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A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummers Night's Dream features story by William Shakespeare and art by Julien Choy. One of Shakespeare's most famous comedies finds a brilliant new life with this incredible Manga Classic adaptation. A Midsummer Night's Dream portrays the events surrounding the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus, and Hippolyta. These include the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of six amateur actors (the mechanicals), who are controlled and manipulated by the fairies who inhabit the forest. The play is one of Shakespeare's most popular works for the stage and is widely performed across the world.
340 pages, Hardcover
First published April 16, 2019
6 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Stacy King
51 books216 followersHi there! I'm a Toronto-based writer and editor who works in both prose and graphic novel formats, usually for younger readers.
My current projects include:
Dungeons and Dragons Young Adventurer's Guides - introducing new players to the classic role-playing game through amazing new artwork and streamlined prose.
Manga Classics - faithful adaptations of western literary classics with Japanese-style artwork.
Beyond writing, my interests include historical costuming, comics, manga, young adult fiction, magic realism, chocolate, and the oxford comma.
My current projects include:
Dungeons and Dragons Young Adventurer's Guides - introducing new players to the classic role-playing game through amazing new artwork and streamlined prose.
Manga Classics - faithful adaptations of western literary classics with Japanese-style artwork.
Beyond writing, my interests include historical costuming, comics, manga, young adult fiction, magic realism, chocolate, and the oxford comma.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 9, 2019
I've always struggled with Shakespeare. I think plays are meant to be seen and not just read. So, when I came across a graphic novel/manga edition of the original text, I thought it might just be what I needed to better understand what was going on. And it was. For the most part, I could follow the plot and the witticisms and found myself quite enjoying it. The illustrations provided what I was looking for...the extra emotions and expressions and settings that are lacking when you just read the play. This is a very silly story. The artwork is very traditional Manga, which isn't my favorite, but it was good enough. For those who would like to read the actual text of Shakespeare, but struggle with understanding it, I recommend trying this series. So far, I think there's only three Shakespeare titles, but they are worth checking out.
2019 challenge: A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom (Fancy Free; Apple of his eye)
2019 challenge: A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom (Fancy Free; Apple of his eye)
December 4, 2019
Somewhat disappointed with this one. I remember vastly enjoying the play, but this felt flat, boring, and a bit hard to follow. As with Manga Classics, I do appreciate the art and keeping the original text. This one just didn't have the same heightened feel as some of the others.
October 24, 2022
Amazing!!! I love A midsummer night’s dream, and this version was incredible. Love it!!
September 19, 2024
I just think that the medium of manga suits these plays so well!
I have read a midsummer night's dream before. I have seen it on stage as well, but neither of them really stuck in my head. I have a feeling this will, simply because I enjoyed it so much and because I think the author and illustrator did a great job of conveying the humor of it.
The play within a play of Thisby and Pyramis, was, I think, the best part. Especially when the artist had them bonk their heads on the actor portraying the wall. I laughed out loud. I'm sure that's what Shakespeare intended and that the viewers of this original play when it was originally acted laughed uproariously along with me.
I also thought it was interesting how what is perceived to be low art now, fan fiction, is perceived as high art, if it was written a long enough time ago by a big enough master. Because, that's what a midsummer night's dream is, fan fiction. It combines some ancient Greek mythology with French/English Arthurian/Celtic mythology and adds in a dash of Shakespearean day morality, themes, and language to create a story that borrows from here and there and yet manages to be internally cohesive and highly entertaining.
It makes me wonder if the Cal Leandros series was at least partially influenced by Midsummer's night's dream. I mean it's a combination of Greek mythology and Celtic mythology. Cal and his brother are reincarnations of Greek heroes and Puck is the main side character.
Anyway, I am happy to have read it, I enjoyed it, and I'm sad that even though I checked out Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth in the full original text, I shan't have time to read them because I'm leaving tomorrow. Alas.
I have read a midsummer night's dream before. I have seen it on stage as well, but neither of them really stuck in my head. I have a feeling this will, simply because I enjoyed it so much and because I think the author and illustrator did a great job of conveying the humor of it.
