ALA Booklist (Mon Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

Part of the Manga Classics series, this is exactly what it sounds like: an adaptation of Hawthorne's classic story into the manga format. It's been a staple of school reading lists for decades, and some might think it impossible for a graphic novel to take the place of the original prose. Naysayers might be surprised at how well this volume succeeds. Detailed black-and-white illustrations cept for flashes of Hester's red A nvey Dimmesdale's shame, Chillingworth's vengefulness, and Pearl's naive otherworldliness. Much of the original dialogue has been kept intact, and the story flows easily, with the illustrations there to help readers unfamiliar with nineteenth-century English. At just over 300 pages, the book is long enough that very little of the original story has been left out, and what is missing is referenced in the end notes. Will a manga ever truly replace classic prose? Probably not. But this works well as a companion for teens struggling with the original and an entertaining option for adults who were supposed to read the book in high school but never did.

School Library Journal (Mon Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

Gr 7 Up-In 17th-century Puritan Boston, acts deemed a sin were severely punished. For the crime of adultery, Hester must bear her shame upon her chest in the form of a scarlet A. Even when society denounces her and her daughter, she holds her head high and refuses to reveal the name of her child's father. It is her husband who eventually discerns the truth, and by causing Reverend Dimmesdale's guilt to fester, he poisons his own heart. Visually, this manga adaptation of the classic is stunning. Hawthorne's text translates to this format perfectly, and readers will be able to infer the characters' internal struggles from this emotive art. Manga rarely has color, yet here, among these theatrical screentones, the letter A glares back in accusatory crimson. Close-ups of this crest best exemplify the finely detailed line art found throughout. Hester's principles, acknowledgment of her sin, and ability to endure the judgment and hypocrisy of others is worthy of admiration. Even in this more modernized narrative, the spirit of Hawthorne's eloquent language remains. VERDICT Thanks to this faithful and accessible adaptation, this classic's tale of love, sin, and the strength of a single mother will reach a whole new audience. Rachel Forbes, Oakville Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Voice of Youth Advocates

The Manga Classics series has created graphic novel adaptations of great literary works like Dickens's Great Expectations and Hugo's Les Miserables. Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter tells the story of sinner Hester Prynne and her child, Pearl, who was born of an adulterous relationship. Remaining faithful, Hester refuses to reveal the name of Pearl's father despite constant pressure by the church and the townspeople. Destined to wear a garish red letter A on her chest, Hester succeeds in remaining pious and charitable. The drama and mystery surrounding Reverend Dimmesdale's and Dr. Chillingworth's motivations leaves the reader with many clues but few facts. As with the original novel, aspects of the story are open to interpretation and make for an angst-ridden but unsatisfying ending.The black-and-white manga illustrations are detailed and expressive, allowing the artist to convey the Puritan setting with a Japanese aesthetic. Only the scarlet letter Hester wears is shown in red, which is both captivating and disappointing since seeing the entire work in color would have been very impactful. Hester's skill with embroidery and Pearl's red outfits cannot truly be appreciated in black and white. The story had to be significantly edited, and there are places in the story line where the author makes some leaps that the reader cannot follow. Hopefully no student would be foolish enough to read this for a school assignment; however, it would be great to use in a comparative assignment, such as the book and its movie or other adaptation.Laura C. Perenic.