The Count of Monte Cristo (Manga version) - Alexandre Dumas, Stacy King

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Author (Adaptor): Stacy King

Original Author: Alexandre Dumas
Illustrator: Nokman Poon
Genre: Classic, Manga
Rating: 4.25 stars.

A rendition of the Alexandre Dumas novel in manga format. The book is faithful to the original story and as such, is just as complicated. If you found yourself lost in the multitude of characters that the 1844 classic contained, you will be stuck in the comic version too, even though it is much easier this time.

Some sequences are written in proper detail but some are rushed through in just a few pages. For instance, Dantes’ escape from the prison and his finding of the treasure is barely covered. The author’s note at the end explains the creative calls taken about the inclusions or exclusions of various events from the classic. That helps us understand how difficult it must have been to take a 1000+ page tome and convert it to a 400 page manga without losing the original essence.

The book is written like an actual manga, beginning from what is usually the last page for us and working its way backwards. I loved how committed it was to its purpose. The illustrations too are as per the format and absolutely striking.

I think you’ll understand this manga better only if you have read the original, which might defeat the purpose of the book which is to bring the classic to new readers who get cowed down by the sheer size of the tome. That said, this manga would be a wonderful way of looking at an old story through a graphical lens. Also, for those who need a quick glimpse into the original story without having the time to read so many pages, this would be a wonderful option. I have read the original too and found it overly descriptive and tedious at times. This book solves that issue by chucking out all the chaff.

Definitely recommended. Don’t skip the author’s note at the end.

My thanks to Udon Entertainment and NetGalley for the DRC of “Manga Classics: The Count of Monte Cristo”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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