of Hawthorne's writing centers around New England and many feature moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. His work is considered part of the Romantic movement and includes novels, short stories, and a biography of his friend, the United States President Franklin Pierce.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 18, 2025
Enjoyed this quite a bit and glad my first manga was this one. I vaguely remember reading the original and liked this fresh take.
May 19, 2022
Remaining amazingly true to the original novel, the illustrations and dialogue bring new life to a classic and allow the tale to resonate with another branch of readers.
The story is as anyone whose read the book already knows—Hester Prynne gives birth to an illegitimate child and must face the town's wrath, hate, and gossip during Colonial times in a Puritan community. And this manga brings exactly this tale across, staying very true to the original.
First, for those who are new to the manga world, there are instructions on how to approach this type of novel (as they are read in a different direction than our Western world is accustom to). Then, it starts with the writer's finding of his ancestor's notes, which inspires him to recapture Hester's tale. I was wondering how all of this would flow...whether it would be lighter, changed, different atmosphere and such. But this is a very serious read, which brings across the exact same atmosphere, scenes, characterization and circumstances.
The settings and scenes, of course, pick up mostly in the illustrations, and these do a great job at making the time visual while keeping it simple. Little details like Hester's 'A' poke forward with a subtle intensity to make the scenes and importance sit. I was also impressed at how well the emotions and characters are brought across. The illustrator takes care to capture each one with the right features and let their personalities shine without over doing it, either. The dialogue did meld a bit away from the original, but only in the sense that it was easier to read and understand. I even found this aspect well done.
Of course, classic lovers and those, who really want to dive into the novel, will probably want to grab up the original, but this form does a great job at offering a slightly different point of view without altering the main strings. It is easier to digest and is even worth a peek from those, who do adore the original novel. To say that it is probably more inviting for the younger audience is, in my opinion, a given.
After reading this one, I'm more than curious to dive into the other manga classics in the series.
The story is as anyone whose read the book already knows—Hester Prynne gives birth to an illegitimate child and must face the town's wrath, hate, and gossip during Colonial times in a Puritan community. And this manga brings exactly this tale across, staying very true to the original.
First, for those who are new to the manga world, there are instructions on how to approach this type of novel (as they are read in a different direction than our Western world is accustom to). Then, it starts with the writer's finding of his ancestor's notes, which inspires him to recapture Hester's tale. I was wondering how all of this would flow...whether it would be lighter, changed, different atmosphere and such. But this is a very serious read, which brings across the exact same atmosphere, scenes, characterization and circumstances.
The settings and scenes, of course, pick up mostly in the illustrations, and these do a great job at making the time visual while keeping it simple. Little details like Hester's 'A' poke forward with a subtle intensity to make the scenes and importance sit. I was also impressed at how well the emotions and characters are brought across. The illustrator takes care to capture each one with the right features and let their personalities shine without over doing it, either. The dialogue did meld a bit away from the original, but only in the sense that it was easier to read and understand. I even found this aspect well done.
Of course, classic lovers and those, who really want to dive into the novel, will probably want to grab up the original, but this form does a great job at offering a slightly different point of view without altering the main strings. It is easier to digest and is even worth a peek from those, who do adore the original novel. To say that it is probably more inviting for the younger audience is, in my opinion, a given.
After reading this one, I'm more than curious to dive into the other manga classics in the series.
June 12, 2022
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne with art by SunNeko Lee and adaptation by Crystal S. Chan is the manga version of the classic The Scarlet Letter about a woman who, after cheating on her husband and having a baby with another man, must deal with with the repudiation of New England Puritan society.
I was always interested in the story of The Scarlet Letter, but I had never been able to read it. This version allowed me not only to know it but to love it because of how well built it is.
The story focuses on Hester, an English woman who traveled alone to New England and had an affair with a man while she was married. Hester ends up having a baby, but she never says who her father is, so she has to live alone with her daughter, and also is repudiated by the Puritan society of the time.
