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No Fear Shakespeare Graphic Novels is a series based on the translated texts of the plays found in No Fear Shakespeare. The original No Fear series made Shakespeare’s plays much easier to read, but these dynamic visual adaptations are impossible to put down. Each of the titles is illustrated in its own unique style, but all are distinctively offbeat, slightly funky, and appealing to teen readers. Each book will feature:
208 pages, Paperback
Published January 25, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
April 20, 2011
Hamlet is my all time favorite of Shakespeare's plays and I was a bit dubious when I picked it up at the library simple because I like the original version so much.
Luckily I wasn't disappointed. While it does lack some of the quality of the orginal I thought it was a brilliant adaptation. The art style fits well and I especially found Ophelia's sudden descent into madness and suicide to be both very pretty and every chilling.
While the dialouge has been changed slightly to suit younger readers the story still flows well and all the major lines Hamlet is famous for have been left mostly unchanged. All in all it was a quick and fantastic book.
Luckily I wasn't disappointed. While it does lack some of the quality of the orginal I thought it was a brilliant adaptation. The art style fits well and I especially found Ophelia's sudden descent into madness and suicide to be both very pretty and every chilling.
While the dialouge has been changed slightly to suit younger readers the story still flows well and all the major lines Hamlet is famous for have been left mostly unchanged. All in all it was a quick and fantastic book.
May 23, 2022
“Frailty, thy name is woman!”
A good adaptation of a not so good story about a very not good young man. Not a fan of Hamlet, as he is an asshat.
A good adaptation of a not so good story about a very not good young man. Not a fan of Hamlet, as he is an asshat.
August 30, 2010
I'm not a fan of graphic novels, but this adaptation makes Shakespeare's Hamlet very accessible. My friend, Gwen, recommended the "No Fear Shakespeare" series. I'm reading it to prepare for my high schooler's class on Shakespeare. I think this is a great introduction to the Bard and I highly recommend it for those who find Shakespeare unapproachable. Cautionary note to parents: Shakespeare wrote for the masses and the masses enjoyed vulgarity, which Shakespeare happily provides. This adaptation makes the vulgarity more accessible as well.
January 8, 2021
"That's strange."
This book is for you if... you enjoy Shakespeare.
Alright this is gonna be short, I wanted to get into Shakespeare more and I thought the graphic novel would be a good place to start, but I really wasn't impressed with this beyond anything past the art style. I was bored and ready to DNF this at almost every page.
CAWPILE Rating: 2.86/10
Stars: 2/5 Stars
I really didn't enjoy this.
This book is for you if... you enjoy Shakespeare.
Alright this is gonna be short, I wanted to get into Shakespeare more and I thought the graphic novel would be a good place to start, but I really wasn't impressed with this beyond anything past the art style. I was bored and ready to DNF this at almost every page.
CAWPILE Rating: 2.86/10
Stars: 2/5 Stars
I really didn't enjoy this.
April 28, 2024
So fun to read in Graphic Novel form! A true tragedy.
September 27, 2021
2,5 stars
I should start this review by saying that I love Shakespeare. And "Hamlet" is one of my favourite plays.
I found this graphic novel adaptation somewhat underwhelming.
I understand that it's directed at a younger audience, and it seeks to make the play easier to understand, but it oversimplifies many of the play's most important themes, and the adaptation of the Shakespearean English also misses the mark in many places.
As an example, Babra adapts the famous "To Be or not to Be" speech, and towards the end, writes "Fear of death makes us all cowards". The original line is "Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all." The point here isn't fear of death, it's lack of resolve. This lack of resolve is Hamlet's main problem, and ultimately the reason he fails. He overthinks everything and neglects to act. This misinterpretation is a pretty big one.
There are many similar issues with the adapted text, but I won't bore you by naming them all.
The artwork, though often beautiful, also ends up oversimplifying a number of exchanges by affording characters clear-cut emotional reactions that are not, in the original text, clear-cut. The drawings also lend many scenes an excessive level of drama that I found entirely unnecessary: "Hamlet" is already pretty dramatic.
