Lovely Work That Will Make Everyone Love Reading Classics
343953
eARC Copy Provided by Publisher via Netgalley in Exchange of Honest and Unbiased Review

I am an uncultured swine (Pixars Toy Story) because I haven't read a single one of Jane Austens books. I have two in physical and the rest in ebook, but I just haven't gotten myself to it. I struggle most of the time with classics because of how heavy the reading might feel, even if I enjoy the story. Which brings me to this: Manga Classics are a life saver and a wonder of pop culture.

This being the second manga I read from Jane Austens stories, I loved every moment of it. The drawings were very striking and very manga-like (Japanese drawing style of comics and graphic novels). Many of the settings, clothes, hairstyles, and other minor things were exactly like the ones you see in movies and series of the Regency Era, and lovely for the eye.

Since this is an adaptation, there might be things omitted from the original work by Austen, but it keeps the essence of Emma in its characters and turn of events in a language that is simple to grasp. It also leaves space to get the reader interested and involved enough to read the complete, non-illustrated book heh. It also got me interested to watch the movie Clueless by understand that it was a modern tell of Emma (not Pride and Prejudice, as some have told me) and very fun to watch.

Everyones hard work into the drawings, editing, adaptation of the text, everything was wonderfully made, and I look forward to reading many more of these manga in the future.

Rating: 5 stars

Review by Jennifer Madero
3690259
Jonathan Keates has done a remarkable job in putting together this collection of stories from a variety of great writers, both ancient and modern. The collection includes such works as "The Murder of Julius Caesar" by Plutarch, works by Edward Gibbon, Van Goethe, Stendhal, Henry James, Edith Wharton, Pasolini, and more.

Now, a few words about the book itself. First,let me say that I collect books published by Everyman's Library and have always been a huge fan of their look, feel, and durable binding. This particular book was printed and bound in Germany by GGP Media. As with other volumes of the EL series, this book is bound in a gorgeous blue cloth cover. It's important to distinguish between a mere "hardcover," which is usually just a cover made of paper-covered cardboard, and a cloth cover book. A cloth cover is just that - a hardbound book with cloth, actual fabric, over the covers. This kind of cover is old school, reminiscent of the great bookbinders of yesteryear. The paper is a gorgeous cream woven paper, very easy on the eyes.  The book block itself is sewn, not glued, Again, this is an old school way of binding a book to last. And that's the point! Everyman's Library is a collection meant to pass on to your children and grandchildren. Over the cloth covers, this book comes with a tasteful dust jacket. I must also mention that this volume comes with a blue ribbon marker.

The paper used in this volume is exceptionally nice. It is thick, opaque, creamy. At retail (Amazon's price is even better!), this book is a steal. You can purchase a wonderfully made cloth bound book for less than many paperbacks.
2207432
A book that can change one's perspective on a classic text!
1883085
Even though they are often at opposite ends of the philosophical spectrum, the Analects of Confucius and the Daodejing are two works which I love reading and re-reading time and time again.  They are both works with a level of profundity that reward the reader who savors them slowly, and revisits them from time to time, as one's reading will often reflect what the reader is experiencing at the time.  That is what makes them great: they are powerfully profound, but also incredibly personal works as well which invite intimacy with the reader.  The Daodejing in particular, with its wonderful dualistic harmony, beautiful imagery, and lovely concepts such as the quintessential paradox of wei wu wei (to act without acting--which is not the same as "not acting"!) is particularly divine.

I especially enjoy this particular translation, which is clearly put together with loving attention and attachment to the work.  The calligraphy is beautiful (and for people who read Chinese characters it is nice to have the original text for comparison), the photographs are artistic, and the translation is superb.  It is too bad that Mitchell's version appears to be the most popular, as I feel this translation is much superior.  Often it is small word choices here or there, but Mitchell's version (it is not a translation per se, as he does not read Chinese) feels just a little bit off most of the time, at least compared to my understanding of this work through other translations and my readings on philosophical Daoism in general.

Of the translations I have encountered, this is by far my favorite.  Add to that the wonderful calligraphy (sure to be enjoyable even to people who can't read it) and photos and this is a real winner.  This is just my opinion, but if you're looking to read the Daodejing for the first time, this translation is a great place to start.
807489
Growing up, there are certain stories that you are told are classics.  Your parents have read them, your teachers suggest them and all the critics continually laud them.  `The Swiss Family Robinson' is one of those books.  Just the very title causes one to take notice, and if you have ever read the book or happened to see the Disney film, you are taken to a lovely place of nostalgia whenever someone mentions it.