The characters are very interesting, although in this version there are some that are not well known, the main ones are developed very well. Hester is a woman who does not let the situation overwhelm her even when it is very difficult to have to live with the hatred of an entire city and to have to raise a daughter in those conditions completely alone. I really liked that she did not allow herself to be trampled by the different problems that arise and above all that this maintained the kindness with which she treats other citizens.
This edition is spectacular, it can be read quickly because the format is agile and entertaining. The language is not complicated as can be expected from a classic since almost all are dialogues here. The only color detail is the letter A in red and I think that is a wise decision as it makes it stand out a lot. Although I would have liked some situations that seem to exist in the original book to be more developed, I understand that perhaps it was not possible to do so because of the adaptation.
I will be looking for more of these editions and I think everyone should.
⚠️TW: abuse.
I was always interested in the story of The Scarlet Letter, but I had never been able to read it. This version allowed me not only to know it but to love it because of how well built it is.
The story focuses on Hester, an English woman who traveled alone to New England and had an affair with a man while she was married. Hester ends up having a baby, but she never says who her father is, so she has to live alone with her daughter, and also is repudiated by the Puritan society of the time.
The characters are very interesting, although in this version there are some that are not well known, the main ones are developed very well. Hester is a woman who does not let the situation overwhelm her even when it is very difficult to have to live with the hatred of an entire city and to have to raise a daughter in those conditions completely alone. I really liked that she did not allow herself to be trampled by the different problems that arise and above all that this maintained the kindness with which she treats other citizens.
This edition is spectacular, it can be read quickly because the format is agile and entertaining. The language is not complicated as can be expected from a classic since almost all are dialogues here. The only color detail is the letter A in red and I think that is a wise decision as it makes it stand out a lot. Although I would have liked some situations that seem to exist in the original book to be more developed, I understand that perhaps it was not possible to do so because of the adaptation.
I will be looking for more of these editions and I think everyone should.
⚠️TW: abuse.
September 20, 2024
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC!
I really liked the art in this. It's nice and simple and pleasant to look at. Unlike the other Manga Classic I read (A Study in Scarlet), I haven't read this before. I do feel like I missed a lot of the intricacies with this narrative because I only had the visual medium. The daughter in particular left me a bit confuzzled multiple times. Also not sure if the reveal of her father was supposed to be so obvious. I feel like it was, but who's to say? Overall, as someone only reading the manga version, I couldn't tell what was exaggerated for the medium or just direct 'translation.' Still, the story itself is strong, and I can see why it made such a strong impact as to become a classic. Also, again, pretty art :D
I really liked the art in this. It's nice and simple and pleasant to look at. Unlike the other Manga Classic I read (A Study in Scarlet), I haven't read this before. I do feel like I missed a lot of the intricacies with this narrative because I only had the visual medium. The daughter in particular left me a bit confuzzled multiple times. Also not sure if the reveal of her father was supposed to be so obvious. I feel like it was, but who's to say? Overall, as someone only reading the manga version, I couldn't tell what was exaggerated for the medium or just direct 'translation.' Still, the story itself is strong, and I can see why it made such a strong impact as to become a classic. Also, again, pretty art :D
April 3, 2024
It was nice to read and gave a good summary about what the scarlet letter is actually about. It allowed me to understand what I'm reading in the scarlet letter overall, so it's helpful for writing papers about the book.
September 17, 2025
Yeah, I hate this story. Pretty art though.
December 26, 2023
Revisiting this tale in an adapted format truly helped me develop a better understanding of some of its characters. When I read it as a teen in high school, the characters that captivated me were the cruel Chillingworth and the fey Pearl. In this adaptation, I still quite admire them, but the manga's free use of expression and its metaphorical shadows and imagery have helped me develop an appreciation for Hester and even Dimmsdale.
Hester's strength of character is impossible to miss, as I see the slights she must bear, her very charity refused by homeless beggars because they deem her sin that terrible. She eventually rises above it all and comes to be seen as a fount of wisdom, but there are many petty cruelties she has to bear before that point.
Dimmsdale is still not a character I am entirely fond of. His weakness is his defining feature, but the manga helps me see more into his inner torment and I find myself pitying him more than I did as a teen when he seemed annoyingly passive next to the other characters.