The play within a play of Thisby and Pyramis, was, I think, the best part. Especially when the artist had them bonk their heads on the actor portraying the wall. I laughed out loud. I'm sure that's what Shakespeare intended and that the viewers of this original play when it was originally acted laughed uproariously along with me.
I also thought it was interesting how what is perceived to be low art now, fan fiction, is perceived as high art, if it was written a long enough time ago by a big enough master. Because, that's what a midsummer night's dream is, fan fiction. It combines some ancient Greek mythology with French/English Arthurian/Celtic mythology and adds in a dash of Shakespearean day morality, themes, and language to create a story that borrows from here and there and yet manages to be internally cohesive and highly entertaining.
It makes me wonder if the Cal Leandros series was at least partially influenced by Midsummer's night's dream. I mean it's a combination of Greek mythology and Celtic mythology. Cal and his brother are reincarnations of Greek heroes and Puck is the main side character.
Anyway, I am happy to have read it, I enjoyed it, and I'm sad that even though I checked out Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth in the full original text, I shan't have time to read them because I'm leaving tomorrow. Alas.
June 19, 2021
2.5 rounded to 3 ⭐️ because of the art.
Since I had just read the play in March, I was kind of restless to finish it and settled for looking at the drawings only.
When I first read it, I thought it was okay but now thinking more about it, this story makes me angry, mostly because it's the women that are ridiculed (Titiana) and are pitted against each other (Hermia and Helena) AND IT MAKES ME SO ANGRY???
Like, if I'm understanding this correctly, this whole mess starts because Oberon can't stand that his wife is going against his wishes to take care of the child of HER LATE FRIEND. I think it also might have to do with the fact that he wants to raise the child himself to become a warrior or something but like sir, what connection do you have with this kid?
AND THEN HE GETS ANGRY AND IS LIKE 😡😡😡 IM GOING TO MAKE HER MAKE A FOOL OF HERSELF AND FALL IN LOVE WITH A BEAST, LIKE DUDE APPARENTLY SHE ALREADY DID WHEN SHE DECIDED TO START LOVING YOU.
I mean I heard Shakespeare wrote a lot of other plays with characters or actions harmful to women but like ahhhh, tell me you're insecure without telling me you're insecure. 😃
Since I had just read the play in March, I was kind of restless to finish it and settled for looking at the drawings only.
When I first read it, I thought it was okay but now thinking more about it, this story makes me angry, mostly because it's the women that are ridiculed (Titiana) and are pitted against each other (Hermia and Helena) AND IT MAKES ME SO ANGRY???
Like, if I'm understanding this correctly, this whole mess starts because Oberon can't stand that his wife is going against his wishes to take care of the child of HER LATE FRIEND. I think it also might have to do with the fact that he wants to raise the child himself to become a warrior or something but like sir, what connection do you have with this kid?
AND THEN HE GETS ANGRY AND IS LIKE 😡😡😡 IM GOING TO MAKE HER MAKE A FOOL OF HERSELF AND FALL IN LOVE WITH A BEAST, LIKE DUDE APPARENTLY SHE ALREADY DID WHEN SHE DECIDED TO START LOVING YOU.
I mean I heard Shakespeare wrote a lot of other plays with characters or actions harmful to women but like ahhhh, tell me you're insecure without telling me you're insecure. 😃
May 20, 2019
I love this play and I loved it in Manga. Considering I never read graphic novels that is saying a lot!
This is rather clever and I hope it gets more kids reading classics :)
This is rather clever and I hope it gets more kids reading classics :)
December 16, 2019
It had every part of the original book, great drawings.
October 5, 2021
The art was cute, and I like that the complete dialogue is used. This series has been doing well with the Shakespeare plays.
May 16, 2022
William Shakespeare’s most famous comedy is given the manga treatment. Here, he takes characters from Grecian mythology and pairs them willy-nilly with creatures from Celtic fairy tales. King Theseus, having done injuries to Hippolyta, is now ready to soothe her pride with offerings of love and marriage.
