Manga Classics: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

I love these manga versions of the classics so much, and this was no exception. They seem to keep getting better and better. I had to read this book in school, but I think reading the manga version, or having the choice at least, would open this story up to so many more kids that just don't read the assigned book(s) for class. This makes it easier to read an understand and you can still connect well with the characters. The art work was great, the story line is amazing. I would recommend this book. 5 out of 5 stars.

Like all other works in this series, this manga is true to the original book and helps visualise Huck's journey and adventures with his black runaway slave Jim. While the themes of friendship and search for freedom are universal, the narrative heavily relies on culture specific issues of Southern USA countries and the strong if not excessive use of Southern slang shows it, making it possibly difficult for readers from different backgrounds to entirely relate to and enjoy the story. If you are familiar with Mark Twain and like his books you will like this manga too.

I actually found this much easier to understand than the original works. It was simple but sweet and I liked it a lot.

Perfect for nonreaders , who need to read the classics, and in a format that they can relate to and love. My teens enjoyed it.

I received a copy of Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is another flawless adaptation into Manga done by the wonderful Chrystal Chan and Chan (the artist). I’ve now read a handful of the Manga Classics, and I’ve got to say, I am still in love with the concept. Converting classics into Manga form creates beautiful and approachable works of art. Chrystal is skilled at adapting the plots into the shorter length required by the style and Chan is fantastic at drawing all the details that would otherwise be lost when cutting descriptions. Together they’re a fantastic team capable of creating fascinating works.
I really enjoyed the adaptation for the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. While there are many parts of the story itself I do not love, I have no intention on blaming the manga version for that. I have to admit I was absolutely tickled seeing Huck in Manga form. Perhaps it is just me, but he totally reminded me of Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist. Needless to say the similarity made me even fonder of Huck than I had been previously (though I had not thought to consider Huck a “pretty” boy before this). I feel like the pacing was better done in the adaptation as well, and can easily see many people having an easier time getting through this version (not to disparage the classic of course).
There were certainly multiple points in the novel that were enhanced by the imagery style used. Huck dressing as a girl is an obvious one of course. Another scene that I felt was more impactful was the section containing the feuding families (the Grangerfords and the Shephersons). I felt the loss more keenly than I ever had while reading the original. There were many other scenes as well, but that one in particular really struck me.

The classic tale of Huckleberry Finn and Jim comes to life in a new way with the Manga Classics version. Anyone who has ever wanted to read the classics, but hasn’t, should check out this version. In a visual graphic novel format, the story is brought to a new audience.

This Manga version follows the Japanese convention of being read right to left and back to front. This is easy to do and you will get the hang of it fast.

The artwork in this series is exceptionally well-done and the characters are visualized with period costumes that have been researched by the illustrators to assure accuracy.

The original text is included in this version, rather than a sanitized abridged version. That means all the racially offensive language used in the original is here. However, it is known that Mark Twain wrote this book as a condemnation of slavery and that the situations presented were his way of criticizing this institution. It was controversial back then and it continues to be controversial even now. (This is a book that is often on lists of banned books.) The Manga version is true to the author’s original intent and keeps these elements. If you use this text in your classroom, the issues and controversies should be a part of the conversation with your students. What was Twain’s story intended to point out to society at the time? What in this story is still relevant today?

Educators could easily use the Manga Classics series as assigned reading in English classes as a way to introduce students to these tales. Mark Twain was an original and there have been few authors who have reached as large an audience as his writings have. I recommend this book to any teacher who wishes to have their students become familiar with classic literature.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance reader copy.

This beautifully illustrated graphic novel published by Udon Entertainment is a delight to read. It brings the adventures of Huckleberry Finn to life in a way that an ordinary novel can’t. I am completely hooked on this genre! I love how the books are mainly composed of conversations between the characters with a small amount of narration throughout. The pictures tell the story in a way that adds to my enjoyment, and also quickly shows actions and emotions.

Children love graphic novels, and It’s a wonderful way to introduce them to the joy of reading. The pictures help young readers understand what is happening in the story. As an adult, I love graphic novels because they give me the opportunity to quickly read classic books that I have never read before or go back to ones I’ve read in the past and don’t remember well. In the case of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, I can remember some of this book from years ago, and it appears to be a good adaptation.

I recommend these books to all ages. Why should children be the only ones to enjoy to wonderfully done books like this. Not only are they great to read, but part of the fun is reading them backwards!

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, is an illustrated Manga Classic book retelling a well-known story in a complete illustrated format. The stories target readers who enjoy action and adventure. Since this is a Manga book and is read differently than others types of books, a brief but detailed explanation is provided as well.
I found the story engaging and humorous, and the detailed characters came alive. For those unfamiliar with the story, it is a satire of the times a hundred plus years ago. Parts definitely aren’t considered ‘PC’ by today’s standards. Yet with the issue of slavery—very real in the society of his time, we find our main character engaged in a battle of conscience between what he has learned as a child and what his senses tell him. His love for a friend, even though a slave and considered of low value in his day, fights against his upbringing, that is well reflected in this story.
More than this is Mark Twain’s opinions on humanity. People are either suckers or being suckered. Bullies or bullied. What I find interesting is that people don’t change much on a hundred years and there still seem to be plenty of people willing to believe outlandish things. All of this is humorously reflected in the story and brought to life in this Manga book.
This book was a quick and thoroughly enjoyable read, and hard to put down. I heartily recommend it for readers who enjoy history, action and adventure. Highly recommended.