And of course, there are my old faves. I love the drama and imagery Chillingworth brings to the pages, a vengeful alchemist set on destroying a man's life. Pearl is wonderful, a true delight that baffles and endears herself to others around her with her inscrutable ways, knowing things no child her age should simply know.
I've also developed quite a liking for the governess's sister, talking of a man in the forest who makes people sign their name in blood, and promising other characters that she will see them there at their own signing.
Aside from the characters, the manga helps the novel move into another dimension of unreality, making it clear how much of this story is an allegory about the sins people hide and the ones that cannot be hidden, and what might be learned from a sin when you accept it. Whether or not you agree with that message of the novel, this retelling enriches it quite well, the splash of red from the titular letter A offsetting the gorgeous black and white renderings.
If the original language of the novel seems daunting, I would recommend giving this adaptation a try.
Hester's strength of character is impossible to miss, as I see the slights she must bear, her very charity refused by homeless beggars because they deem her sin that terrible. She eventually rises above it all and comes to be seen as a fount of wisdom, but there are many petty cruelties she has to bear before that point.
Dimmsdale is still not a character I am entirely fond of. His weakness is his defining feature, but the manga helps me see more into his inner torment and I find myself pitying him more than I did as a teen when he seemed annoyingly passive next to the other characters.
And of course, there are my old faves. I love the drama and imagery Chillingworth brings to the pages, a vengeful alchemist set on destroying a man's life. Pearl is wonderful, a true delight that baffles and endears herself to others around her with her inscrutable ways, knowing things no child her age should simply know.
I've also developed quite a liking for the governess's sister, talking of a man in the forest who makes people sign their name in blood, and promising other characters that she will see them there at their own signing.
Aside from the characters, the manga helps the novel move into another dimension of unreality, making it clear how much of this story is an allegory about the sins people hide and the ones that cannot be hidden, and what might be learned from a sin when you accept it. Whether or not you agree with that message of the novel, this retelling enriches it quite well, the splash of red from the titular letter A offsetting the gorgeous black and white renderings.
If the original language of the novel seems daunting, I would recommend giving this adaptation a try.
October 3, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Being a huge fan of the original novel, I was interested to see the fresh Manga Classic's interpretation of this important novel. They did a great job!
Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter offers a fresh and visually captivating take on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s timeless tale of sin, guilt, and redemption. Adapted by Crystal S. Chan and illustrated by SunNeko Lee, this manga version stays remarkably true to the original narrative while infusing it with the dynamic and expressive art style characteristic of manga.
The story follows Hester Prynne, a woman shunned by her Puritan community after bearing an illegitimate child. The manga captures the intense emotional landscape of Hester’s journey, from her public shaming to her quiet resilience and strength. The artwork vividly portrays the stark contrasts of Puritan society, the oppressive atmosphere, and the inner turmoil of the characters.
One of the exceptional features of this adaptation is how it makes the classic story accessible to a new generation of readers. The manga format, with its detailed illustrations and expressive character designs, brings a new depth to the characters’ emotions and the story’s dramatic moments. Hester’s scarlet letter “A” is depicted with a subtle yet powerful intensity, symbolizing her shame and strength.
This adaptation also includes helpful guides for readers new to manga, explaining how to read the panels and understand the flow of the story. This thoughtful inclusion ensures that even those unfamiliar with manga can fully appreciate the narrative.
Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter is a beautifully crafted adaptation that honors Hawthorne’s original work while offering a fresh perspective. It’s a must-read for fans of classic literature and manga enthusiasts alike, providing a unique and engaging way to experience this enduring story.
Being a huge fan of the original novel, I was interested to see the fresh Manga Classic's interpretation of this important novel. They did a great job!
Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter offers a fresh and visually captivating take on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s timeless tale of sin, guilt, and redemption. Adapted by Crystal S. Chan and illustrated by SunNeko Lee, this manga version stays remarkably true to the original narrative while infusing it with the dynamic and expressive art style characteristic of manga.