Additionally, and more critically, the artwork actually makes some exchanges seem almost comical. And don't get me wrong, there is dark humour in "Hamlet"; his quick switches between "madness" and sanity are often amusing, but these scenes are darkly comic, not ridiculous. Making them appear ridiculous lessens their emotional impact.
In conclusion, I feel that this graphic novel interpretation of "Hamlet" would work best in the context of adaptation studies. It's interesting to analyze why certain choices, both artistic and linguistic, were made, though I suspect this would be of greater interest to me (with my MA in English literature) than to the average young adult.
I'm not sure whether I can recommend this as an intro to the play. It certainly doesn't work as an alternative to the original, but perhaps it might work as a simplified version of the story, something one might read before reading the original.
But honestly, I think I'd just as soon recommend watching one of the filmic adaptaions.
I should start this review by saying that I love Shakespeare. And "Hamlet" is one of my favourite plays.
I found this graphic novel adaptation somewhat underwhelming.
I understand that it's directed at a younger audience, and it seeks to make the play easier to understand, but it oversimplifies many of the play's most important themes, and the adaptation of the Shakespearean English also misses the mark in many places.
As an example, Babra adapts the famous "To Be or not to Be" speech, and towards the end, writes "Fear of death makes us all cowards". The original line is "Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all." The point here isn't fear of death, it's lack of resolve. This lack of resolve is Hamlet's main problem, and ultimately the reason he fails. He overthinks everything and neglects to act. This misinterpretation is a pretty big one.
There are many similar issues with the adapted text, but I won't bore you by naming them all.
The artwork, though often beautiful, also ends up oversimplifying a number of exchanges by affording characters clear-cut emotional reactions that are not, in the original text, clear-cut. The drawings also lend many scenes an excessive level of drama that I found entirely unnecessary: "Hamlet" is already pretty dramatic.
Additionally, and more critically, the artwork actually makes some exchanges seem almost comical. And don't get me wrong, there is dark humour in "Hamlet"; his quick switches between "madness" and sanity are often amusing, but these scenes are darkly comic, not ridiculous. Making them appear ridiculous lessens their emotional impact.
In conclusion, I feel that this graphic novel interpretation of "Hamlet" would work best in the context of adaptation studies. It's interesting to analyze why certain choices, both artistic and linguistic, were made, though I suspect this would be of greater interest to me (with my MA in English literature) than to the average young adult.
I'm not sure whether I can recommend this as an intro to the play. It certainly doesn't work as an alternative to the original, but perhaps it might work as a simplified version of the story, something one might read before reading the original.
But honestly, I think I'd just as soon recommend watching one of the filmic adaptaions.
July 23, 2020
This was a really neat read. I enjoyed getting to experience this story in a different medium and definitely made me want to re-read the play. I think I would have liked it better if the text were closer to the original, rather than the No Fear -- however, I also realize that I am probably one of the few people that would enjoy that, since the target audience is people who are more interested in the story with more modern text.
March 19, 2024
Now I don’t have to read the original
July 5, 2020
I read this alongside the book, and I really loved having something visual to follow along with. The illustrator did an amazing job of capturing Hamlet's character in his leaps between mania, love, and vengeance, as well as his visual representation of metaphor and character development. The style, the design, all of it was done excellently and stuck true to the book. In addition, the mixing of both the original and translated dialogue was balanced extremely well. Absolutely a worthwhile companion to the original.
September 13, 2020
What a skilled adaptation of this classic tale. The art style was just right for it, with thoughtful imagery and great atmosphere. I read it all in one sitting, too.
April 7, 2010
Review originally posted at Dangerously Cold Tea
There are probably few readers of this blog who are not at least halfway familiar with the story of Hamlet, but for those whose memory may be a bit murky, here's a recap: Hamlet's father, the king is dead. The king's ghost tells Hamlet that his killer is his brother, now the current king and new husband of Hamlet's mum. Hamlet vows to have his revenge, and goes freaking nuts in the process. Also, Ophelia, who is by far the craziest of them all (no one out-crazies Ophelia!).