This manga brings all of Shakespeare’s text to the small page but loads it to the brim with vivid illustrations. These are such glorious renderings; you are sorry that there is no color. Figurative imagery is given actual illustrations. We see inner thoughts flung onto the page.
As we cannot on the theatrical stage, we witness the whole world turned topsy turvy by Titania and Oberon’s marital discord. Initially represented as mutual jealousy over her tryst with Theseus and his with Hippolyta, the matter comes down to a custody battle over a small Indian boy.
As an act of spite, Oberon uses a small flower to dope his wife into falling in love with the first hideous thing she lays eyes upon and, in so doing, cajoles the small boy from her. It’s a nasty trick and one that has bad consequences for two pairs of innocent mortal lovers.
We get a more in-depth look at Demetrius and Helena, Lysander and Hermia because of this page. When Lysander speaks of a wealthy aunt who loves him like a son, we are skeptical. Doesn’t this sound like a lot of poor boys who speak of a far-off inheritance by some distant, unseen relative? Perhaps that’s why Egeus prefers the changeable Demetrius over Lysander. The old man accuses Lysander of witchcraft as a means of covering up the real reason for his preference: he knows Lysander doesn’t have any money and Demetrius does.
In any case, once in the vast forest, Lysander confesses to Hermia that he’s lost his way—another strike against him. It’s very telling that Hermia promises to meet Lysander by mentioning vows that other men have broken to their inamoratas. In the forest, Hermia is very reluctant to let Lysander lie close to her; she prefers to remain chaste until she’s safely wedded. She may love Lysander but she doesn’t entirely trust him. Her mistrust proves true when he tumbles head over heels for the maudlin Helena.
Love juice from that flower is supposed to be the culprit. But can it be entirely to blame? Is human love be so…fickle? The play takes us through this kerfluffle as the beset lovers bumble through the forest, intent on attacking one another. The wooded area is truly vast and has the Athenians tumbling through bushes, stumbling over fallen logs, getting their hair and clothing tangled in protruding branches. We are abruptly aware that this is a dangerous place for city dwellers and that all of these town folk are woefully out of their depth.
It proves equally terrifying for the rude mechanicals who gather to practice their play for King Theseus and his intended wife Hippolyta. When poor Bottom is rudely transformed entirely into an ass (instead of just wearing an ass’s head as we see in theatrical productions), they rightly realize that horrible enchantment is afoot and run howling back into the city. Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia and Helena aren’t nearly so intelligent.
The play proceeds apace, culminating in happy outcomes for everyone as the mischievous Puck puts matters right. Whether the lovers are happy or miserable, raging or complacent, Puck sees it all as a merry jest. He’s portrayed as a gleeful sprite, winking at mortal folly and shrugging off Oberon’s rage over his mistakes.
In the morning, Theseus takes dogs to track down the fleeing Lysander and Hermia—only to find that Demetrius has once again changed his mind and fallen back in love with Helena. All the youthful lovers are vastly confused at what happened to them and their accounting makes no sense. While Hippolyta wonders at the tale the beleaguered lovers tell, Theseus shrugs off their recounting, stating that lovers, madmen and poets share similarly fevered brains, talking of things that aren’t true.
All four couples are reconciled as the fairies, equally at home in the forest, town, field, indoors and outdoors rush in a glittering, unseen throng through Theseus’s palace, blessing all the newly wedded lovers. This is a most excellent manga, emphasizing how there’s more beneath the surface of this supposedly fluffy fairy fiction.
This manga brings all of Shakespeare’s text to the small page but loads it to the brim with vivid illustrations. These are such glorious renderings; you are sorry that there is no color. Figurative imagery is given actual illustrations. We see inner thoughts flung onto the page.
As we cannot on the theatrical stage, we witness the whole world turned topsy turvy by Titania and Oberon’s marital discord. Initially represented as mutual jealousy over her tryst with Theseus and his with Hippolyta, the matter comes down to a custody battle over a small Indian boy.
As an act of spite, Oberon uses a small flower to dope his wife into falling in love with the first hideous thing she lays eyes upon and, in so doing, cajoles the small boy from her. It’s a nasty trick and one that has bad consequences for two pairs of innocent mortal lovers.
