What happens when a woman breaks the foundational rules of the Puritan beliefs? As a part of the Puritan community, she is forced to wear the letter “A” in scarlet on her chest at all times, to represent the adultery she committed. She refuses to expose both the child’s father and her own husband, despite the township’s demands. But secrets run deep and even the best in the community may yet be revealed as hypocrites to the faith they so strongly uphold.

Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter is a classic rewritten. It takes the renowned The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and illustrates it with gorgeous manga. This version of the tale keeps to the original as much as it is able, including the most important scenes, characters, and plot. The tone of the story and the characters from the classic version are upheld well, showing the impishness of little Pearl and the stoic bitterness of her mother. The dense, descriptive prose that nearly defines Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter could not be communicated in this Manga version, however. Manga is known more for its illustrations and plot, making the descriptive prose nearly impossible to communicate. The speech of the characters was also written in a more modern style to accommodate the younger readers the creators hoped to draw with the Manga adaption.

Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter is a beautifully crafted Manga perfect for readers who wish to experience a classic without wading through the dense prose. But I would still recommend reading the original to get the full effect of the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions shared are expressly my own.

Not the best revival of A Scarlet Letter, but the artwork is beautiful.

A fantastic adaptation of a great classic. The visuals certainly give the story an edge that I don't recall thinking about or feeling when I read the book years ago. What an eye opener and so fun.

A classic represented perfectly in another great manga adaptation. Even though I‘m not a fan of dramas, I read the Scarlet Letter in my Bachelor and I enjoyed it more that I thought I would.

The original novel takes place in Puritan Boston in the 17th century. A young woman, Hester Prynne, stands accused of adultery. Her husband, a scholar much older than her is claimed as dead and while waiting his return Hester takes a lover and has a child fruit of that affair. Refusing to name the identity of the father, Hester’s punishments are to carry a scarlet letter A on her breast and public shaming. Amongst the crowd, Hester’s missing husband, calling himself Roger Chillingworth, observes and swears to take revenge on the unknown man that ruined both their lives.

Once again the artwork is amazing and it represents perfectly the emotions and the meanings of the original novel. The adaptation is perfect, the characters have depth and all the emotions that I felt when I read The Scarlet Letter for the first time, resurfaced. I could practically see the tension between Hester’s husband and lover! Hester proves to be a very strong and passionate female character. She endures her punishment and after she is banished from the Boston community, she makes intelligent and accurate observations on the social behaviour that makes this period of history. Roger Chillinworth is, for me, the villain of this story. His thirst for revenge and his obsession make him a very dangerous character. I think of him has being arrogant and self-absorbed. Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, Pearl’s father, it’s not the strongest male character. The young theologian is tormented both physically and psychologically by his sin of having an affair with Hester.

I really liked the original novel and its depth and this brilliant adaptation deserves all its 5 stars! Can’t wait to read more Manga Classics!