The story follows Hester Prynne, a woman shunned by her Puritan community after bearing an illegitimate child. The manga captures the intense emotional landscape of Hester’s journey, from her public shaming to her quiet resilience and strength. The artwork vividly portrays the stark contrasts of Puritan society, the oppressive atmosphere, and the inner turmoil of the characters.
One of the exceptional features of this adaptation is how it makes the classic story accessible to a new generation of readers. The manga format, with its detailed illustrations and expressive character designs, brings a new depth to the characters’ emotions and the story’s dramatic moments. Hester’s scarlet letter “A” is depicted with a subtle yet powerful intensity, symbolizing her shame and strength.
This adaptation also includes helpful guides for readers new to manga, explaining how to read the panels and understand the flow of the story. This thoughtful inclusion ensures that even those unfamiliar with manga can fully appreciate the narrative.
Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter is a beautifully crafted adaptation that honors Hawthorne’s original work while offering a fresh perspective. It’s a must-read for fans of classic literature and manga enthusiasts alike, providing a unique and engaging way to experience this enduring story.
May 3, 2024
Slight spoilers ahead! Beware! Lol
Same story line as the book so... still thought the book was okay. BUT, the illustrations were great! Love how they still kept the A scarlet throughout the black & white format!
Didn't love how people treated Hester, but liked that in time they saw she was a good person and stopped shaming her but praising her instead for her good deeds.
The men in her life sucked though. Her lover had been a "man of God"! He had sex with her and then let her take the fault all on her own! He was spineless and a hypocrite and her husband was driven mad with revenge.
I don't really think Hester had a right to judge her husband so harshly, as he did nothing to her, and I don't get why she liked her lover so much since he wasn't much better 🤷♀️
Also didn't like that they made Pearl seem almost demonic with her aggressive behavior, impossible insights, and descriptions. Just because a child was born out of wedlock, doesn't automatically make them anymore sinful than any other child.
The ending was a cop out too. Her lover never really paid for what he didn't take responsibility for. I will never understand that if "it was love" how a man can just then turn it off and never speak to the woman again smh
Idk, a lot about this story bugged me. And yet it also seemed a bit ahead of it's time when it came to Hestet's portrayal. I liked how the novel basically insisted the man was JUST as much to blame as the woman and should have been held accountable. Hester didn't sin alone and it was rare to admit this back in the day, especially in regards to "men of God".
Was glad the GN shortened the intro by a LOT haha
Had more the effect I think the author was going for in making us believe it was a historical account he found.
Same story line as the book so... still thought the book was okay. BUT, the illustrations were great! Love how they still kept the A scarlet throughout the black & white format!
Didn't love how people treated Hester, but liked that in time they saw she was a good person and stopped shaming her but praising her instead for her good deeds.
The men in her life sucked though. Her lover had been a "man of God"! He had sex with her and then let her take the fault all on her own! He was spineless and a hypocrite and her husband was driven mad with revenge.
I don't really think Hester had a right to judge her husband so harshly, as he did nothing to her, and I don't get why she liked her lover so much since he wasn't much better 🤷♀️
Also didn't like that they made Pearl seem almost demonic with her aggressive behavior, impossible insights, and descriptions. Just because a child was born out of wedlock, doesn't automatically make them anymore sinful than any other child.
The ending was a cop out too. Her lover never really paid for what he didn't take responsibility for. I will never understand that if "it was love" how a man can just then turn it off and never speak to the woman again smh
Idk, a lot about this story bugged me. And yet it also seemed a bit ahead of it's time when it came to Hestet's portrayal. I liked how the novel basically insisted the man was JUST as much to blame as the woman and should have been held accountable. Hester didn't sin alone and it was rare to admit this back in the day, especially in regards to "men of God".
Was glad the GN shortened the intro by a LOT haha
Had more the effect I think the author was going for in making us believe it was a historical account he found.
June 19, 2022
I have never read the original story this is based on and didn't have a clue what it was about! I definitely enjoyed this adaptation and feel like I have a good overview understanding of the story now, without having to wade through a classic text, which let's be honest, aren't always the easiest reads.
