{Synopsis} – In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after breaking parole, agrees to care for a factory worker’s daughter. The decision changes their lives forever. “Les Miz” has been adapted for stage and screen and loved around the world by millions of readers.
{My thoughts} – This was the Manga I was most concerned about reading for a review. I’d picked up the original novel years back and after a couple of pages stuffed it back on my bookshelf. Let’s be honest here, although it is known to be a great book, well written, with a nice story line. It has a massively boring start and I couldn’t force myself to get into it.
I didn’t have that issue with this version of the classic. In this version all the boring stuff seemed to be eliminated leaving you to enjoy the actual story. The illustrations help to share that story in such a wonderful way, that it’s really hard to say I didn’t like this book. Reading through this book, almost made me want to try and pick up the original and attempt to read it again. I say almost, I am not sure my sanity could survive it!
I really enjoyed the way in which the book was simplified and made easy to understand. I enjoyed the illustrations and the ability to feel and see what the author was trying to convey. I really do think that this book is one of the best adaptations I have read through of a book that I’d in the past found to be extremely difficult to get into! I can see this book becoming popular with individuals wanting to read the classics but not wanting to be bored to death with a bunch of un-needed background.
I cannot openly say that I will pick up the original after reading this book. But I will give it some thought. I am really enjoying being able to read the classics in this way! It is giving me a whole new perspective, and lets face it, sometimes that’s awesome! A lot of these Manga Classics seem like old stories brought to life through a new light! And to me, that’s what is making them so wonderful and fun to read.
Final Conclusion: 5 Star Rating.
