The Scarlet Letter: Manga Classics

by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Crystal S. Chan (Adapted by), SunNeko Lee (Artist), Stacy King (Editor)

Overview

Nathaniel Hawthorne's powerful tale of forbidden love, shame and revenge comes to life in Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter. 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 Hawthorn’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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781927925331
Publisher:	UDON Entertainment Inc.
Publication date:	03/01/2015
Series:	Manga Classics Series
Pages:	350
Sales rank:	44,586
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist, Dark Romantic, and short story writer. Much of Hawthorne's writing centers on New England, many works featuring moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. His fiction works are considered part of the Romantic movement and, more specifically, Dark romanticism. His themes often center on the inherent evil and sin of humanity, and his works often have moral messages and deep psychological complexity. His published works include novels, short stories, and a biography of his college friend Franklin Pierce.

Crystal S. Chan is an award-winning author and television screen play writer. She holds a degree in language and literature. Crystal is a huge fan of authors such as Jane Austen and she is equally passionate about Sailor Moon. Her passion for classic literature combined with her love of the comics medium allows her to strike a solid balance between preserving the depth of the original content while adapting the language for a younger generation.

SunNeko Lee is a talented artist who works in two worlds: comics, and animation. At an early age she made her professional debut as a comic strip artist before moving to character design and storyboard work in the animation industry. SunNeko’s work for the Manga Classics project allows her to celebrate her passion for the comic arts. Lee’s artist alias, SunNeko, combines her love of cats and the warmth of the sun (Neko is cat in Japanese).

Date of Birth:

July 4, 1804

Date of Death:

May 19, 1864

Place of Birth:

Salem, Massachusetts

Place of Death:

Plymouth, New Hampshire

Education:

Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, 1824

Editorial Reviews

"I can say that it made me want to pick up The Scarlet Letter and actually give it a second chance. This manga was a super quick read, but one that was emotional and intriguing. I couldn't put it down until I was done! " - NetGalley.com

From the Publisher

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. Reviewer: Laura C. Perenic; Ages 12 to 18.

VOYA, June 2015 (Vol. 38, No. 2) - Laura C. Perenic

06/01/2015
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

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