The story is about Hester, a young woman married off to an old man. The husband disappears for two years and Hester gets pregnant to another man, oopsies. She is forced to wear a scarlet letter A for adultery to mark her forever as a sinner. But then the husband comes back and instead of just getting mad like a normal person, he pretends to be someone else and befriends the man she cheated with so that he can insidiously get revenge on him.
The story is typically dramatic, as these classic stories often are, with people having mortal physical illness from their emotional state alone. I did feel sorry for Hester, she was a great character with a lot of strength and had to put up with a lot of crap from the men around her.
I really enjoyed the author's notes at the end about the adaptation. I think they did a great job of representing Hester's child, Pearl, as slightly odd and manic pixie dream girl esque.
Overall this seemed like a good adaptation of the story and a good way to become acquainted with it if you don't want to read the original text.
The story is about Hester, a young woman married off to an old man. The husband disappears for two years and Hester gets pregnant to another man, oopsies. She is forced to wear a scarlet letter A for adultery to mark her forever as a sinner. But then the husband comes back and instead of just getting mad like a normal person, he pretends to be someone else and befriends the man she cheated with so that he can insidiously get revenge on him.
The story is typically dramatic, as these classic stories often are, with people having mortal physical illness from their emotional state alone. I did feel sorry for Hester, she was a great character with a lot of strength and had to put up with a lot of crap from the men around her.
I really enjoyed the author's notes at the end about the adaptation. I think they did a great job of representing Hester's child, Pearl, as slightly odd and manic pixie dream girl esque.
Overall this seemed like a good adaptation of the story and a good way to become acquainted with it if you don't want to read the original text.
January 18, 2023
Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Scarlet Letter tells the tale of Hester Prynne. Her husband was away when she bore an illegitimate child. She was forced to wear a letter A on her chest for her adultery. She chooses to take the punishment and protect the father of her baby. It takes place in a Puritan community in the Americas before the United States became a country. It’s a powerful tale of forbidden love, shame, and revenge.
I’ve read Scarlet Letter and loved it, so I was interested in reading the manga version. I love manga because of the artwork and fast paced dialogue. I think this one followed the book pretty closely. I loved the storyline. I love the character of Hester Prynne. I think it took a lot of courage for her to be on display like that in front of her community.
I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys classic books and manga!
The Scarlet Letter tells the tale of Hester Prynne. Her husband was away when she bore an illegitimate child. She was forced to wear a letter A on her chest for her adultery. She chooses to take the punishment and protect the father of her baby. It takes place in a Puritan community in the Americas before the United States became a country. It’s a powerful tale of forbidden love, shame, and revenge.
I’ve read Scarlet Letter and loved it, so I was interested in reading the manga version. I love manga because of the artwork and fast paced dialogue. I think this one followed the book pretty closely. I loved the storyline. I love the character of Hester Prynne. I think it took a lot of courage for her to be on display like that in front of her community.
I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys classic books and manga!
August 27, 2022
4.5 rounded up
This is a manga adaptation of the classic 'The Scarlet Letter' - Hester is a woman caught committing adultery with an unknown man, producing her young daughter, Pearl. In punishment for this offence in a puritan society, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter A on her chest, embroidered into her clothing.
I had never read the Scarlet letter before, though I had a decent idea of the plot through popular culture. I loved the art style though I have to say I didn't really think Hester's facial expression changed often. I really enjoyed the story, and it has made me want to read the full story as some arcs were apparently removed for this adaptation. The story made complete sense on its own and I felt connected to the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from UDON Entertainment via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily
This is a manga adaptation of the classic 'The Scarlet Letter' - Hester is a woman caught committing adultery with an unknown man, producing her young daughter, Pearl. In punishment for this offence in a puritan society, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter A on her chest, embroidered into her clothing.
I had never read the Scarlet letter before, though I had a decent idea of the plot through popular culture. I loved the art style though I have to say I didn't really think Hester's facial expression changed often. I really enjoyed the story, and it has made me want to read the full story as some arcs were apparently removed for this adaptation. The story made complete sense on its own and I felt connected to the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from UDON Entertainment via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily
November 4, 2023
I read the original novel back in high school, and I really enjoyed the manga adaptation! The book stayed very true to the original novel and kept the important elements. The way the manga was adapted made it easier to understand. The book certainly kept the drama and the illustrations only heightened it! The manga kept the serious and darker tones of the original novel, and I appreciated that.