We get a more in-depth look at Demetrius and Helena, Lysander and Hermia because of this page. When Lysander speaks of a wealthy aunt who loves him like a son, we are skeptical. Doesn’t this sound like a lot of poor boys who speak of a far-off inheritance by some distant, unseen relative? Perhaps that’s why Egeus prefers the changeable Demetrius over Lysander. The old man accuses Lysander of witchcraft as a means of covering up the real reason for his preference: he knows Lysander doesn’t have any money and Demetrius does.
In any case, once in the vast forest, Lysander confesses to Hermia that he’s lost his way—another strike against him. It’s very telling that Hermia promises to meet Lysander by mentioning vows that other men have broken to their inamoratas. In the forest, Hermia is very reluctant to let Lysander lie close to her; she prefers to remain chaste until she’s safely wedded. She may love Lysander but she doesn’t entirely trust him. Her mistrust proves true when he tumbles head over heels for the maudlin Helena.
Love juice from that flower is supposed to be the culprit. But can it be entirely to blame? Is human love be so…fickle? The play takes us through this kerfluffle as the beset lovers bumble through the forest, intent on attacking one another. The wooded area is truly vast and has the Athenians tumbling through bushes, stumbling over fallen logs, getting their hair and clothing tangled in protruding branches. We are abruptly aware that this is a dangerous place for city dwellers and that all of these town folk are woefully out of their depth.
It proves equally terrifying for the rude mechanicals who gather to practice their play for King Theseus and his intended wife Hippolyta. When poor Bottom is rudely transformed entirely into an ass (instead of just wearing an ass’s head as we see in theatrical productions), they rightly realize that horrible enchantment is afoot and run howling back into the city. Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia and Helena aren’t nearly so intelligent.
The play proceeds apace, culminating in happy outcomes for everyone as the mischievous Puck puts matters right. Whether the lovers are happy or miserable, raging or complacent, Puck sees it all as a merry jest. He’s portrayed as a gleeful sprite, winking at mortal folly and shrugging off Oberon’s rage over his mistakes.
In the morning, Theseus takes dogs to track down the fleeing Lysander and Hermia—only to find that Demetrius has once again changed his mind and fallen back in love with Helena. All the youthful lovers are vastly confused at what happened to them and their accounting makes no sense. While Hippolyta wonders at the tale the beleaguered lovers tell, Theseus shrugs off their recounting, stating that lovers, madmen and poets share similarly fevered brains, talking of things that aren’t true.
All four couples are reconciled as the fairies, equally at home in the forest, town, field, indoors and outdoors rush in a glittering, unseen throng through Theseus’s palace, blessing all the newly wedded lovers. This is a most excellent manga, emphasizing how there’s more beneath the surface of this supposedly fluffy fairy fiction.
March 8, 2022
Annotations (in order of appearance)
Yellow - funny
Blue - concepts
Magenta - favorite panels
I wasn't aware this had a modern English version before buying it sadly as I for sure would have chose that one instead. I understand why this version is necessary, though, for historical accuracy or those more literate than I even though I consider English my best subject. The art is really grasping the Hell out of me resulting in me collecting all Manga Classics. The story here really isn't the best. The art style is shooting up my star rating drastically. There are a couple instances where the anatomy is off and it's very noticeable but otherwise it's very nice to look at. I wasn't a fan of the theatre troupe at all. On a final note, imagine having to say a spell every night in order to not be killed by wild animals. I can't even remember to put my phone on the charger before bed sometimes. Also it seems more practical to make the spell a one and done instead of risking your life every night.
January 15, 2023
I am currently teaching this play, and I have students who are struggling with the language. This version of the play works really well to help the students out. First, it keep intact the original language of the play, so the students are still given access to the whole play. Secondly, the character development really helps to give the subtext of the characters so the students can actually see how they are thinking and feeling as the story progresses. Lastly, when there is figurative language that is difficult to understand, the manga does an amazing job of highlighting what that would look like, so my students can get through some of the more difficult lines. The artwork is really good, and it is an enjoyable way of going through the play. It still does not have the punch that the play within a play can have at the ending but it does the best that it can with the medium. It still works as a great supplement for my class, especially with ELA students and students who struggle with the language.
