The Marvel Illustrated version of Jane Austen’s Emma collects the five comic book series by Nancy Butler and Janet Lee (illustrator) in a single hardcover volume. The graphic novel retells the classic novel in bright colors, which is what I would expect when depicting the lively Emma Woodhouse, from the start of her matchmaking exploits until the moment when she understands her own heart and realizes she’s made a mess of things.
Butler does a decent job condensing the novel into dialogue. She covers the main plot points, but the depth of the original novel is missing. Of course, that’s to be expected given the graphic novel format. However, I thought it was a unique and enjoyable retelling. I love the humor and the ridiculousness in Emma, so I found Lee’s caricatures amusing and thought the facial expressions were spot on. I especially loved the emotions she showed on Mr. Knightley’s face, the disapproving and the anguished looks, letting readers infer what’s on his mind.
This graphic novel would make a great addition to an Austenesque fan’s collection, especially if they love Emma as much as I do. It was fun to dip into my favorite novel for a couple of hours, giving me just enough of a taste to keep me satisfied until I re-read the original. It would also make a great introduction to the classic novel for younger readers.
Disclosure: Jane Austen’s Emma (Marvel Illustrated) is from my personal library. I am an Amazon associate.
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I am so bad about getting to all the Jane Austens, so this might be the answer! I love GNs. They are the answer to someone who is in a reading rut!! (Me)
Yes! They really are a great way to introduce people to the classics, and they are quick to read, too. Plus, you have the illustrations to keep you occupied.
Oh my daughter would love this! Graphic novels can be a great way to introduce classics to the younger generation.
I’m sure she would! My daughter wants to read it, too.
This would be a good introduction to Emma for me!
Definitely! And if you like what you read here, you can pick up the original for a meatier story.
This might be a great way to introduce young readers to classics…I wonder if other classics are in this form.
Butler’s also done P&P, S&S, and Northanger Abbey so far. And according to the flap of the P&P one, there’s also an illustrated version of The Man in the Iron Mask and The Three Musketeers.
I have read something by Butler, or seen painted more like it
As far as I know, Butler adapts Austen’s stories, but there are different illustrators for each adaptation.
[...] adaptations of Austen’s novels (read my review of the graphic novel version of Emma) make the classics accessible to younger readers. Of course, the richness of Austen’s Pride [...]
[...] think this is my favorite of the Austen graphic novel adaptations so far (read my reviews of Emma and Pride & Prejudice). Butler simplifies the text for the graphic novel format, and at the [...]
Upon my reading I found myself feeling like I was reading through a child’s book of drawings. Now that you said in your review that it was like caricatures…..well it has me thinking on it in a new light now.
I can see why you would think them child-like. I thought they really captured the humor of the novel.