I felt sorry for Hester and grew to admire her. Pearl was such an interesting little girl. My heart was breaking for Arthur. Even though he was wronged, I really disliked her husband. There were so many things he could have done differently. The characters were very well portrayed and really drew you in.
Overall the manga was very well done and this is a great introduction to the classic novel! I’d definitely recommend this!
Read through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I felt sorry for Hester and grew to admire her. Pearl was such an interesting little girl. My heart was breaking for Arthur. Even though he was wronged, I really disliked her husband. There were so many things he could have done differently. The characters were very well portrayed and really drew you in.
Overall the manga was very well done and this is a great introduction to the classic novel! I’d definitely recommend this!
Read through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2022
Another excellent adaptation in the Manga Classics series! It’s an easy-to-read adaptation that is true enough to the original work to make this a great substitution for those who don’t want to tackle the original. I really enjoyed that the work was in black and white, but that the letter “A” was depicted in a bright red.
For anyone who has felt intimidated or uninterested in trying to read this work, I highly recommend this manga version. The manga style itself was cute and easy to read, making this a wonderful interpretation. My thanks to NetGalley and Manga Classics for allowing me to read and review this work.
For anyone who has felt intimidated or uninterested in trying to read this work, I highly recommend this manga version. The manga style itself was cute and easy to read, making this a wonderful interpretation. My thanks to NetGalley and Manga Classics for allowing me to read and review this work.
January 5, 2024
I feel absolutely lucky to have been able to get some of these Manga Classics. I absolutely love the artwork that is done in these books, and the use of color only being on the 'A'. I had never read this story before, but I enjoyed this retelling. I think these books are wonderful because they make the classics accessible to youth and make the language readable. I have read some of the classics in their original form, but it can be hard and take a couple re reads of sections to truly understand what is being said. These retellings make the info easy to grasp and fun to read.
I think these books are amazing adaptions and I can't wait to read more of them!
I think these books are amazing adaptions and I can't wait to read more of them!
August 27, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this manga
Awesome adaptation of the classic novel The Scarlet Letter! I read the original version a few years ago and although the story and themes are great, the writing style is dry and outdated, making it difficult to read and enjoy. This manga adaptation took the original story and modernized the language while also adding lovely illustrations. I can see this manga being a useful way to help understand the original material for students. This formatting also allows classic stories to be more accessible to a wider range of readers.
Awesome adaptation of the classic novel The Scarlet Letter! I read the original version a few years ago and although the story and themes are great, the writing style is dry and outdated, making it difficult to read and enjoy. This manga adaptation took the original story and modernized the language while also adding lovely illustrations. I can see this manga being a useful way to help understand the original material for students. This formatting also allows classic stories to be more accessible to a wider range of readers.
December 6, 2024
It does a great job of reinterpreting Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic tale of sin and redemption. The artwork is expressive and captures the somber mood of the story beautifully.
I appreciated how the manga format made the complex themes more accessible, allowing for a quicker read without losing the essence of the characters and their struggles. However, some of the intricate symbolism from the original text felt a bit diluted in this adaptation, which could leave readers wanting more depth.
Overall, this is a compelling and visually engaging introduction to Hawthorne’s work, making it a solid choice for both manga fans and those looking to explore classic literature.
I appreciated how the manga format made the complex themes more accessible, allowing for a quicker read without losing the essence of the characters and their struggles. However, some of the intricate symbolism from the original text felt a bit diluted in this adaptation, which could leave readers wanting more depth.
Overall, this is a compelling and visually engaging introduction to Hawthorne’s work, making it a solid choice for both manga fans and those looking to explore classic literature.
November 23, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought the art style for this manga was beautiful. This was my first time reading this classic and felt that this was the perfect way to go. I love the characters and story. It is hard reading this book sometimes because of the time period and how women were treated back in the Puritan and Colonial times. I thought the art brought the story to life and can not wait to read the classic again, but in the traditional book form.