July 28, 2019
Not just an adaptation of Shakespeare's favored romantic comedy, but it does include most of the original Old-English style of language. This one contains a lot more visuals. It also, unlike the play, tries to distinguish the 'interchangeable' lovers a little more.
For teens who need a cliff notes version of Shakespeare for school, for those teens who may never have heard of it, it would be a story I would upsell to some of our teens. Why you ask? "Mistaken Identities, warring fairies, talking donkeys, good humor, fights, chases, hide-n-seek in the woods, romance, memorable characters, fast-paced!"
What can happen in the woods one night when magic and romance runs wild?
For teens who need a cliff notes version of Shakespeare for school, for those teens who may never have heard of it, it would be a story I would upsell to some of our teens. Why you ask? "Mistaken Identities, warring fairies, talking donkeys, good humor, fights, chases, hide-n-seek in the woods, romance, memorable characters, fast-paced!"
What can happen in the woods one night when magic and romance runs wild?
August 30, 2022
I think this was a good adaptation of the play and on my rating scale I would have to give it an A.
It’s one of my favorite Shakespeare rom-coms.
I once saw the play at the actors theater in Louisville Kentucky and it was wild because that adaptation kind of moved to the 1960s so it was early 60s and then it kind of went psychedelic when the fairies came on the scene which is very cool because the play kind of lends itself to that sort of thing.
My favorite character in the play has always been robin Goodfellow a.k.a. the puck because he’s a troublemaker and trickster and to me that’s just fun.
My favorite part is pucks ending monologue.
It’s one of my favorite Shakespeare rom-coms.
I once saw the play at the actors theater in Louisville Kentucky and it was wild because that adaptation kind of moved to the 1960s so it was early 60s and then it kind of went psychedelic when the fairies came on the scene which is very cool because the play kind of lends itself to that sort of thing.
My favorite character in the play has always been robin Goodfellow a.k.a. the puck because he’s a troublemaker and trickster and to me that’s just fun.
My favorite part is pucks ending monologue.
October 22, 2022
The artwork was beautiful in this manga. They did a great job with using the original text without adding any lines or excluding any lines. I liked the character design and felt that what was depicted in the panels helped further the understanding of what was being said. I wish I had this in Junior High and High School when I was reading A Midsummer Night’s Dream for class. I would have understood the lines and monologues infinitely better had I read this manga. I ended up loving the play even more because of this book.
July 21, 2023
This is the first time I've read a graphic novel adaptation of a play. The experience is different because it's something I've used to seeing live rather than reading. But interesting nonetheless!
I cannot express adequately how lovely the illustrations are. The characters look younger than I pictured them but they are so adorable and capture the personalities of these well known characters. I especially like the portrayal of Nick Bottom, both as a donkey and as a human. The brief scenes of Titania's foster son and how he came to be under her care are sweet as well.
Fun, charming read!
I cannot express adequately how lovely the illustrations are. The characters look younger than I pictured them but they are so adorable and capture the personalities of these well known characters. I especially like the portrayal of Nick Bottom, both as a donkey and as a human. The brief scenes of Titania's foster son and how he came to be under her care are sweet as well.
Fun, charming read!
July 25, 2021
Language: PG (6 swears, 0 "f"); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
I've never read this work by Shakespeare before, so it was fun to read a new classic and learn that I know some of the lines. While this was not my favorite work by Shakespeare, I appreciate how the manga classic tries to make the odd story clear for readers. As always, the illustrations are beautiful and are definitely my favorite part. The mature content is for innuendo and for partial nudity in the illustrations.
I've never read this work by Shakespeare before, so it was fun to read a new classic and learn that I know some of the lines. While this was not my favorite work by Shakespeare, I appreciate how the manga classic tries to make the odd story clear for readers. As always, the illustrations are beautiful and are definitely my favorite part. The mature content is for innuendo and for partial nudity in the illustrations.