The great thing about books like this one is that these stories and the way they are shaped, molded and ultimately told are timeless.  Any age, sex or domination can and will enjoy this.  There are so many themes broached, but in a beautiful package that never feels overwhelming or too stuffed.  Everything feels relaxed and natural.  It is also a testament to real storytelling that the novel remains exciting and intriguing no matter how familiar you are with the story.  Settling in this past month to read this to my kids was a great way to relive the beauty and grace of this novel, watching it captivate them as well as me (new ears and old).

The language is fluid (which is not always so in these older classics) and the action is always present, even during seeming mundane situations.  My children were always intrigued, and I loved plowing through the chapters with them.  The lush imagery presented by Wyss is unforgettable and really a notch above most of what we have to read today.  There is truth in the idea that one cannot beat a classic, and `The Swiss Family Robinson' is a classic for a reason.
1913912
This edition is just beautiful  the original writing with stunning illustrations by Robert Ingpen  ideal for a gift. This was a joy to read with my son  a literary delight for both adults and children, it really has stood the test of time. I was grateful that it was unabridged, and the paintings are outstanding. A classic to keep and treasure.
3711625
I am reviewing the Kindle edition of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, created from the World's Classics edition published by Oxford University Press.  Although there are editions of this work and collected editions of all of Austen's novels available for low prices or even for free, I highly recommend spending the few dollars to get this World's Classics edition, which was $4.28 when I purchased it.  First of all, you get a carefully edited and accurate text, prepared by Oxford University Press, which has been publishing Jane Austen for longer than most publishers have been in existence.  Within the text, there are footnotes, easily clickable on any touch-screen Kindle, giving background information on elements possibly unfamiliar to the modern reader, such as conveyances; it does add to the book's value to know the difference between a barouche and a curricle, for example.  There are notes on occupations, landscaping, theater, and many other elements.  There is a substantial introduction, exploring the creation of this novel and interpreting some of its themes.  You also get an appendix of essays on rank and social status, dancing, and "Austen and the navy".  In sum, if you are interested in this work, pay a few dollars and get a well-prepared edition.
As for the work itself, I very much like all six of Jane Austen's novels, but I think Mansfield Park is especially fine.  She has a firm grasp of her characters and the way they interact with one another, as well as a marvelous and detailed picture of all of the different locales where things take place.  There are scene after scene, and even line after line, which are as memorable as the wonderful parts of the better-known novels (Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility).  All of her novels are wonderful, but I feel this is a work of her maturity, by which I mean at the peak of her powers.  (I also consider Northanger Abbey to be among the best of the best.)
3571898
There comes a time in every middle or high school students life when you read the classics.  Everything from Catcher in the Rye to The Scarlet Letter to The Crucible and many other outstanding pieces of literature are required reading.  But what I always looked forward to were the Romantic classics like anything by Emily Bront, Jane Eyre or William Shakespeare.  Yes Im one of the students who actually read Hamlet with out being asked and could actually understand the verse.  And dare I say it, loved it!

Forbidden Kiss expands upon a story we all know so well.  The timeless love story of Romeo and Juliet is the base and then amazing and wonderful things happen.  The story is set in modern day Chicago where we are introduced to Jule Casale who is on the hunt to discover the origins of a mysterious painting by an anonymous artist.  In her hunt she seeks out Rom Montgomery who is an avid collector and connoisseur of ancient swords.  Meanwhile Rom has been struggling through lifetimes trying to break a curse which has led to him being immortal for centuries.

This sort of twist on a classic is just the type of thing that I would imagine when I didn't get the ending I wanted.  The fact that the story is interwoven with so many details from the original play is what I find the most charming.  In fact it reminded me of how much I loved the hours I would sit and read these plays and just let my imagination take me to that time and place.

There are one or two minor things that pulled me out of the story such as the turn around time for Jule to believe that there was more to the story.  Especially after her initial trepidation and fear following a vision she has concerning a sword in Roms possession.  In addition the fact that there is one portion of the story that I felt there was a leap in time that wasn't explained effectively but I found the over reaching plot one that engrossed and captured my attention.