I thought the art style for this manga was beautiful. This was my first time reading this classic and felt that this was the perfect way to go. I love the characters and story. It is hard reading this book sometimes because of the time period and how women were treated back in the Puritan and Colonial times. I thought the art brought the story to life and can not wait to read the classic again, but in the traditional book form.
April 30, 2024
An amazing adaptation of The Scarlet Letter to manga format! Most of the dialogue comes straight from the book. It cuts down the plot to the bare minimum. I read the full book back in high school, but a LOT of the subtext went over my head. Reading this made me want to go back and read the original again!
For some reason, the digital version through Kindle had left-to-right page swiping, but right-to-left text box reading. It was weird and there were a few times where full spreads were broken up--defeating the purpose of preserving the right-to-left orientation of the comic.
For some reason, the digital version through Kindle had left-to-right page swiping, but right-to-left text box reading. It was weird and there were a few times where full spreads were broken up--defeating the purpose of preserving the right-to-left orientation of the comic.
September 24, 2022
The art was fantastic, and the take on the genre was unique. Furthermore, the art style drew me deeper into the story. I liked the art style, but I didn't think Hester's expression changed all that much. I really liked the story, and it made me want to read the rest of it because some arcs were apparently cut for this adaptation. The story made perfect sense on its own, and I felt connected to it. I appreciated how true to the original this book was.
July 17, 2022
I think I’m going to make it my new goal to read through all of these classics via manga. I got more from this than I ever did from reading the original honestly. It’s just so much more enjoyable reading it in this format and incredibly easy to process and understand. If I had been able to read classics this way in high school, I would have never put them down.
September 14, 2023
WAYYYY more interesting way to present the story of the Scarlett Letter. The illustrations are beautiful and captivating. All the unnecessary fluff that Hawthorne likes to use to make his writing sound more “sophisticated” was also cut out. Wish I found this earlier to read instead for my AP lit summer reading assignment.
December 17, 2024
A great adaptation of a classic tale. While I would not recommend it as a replacement for the novel for, say, a school paper, this format makes the tale far more accessible to the average reader than it may be otherwise.
I appreciate also the design detail of having the "A" colored in, out of an entirely black and white comic. It drew attention to it in the way it would have in Hester's world.
I appreciate also the design detail of having the "A" colored in, out of an entirely black and white comic. It drew attention to it in the way it would have in Hester's world.
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March 31, 2025Didn't enjoy it, not my genre. I can see why it would be taught in school. Lots of symbolism, foreshadowing, etc. I disagreed with the moral messages. I would rate it one star but I don't want to put down the manga edition in particular because it's a beautiful work of art. I just didn't like the content personally.
September 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this. I never read the novel, as it is one of those "classics" i have zero interest in. But seeing it condensed into a easy to consume 300 page Manga was much better. I never realized the story was about puritans condemning a woman with a child born out of wedlock. Let alone the case of who the father is. I may need to try more of these to do the classics.
April 30, 2022
It was an amazing experience reading one of my favorite novels in manga form. This adaptation stays completely faithful to Hawthorne's original work while portraying it with absolutely beautiful artwork.
July 26, 2022
I read this as an eARC (even though this book has been published for years...) and enjoyed my experience as a newbie to manga. [I have several of these that I have read within a few days of each other so I will not vary my review from those.]
May 21, 2024
Amazingly true to the novel by Nathanial Hawthorne. I love the Scarlet Letter. Amazing novel and story. This was an enjoyable telling of the story. If you want to watch a film version, the 1930s black and white film starring Colleen Moore and Hardie Albright is the best!
September 18, 2025
Okay, I’ve GOT to read the original ASAP. Supposedly I read it in high school but have almost no memory of it, so I wanted to make sure I was going to like it by checking this manga adaptation out. I’m definitely going to use this method for a few other classics I’m hesitant to start.
May 20, 2022
Cute take on the classic. The original is one of my favorite books. I look forward to reading more of these!
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