Emma

November 1, 2015

Gr 7 Up-Austen's unlikable and meddling leading lady gets the shuojo treatment in this manga adaptation of Emma. The match-making society lady, riding on the high of having recently paired up her governess and a wealthy neighbor, attempts to unite all of the single denizens of Highbury, in Regency-era England. The key players (Emma, Mr. Knightley, Harriet Smith, Jane Fairfax, and Frank Churchill) are given most of the screen time in this version. After some misunderstandings and entanglements, romances end happily and mysteries are solved. Chan keeps the essence of the original, complete with flirtatious banter, social commentary, and Emma's character growth from self-centered and condescending diva to slightly more humble and good-intentioned heroine. The work's Mr. Knightley is more self-righteous than the classic's, but the manga's dreamy depiction of him will quickly win over readers. Discerning teens will be able to catch the clues hidden within the gray-toned illustrations as to the characters' true feelings. The variation in panel design and use of the format's traditional chibi form add to the narrative's dynamic pacing. Many of the original title's interior monologue is presented in striking visuals, such as Emma's realization of the nature of her affection for Mr. Knightley, which is expressed in a wordless multiple-panel scene of her pricking herself with a rose and dropping its vase to the floor. Character sketches and adapter's and artist's notes give context for their creative choices, offering an in-depth look at the manga format. VERDICT A wonderful interpretation of the classic for reluctant readers and purists alike.-Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal

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