A wonderful adaptation of Mark Twain's Adventure of Huckleberry Finn into manga form! I think the authors and illustrators did an excellent job of condensing the story into a small volume without losing the integrity or flavor of the story. I love how the various accents of the characters are preserved, but the dialogue is still clear and easily understood.

The artwork brings a lot of emotion into the story, and firmly connects the reader to the characters. Seeing the expressions on character's faces as they experience joy, grief, fear, sadness, or relief, made me feel those things too as I was reading!

This book, of course, deals with many difficult topics like slavery, and the skewed moral code that Huck has been exposed to. Seeing Huck grappling with his conscience, and trying to determine what is "right" is what makes this story such a classic. I thought this adaptation did a superb job of showing Huck's internal struggle between what "civilized society" tells him is right, and what his heart tells him is true and right.

Beautiful manga of this favorite classic!

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

The Manga Classics version of Huckleberry Finn has remained true to the original novel by Mark Twain, doing its best to keep language and themes intact. The forward states that, rather than burying the past, the Manga Classics version seeks to help students “think critically about current racial slurs and stereotypes by tracing them back to their historical origins, and examining the intent and viewpoints of those associated with them.” In other words, the story hasn't been sugar-coated to make people feel more comfortable. They should feel uncomfortable. The original story was a cutting commentary on racial and class attitudes, which are issue still relevant today.

Huckleberry Finn, our titular hero, is a young boy living with the widow Douglas and Miss Watson, as his abusive drunkard of a father is often gone for weeks on end. One day, Pap kidnaps Huck and carts him off to live in the forst, locking Huck up when he wants to leave. Huck escapes, laying out a near perfect ruse to make it seem the cabin had been broken into and Huck killed. Not long after, Huck meets Jim, the slave belonging to Miss Watson, who ran away after overhearing he was to be sold. Unfortunately, Huck learns that it is believed Jim killed him, not his Pap. Together, the two set off on the river, heading for the safety of the free states. Along the way they forge a friendship, and get into all kinds of adventure, especially once Duke and King invite themselves along for the trip.

I enjoyed reading this translation of Huckleberry Finn. The artwork is amazing, and really complements the story. The writing is full of the colloquial speech of the original. At times, it did take me a moment to suss out the meaning, but for the most part, I found it easy to understand. I recall reading the book in high school, way back when. It was a good read then, but I kinda wish we'd have had this version instead! I loved seeing Huck grow in the realisation that yes, Jim is just as human as 'white folks’, with all the same feelings, hopes, and dreams. He decides to follow his intuition and heart, freeing Jim when the runaway slave is sold back into slavery by the pair’s unscrupulous traveling companion, the King.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Udon House for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Ok I know that the original novel has some very problematic content and while it was of its time that doesn’t excuse any harm it does nowadays. That said there is something enduring about Huckleberry Finn – it’s the original con artist adventure story and there is still much to get out of it. This Manga adaptation is charming and engaging, taking the good and ameliorating the bad. I think this is now my preferred version.

I'm not a huge fan of Twain. I enjoy his books, but I think he tends to drag things out a bit. However, this book was quite excellent, and has made me question why I don't read more Twain. The artwork is excellent, and I was very pleased with the character designs. I would highly recommend this to teens to get them interested in the classics.

Another nicely done adaptation from Manga Classics. The art style is befitting for the characters. There is a lot of charm in the rendering of Huck, Jim, and Tom. I did find Huck’s shadeless eyes a bit odd though. The direction and flow of the panels is well done and kept me into the story. There are certain dramatic and emotional moments that are conveyed well and in fitting somber ways, while the light comedic moments are also well handled and fitting to manga stylization.

There are a number of end notes from the staff that go well in explaining their methods of adaptation and how they approached certain scenes. At almost 400 pages and almost 40 chapters, they took great care in trying to keep a great deal of the story intact. The language utilized is, as customary for Manga Classics, purely faithful to the subject matter. I did grapple at times with the speech patterns of some characters and the addition of artwork assists with the context.

Overall I enjoyed this one but on a subjective level, there are classics that I feel are more outstanding and show off the skill of Manga Classics adaptation abilities more readily. The Count of Monte Cristo and Les Miserables still stand out as my favorites. But for pre-existing fans of Huckleberry Finn who may have some nostalgia for the work, you wouldn’t be steering wrong in checking this out.

Overall Rating – 8.5/10

Why You Should Check It Out – A charming adaptation of the original story that does well in conveying the seriousness and the humor of its source material in appropriate measure. Character designs are well thought out and match the characters, especially the main characters, nicely.

Why You Might Not Like It – There are other adaptations by Manga Classics that are more enthralling choices. If you’re not a fan of Huck Finn, this adaptation probably won’t change your mind.

I very much enjoyed this adaptation of Huck Finn -- I collect editions of Twain's works in the original texts as well as adaptations like yours and this was excellent. To me, the biggest challenge is to retain the language of the text, which is a lightning rod for current criticism and I was pleased that you kept that authentic. And one of the moments I look for in any adaptation is the point were Huck decides to not turn Jim into the authorities, which you did an excellent job of illustrating. Very nice work.