Now Im sure you are wondering about the chemistry between Rom and Jule, Ms. Leigh uses both characters maturity effectively to remind readers that these are characters we are all so familiar with.  However there is true depth to not only the connection but communication and relatability that you will not see in high school lovers.  This added to the over reaching thought of a love beyond time which was evocative and poignant.

Final Thoughts:  This is a great twist on a classic and a wonderful romance all on its own but if you are an avid Shakespeare fan like myself then I truly believe you will find something to remind you of the joy of the classics.  And if you have recently read Romeo & Juliet this is a perfect book to read right after because I demand a happily ever after for these two amazing characters.  Dont You?

Entangled Publishing provided me with a copy of Forbidden Kiss but nothing else was exchanged for my honest review.
2807243
It is a wonderful collection! I loved reading these great plays in such a beautiful format! This elegant and attractive edition makes you want to reread all these plays again and again.
3726931
As a student of Classical Mythology, I love to see modern rewrites of the classics and this book has given me cause to cheer all the more. One of the best aspects of this book is how Gellis interweaves the incidents in the  myths with the intimate characters and plotline she has created. The love  story is well done with enough emotion to make it seem realistic. Whether  this is the same Gellis of romance-fame is incidental to me, whoever wrote  it did a wonderful job.
2043614
I managed to get this beautiful ebook last week, when it was free. I just couldn't resist, I mean, this is Shakespeare, after all. Despite all the controversy related to him, whoever wrote all of this is a true artist. What is in a name, right? At least that is how I think.
There are some very good paintings included in this, which is why I am considering this to be beautiful. I'm just including one of them.
The content is, obviously, a classic. It may be harder to read for some people, but I really enjoy the language it was written in. My favorite has always been A Midsummer Night's Dream, I have read that a few times and will probably do that every once in awhile.
I don't know if this is for everyone, but owning a classic is something anyone who appreciates literature should do, in my opinion.
Definitely a 5 star ebook. I love the illustrations and the content is great.
2550581
A great way to introduce young people into the Greek culture that is so interwoven with our daily lives. Young children who read this book will have an easy introduction to a lasting foundation that will give them broader insight into a world that is filled with allusions to the Iliad and the Odyssey - things that children who have not been introduced to this world often miss. The illustrations by Alice and Martin Provensen are unforgettably beautiful and classic with motion that invites the observer to carry on to the next moment: horses and men fall in battle, the gods look on, Odysseus keeps an eye on the cyclops while his men prepare their escape, a map of the world at Homer's time with Greece at the center of the universe. Golden Books almost has a cultural obligation to re release this great children's book.
2983182
A bunch of great classics for anyone's collection!
4882003
I purchased both volumes 1 and 2 from amazon, and I read both of them. Here are some thoughts on volume 2: books 13-24. It nearly goes without saying that the Iliad is a masterpiece of Epic Poetry. The LOEB Classical Library edition of Homer's Iliad was a delightful read. I very much enjoyed the seemingly archaic rendering of the Greek into English. This translation seems to preserve a more literal reading of the text, and considering that any translation is an interpretation I prefer more literal translation of non-English works. The sparse footnotes are helpful with some of the more difficult readings, the paper quality is high, and the binding is wonderful. I love the small size, as it is easy to carry around and read during dead time. My only reservation with this edition of the Iliad is that these volumes lack good introductions. I'm currently reading Robert Fagles translation of The Odyssey and there was a terrific introduction to the text. A similar introduction to the LOEB's Iliad would have made this book perfect. Other than that, volume two is well worth the $20. Highly recommended.
3982737
Absolutely my favorite work of literature. It's bound to become a classic, and I look forward to my children studying it in their high school and college English classes.
1147101
This new translation by Ian Johnston is every bit as wonderful as are his other translated works. With over a dozen new translations out in just over a year, the demand for his work must be overwhelming. I was first introduced to him through his Iliad and Odyssey translations and have been a fan ever since. I recommend these texts for any classics lover, and for anyone who has wanted to read classic material but has been afraid to try. These new translations are very accessible and are a great entrance for into the world of classic literature.
1371322
Love these short stories, they are classics and a must read for all ages....
 plus, they have been reading material for literature classes at college