So, how well did Neil Babra actually do? I mean, he did not have an easy task: to take a work of the Bard and turn it into a graphic novel that is both true to the original source and still entertain reluctant readers. (No Fear Shakespeare is a whole line of like-minded GNs created by Sparknotes, which is a company well acquainted with the minds of lazy and unwilling students.)
This GN version of Hamlet is startling close in spirit to the original play. Even as the language is simplified for a modern and young audience, a good deal of the most memorable lines are kept intact as they are timeless enough that anyone could understand them. It is not "dumbing down" in the least bit; all the humor and heartache from the original is still there in the dialogue and the story does not suffer at all from this treatment.
The art is deeply intertwined with the story, even more so that a typical graphic novel. As Shakespeare was fond of wordplay and vivid imagery in his writing, so the artist makes great strides to incorporate these things into each and every panel. When Hamlet is off and running on one of his famous soliloquies, you can clearly see in the scene what he is illustrating with his words. In a way, the dialogue becomes the background for many scenes.
And then there is Hamlet. Of all the cast, he is the best thing about this adaptation. His facial expressions show such emotion, whether he is deliriously happy or in another maniacal fit, that you cannot look away whenever he appears on page. From the way he is drawn to the pure power behind every movement and action, this is a most memorable Hamlet for the printed page.
For both reluctant readers and avid Shakespeare fans, I honestly believe that this one is a winner. I greatly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone looking to dip into the world of the Bard but is intimidated by his legacy and his language.
There are probably few readers of this blog who are not at least halfway familiar with the story of Hamlet, but for those whose memory may be a bit murky, here's a recap: Hamlet's father, the king is dead. The king's ghost tells Hamlet that his killer is his brother, now the current king and new husband of Hamlet's mum. Hamlet vows to have his revenge, and goes freaking nuts in the process. Also, Ophelia, who is by far the craziest of them all (no one out-crazies Ophelia!).
So, how well did Neil Babra actually do? I mean, he did not have an easy task: to take a work of the Bard and turn it into a graphic novel that is both true to the original source and still entertain reluctant readers. (No Fear Shakespeare is a whole line of like-minded GNs created by Sparknotes, which is a company well acquainted with the minds of lazy and unwilling students.)
This GN version of Hamlet is startling close in spirit to the original play. Even as the language is simplified for a modern and young audience, a good deal of the most memorable lines are kept intact as they are timeless enough that anyone could understand them. It is not "dumbing down" in the least bit; all the humor and heartache from the original is still there in the dialogue and the story does not suffer at all from this treatment.
The art is deeply intertwined with the story, even more so that a typical graphic novel. As Shakespeare was fond of wordplay and vivid imagery in his writing, so the artist makes great strides to incorporate these things into each and every panel. When Hamlet is off and running on one of his famous soliloquies, you can clearly see in the scene what he is illustrating with his words. In a way, the dialogue becomes the background for many scenes.
And then there is Hamlet. Of all the cast, he is the best thing about this adaptation. His facial expressions show such emotion, whether he is deliriously happy or in another maniacal fit, that you cannot look away whenever he appears on page. From the way he is drawn to the pure power behind every movement and action, this is a most memorable Hamlet for the printed page.
For both reluctant readers and avid Shakespeare fans, I honestly believe that this one is a winner. I greatly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone looking to dip into the world of the Bard but is intimidated by his legacy and his language.
July 3, 2024
I enjoyed this more than the original.
The language/writing was adapted to the modern audience. And it wasn't so bad for me, if that means more people will come to be curious about Shakespeare, or appreciate him more, even.
Personally, I think it would have been better if I read this before the original. Maybe it'll make me appreciate the play better. Or even made the extra effort to understand what Shakespeare was saying.
The art was really good too, albeit a little dark. Although the play itself is quite dark. It does serves it purpose.
For those na ayaw sa mga graphic novel adaptation ng Classics, e di wag. Kayo na ang magalingat bida-bida.
Marami pa ring hanash si Hamlet, pero mas gusto ko siya sa version na to. Siguro kasi mas gets ko yung mga hanash niya sa buhay. Haha!
---
"Oh God, God! How tired, stale, and pointless this business of life seems! Damn it! Ah, if only this solid flesh of mine could melt away! If only God had not forbidden suicide!"