September 22, 2021
A Midsummer Night's Dream is my favorite work by Shakespeare, probably my favorite play. I've read it repeatedly and collect stage and film productions on DVD. This is completely different. For one thing, it includes the entire unabridged text (including some speeches frequently omitted from stagings). For another, its a graphic novel, fully illustrated with gorgeous and imaginative images. Finally, it presents in (Japanese) Manga format, which involves reading from "last" page to "first" and right to left on a page. That takes some getting used to and ultimately let's you regard the work in a new light. Highly recommended if you love Shakespeare.
March 27, 2022
Visually pleasing. I picked up the modern English version so some if the Iambic Pentameter was lost. Especially as you get wrapped up in the story and start reading it like a normal Manga/story. Took off the star because it was great and entertaining but it wasn't the greatest translation. You could tell it went from old English to Japanese to modern English. Some misspellings. Too many for a "Modern English" translation.
February 26, 2023
Interesting concept and though the art is pretty,there is still a language barrier with it being copied and pasted from the original play. I would've thought that it would've simplified and modernized the language, but nope. No such thing here. I'm not in practice of reading those old plays, so this is a quick DNF from me. Maybe if you already like Shakespeare you might like this or if you have this as a required reading for school, it might make it more bearable to get through.
2/5 stars
2/5 stars
March 5, 2020
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a classic of William Shakespeare surrounding the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus and Hippolyta. The adventures of four young lovers and a group of amateur actors who are controlled and manipulated by powerful fairies who live in the forest.
This book is a classic and truth be told, I’ve always wanted to read it, expect I knew I would never get through the book for one reason or another so I thought reading the manga version would be better for me to understand. The manga did a great job in capturing the story and bringing it to life while keeping to the original story. I liked it.
This book is a classic and truth be told, I’ve always wanted to read it, expect I knew I would never get through the book for one reason or another so I thought reading the manga version would be better for me to understand. The manga did a great job in capturing the story and bringing it to life while keeping to the original story. I liked it.
September 9, 2021
I didn't know Manga Classics existed until I found this while browsing Libby. I've never read this play before, but I was obsessed with watching "Were the World Mine" every time it aired on the LOGO channel when I was in middle school. This was a fun read, nothing blew me away, except maybe the beautiful way the fairies were drawn.
October 16, 2021
For my pleasure... not for any challenge.
Another of my all time favorites. I've read this play many times also. I saw this sitting in the Manga section and just had to give it go. Great decision!! So much work was put into this and it is the full text version so there was nothing lost in the translation from play to Manga.
Another of my all time favorites. I've read this play many times also. I saw this sitting in the Manga section and just had to give it go. Great decision!! So much work was put into this and it is the full text version so there was nothing lost in the translation from play to Manga.
Read
October 24, 2021I always feel like a dolt reading Shakespeare since there’s so much reading between the lines with his writings … also I don’t know much of the contexts that the plays also rely on in telling their whole stories. So, do I like Shakespeare now? No. But, I did love the artwork and kept reading past scene 1 purely because of the art.
November 17, 2020
Awesome version of AMND. I will use this for my low level readers in class next quarter. It’s nice to see some of the action come alive in images. Bottom as ass as Titania sees him is worth the price of admission alone. This is a good, creative, positive modern adaptation of a classic.
June 30, 2022
I liked it cus of the art style and bc the story reminds me of this fairy book I read when I was younger. And It had lots to do with love. The fairies mess with the towns people by using the flower that makes u fall in love.
September 19, 2019
The dialogue was very hard to understand but I got the gist of the story. I wouldn't have made it through if it wasn't in Manga form.
September 9, 2020
I love manga and I love this story. The art is great and it's really cool that you can read this and have read all the same words as if you were reading the script.
November 5, 2021
the art style was absolutely adorable! love me some fairy mischief.
October 23, 2022
A solid adaption, I think a play benefits a lot from being able to see the characters expressions and the settings.
November 29, 2022
That. Was. Chaos.
But I loved every minute of it.
But I loved every minute of it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews