Manga Classics: Midsummer Night's Dream

by Crystal S. Chan, William Shakespeare, Po Tse (Illustrator)

The King and the Queen of the Fairies are quarreling - and everyone around them must pay the price! The Duke of Athens and his bride-to-be, a company of hapless amateur actors, two pairs of star-crossed lovers... no one is safe from the wicked eye and cunning spells of the King's impish servant, Puck. Not even the Queen herself! Manga Classics brings you an easy-to-read version of A Midsummer Night's Dream with FULLY ADAPTED MODERN ENGLISH text of Shakespeare's charming play, coupled with lush visuals and fast-paced comedy.

Genres: Manga, Classics, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

308 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2021

About the author

Adaptation of classic novels into manga editions with Stacy King.

See also: Crystal King

Reviews

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This manga adaptation of Williams Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream is the perfect way to introduce Shakespeare to readers who might feel intimidated by the original play. The text is modernized, but still captures the original style of Shakespeare. The entire play is intact, and all the beauty of Shakespeare's words comes through wonderfully in this modern adaptation.

I am so impressed with the way the text was modernized, and with the integrity and thoughtfulness that went into editing it. It really does feel like something that Shakespeare would have written if he had been alive today. There is no jarring modern slang to ruin the beauty of the lines. It feels like someone just translated the words from another language, and made it easy to understand for modern readers, but without losing any of the flavor and emotion of the original text.

The beautiful artwork brings the play to life! Every page is just so gorgeous! The art is delicate and attractive. I love the designs for each character. Puck is adorable and mischievous. Oberon is scheming and laughing at everyone. Titania is glittering and beautiful. Hermia and Lysander are the perfect couple. Bottom is a bumbling fool! Their clothing, their facial expressions, their hair and eyes and body language; it all comes together to paint the perfect picture of these characters. They really come to life!

I have read and reread the original play of Midsummer Night's Dream at least twenty times, and it was such a delight to revisit this favorite story in manga form!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know what? I am just going to have to accept the fact that I really don't enjoy the story of A Midsummer Night's Dream. I get very frustrated with every single character at various points, except Helena. I actively dislike most of them, actually. And I don't like Helena enough to want to suffer through the rest of the story just for her. Unless it's the 1935 movie version, which I enjoy enough for the cast to watch it once in a great while.

However, the artwork is really fun and cute in this Manga Classics edition, so I didn't suffer too much reading it. I did put it down for like two months because I was so annoyed by everyone, though. But I finished it at last, whew. I thought they did a good job translating Shakespeare into modern English, and they even replaced most of his bawdier jokes with more kid-friendly ones. There's one moment where a character alludes to someone being upset whenever women refuse to open their thighs, but that's the only skanky spot, and it's pretty mild.

Not going to be a manga I reread, but it is very pretty, so there's that.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

One forest within Athens becomes the crossroads of amateur actors, lovers seeking freedom from a fate worse than death, and the quarrelling of Titania and Oberon, fairy royalty - but when trickster Puck is given a love spell, all parties find themselves caught up in a night of infatuated blunders! Chan and Tse bring new life to the Shakespearean classic with flowing prose and glamourous illustrations, an entertaining rendition for young readers that captures the original play's ethereal charms. Can so many hearts swayed find their true loves before the sun rises?

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not familiar with the source material. This didn't read like a comedy to me. It was boring and I wanted to get it done. I always thought I would love this story. Maybe if I watch a movie based on it and get the comedy aspect I'll revisit the rating. I've never felt that way about a book. The art is mostly beautiful. Rather bummed I didn't enjoy it.

[kritika ☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

- it was boring tbh
- the actor who got turned into the donkey was fr so funny +1 star for him
- "if only your beauty were like a cold, id try to catch it" 🥲

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern manga version of A Midsummer Night's Dream. I especially enjoyed the artwork featuring Puck, Oberon, and Titania.

[David Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this
Manga was a new format for me
The entire text is included and brought to life with the artistry

[Taleah Ushendibaba · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was honestly so goofy. Definitely what I needed during this reading slump.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art good, story... Shakespeare

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun way to experience my favorite Shakespeare play! The art style is charming (but all the characters are weirdly sexy) and the modern English version was interesting to experience. This would definitely be a good companion for anyone having a bit of trouble understanding the story in its original form.