"Those who don't have to work can afford to be more sensitive."
The language/writing was adapted to the modern audience. And it wasn't so bad for me, if that means more people will come to be curious about Shakespeare, or appreciate him more, even.
Personally, I think it would have been better if I read this before the original. Maybe it'll make me appreciate the play better. Or even made the extra effort to understand what Shakespeare was saying.
The art was really good too, albeit a little dark. Although the play itself is quite dark. It does serves it purpose.
For those na ayaw sa mga graphic novel adaptation ng Classics, e di wag. Kayo na ang magaling
Marami pa ring hanash si Hamlet, pero mas gusto ko siya sa version na to. Siguro kasi mas gets ko yung mga hanash niya sa buhay. Haha!
---
"Oh God, God! How tired, stale, and pointless this business of life seems! Damn it! Ah, if only this solid flesh of mine could melt away! If only God had not forbidden suicide!"
"Those who don't have to work can afford to be more sensitive."
December 30, 2025
5 ⭐️
Of all of the Shakespearean plays I’ve read so far, this one is my new favourite.
I’m really glad that I was able to read this in a graphic novel format because I find it quite difficult to read a play/script without proper context. The illustration are fantastic and I appreciated the way that the facial expressions were drawn; it really captured the tone of the lines that I wouldn’t have picked up on if I just read the script.
I think I’m going to do a deeper dive into the text itself so I don’t have too many thoughts on an official analysis. However, I think that the plot was really intriguing and although it centred around Hamlet’s “madness”, I don’t blame him…? He was definitely going through it lol.
I’d love to do a deeper dive with annotations or something, but I’ll leave that for another time. I will definitely go back and read the original text in its entirety, but I really enjoyed reading in this format!
Of all of the Shakespearean plays I’ve read so far, this one is my new favourite.
I’m really glad that I was able to read this in a graphic novel format because I find it quite difficult to read a play/script without proper context. The illustration are fantastic and I appreciated the way that the facial expressions were drawn; it really captured the tone of the lines that I wouldn’t have picked up on if I just read the script.
I think I’m going to do a deeper dive into the text itself so I don’t have too many thoughts on an official analysis. However, I think that the plot was really intriguing and although it centred around Hamlet’s “madness”, I don’t blame him…? He was definitely going through it lol.
I’d love to do a deeper dive with annotations or something, but I’ll leave that for another time. I will definitely go back and read the original text in its entirety, but I really enjoyed reading in this format!
March 11, 2020
The plot of the story was interesting. Hamlet basically was poking the bear until it woke from his slumber. His Uncle (The New King) poisoned his brother to earn the crown, and to steal his wife. Hamlet hinted that he new what his uncle has done, so his Uncle plans to kill Hamlet without him knowing. He poisons his drink and poisons the duelers sword, but that day when there was a duel everything went down. The entire Bloodline was diminished.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2019
This famous tragedy by Shakespeare takes on a new look in this graphic novel version. The story itself is a sad one full of so many twists where innocent people end up in tragic situations. Although there is justice in that the main antagonist is defeated, it only happens through great loss of innocent life. In the end, the reader walks away with extreme sadness, and the only glimmer of hope that is left is that it appears the truth will be known.
December 15, 2020
This was a really fun format for Shakespeare, and I'm excited to delve into the other two graphic novels!!
June 24, 2021
Impressive artwork that played on the theme of madness. My main quibble is that the language was adapted to a modern audience.
February 25, 2022
Read for a class, but wasnt so terrible
April 12, 2022
What a brilliant adaption of the original play. Easy to understand, a beautiful design and a tragic story.
November 26, 2021
Look, I'm behind on my reading goal so I'm counting this one. We read this in class before watching film. I actually think it's an amazing graphic novel rendition. Recommend for classes
September 26, 2009
As a lead-in or companion to Hamlet, this book is very good. It's one of the No Fear Shakespeare group's three graphic novelizations, and I'd say it falls smack in the middle -- not as good as the Romeo and Juliet version, which is itself a thing of beauty, yet better than the Macbeth version, which I just didn't like.
It's no surprise that No Fear has commissioned artists to depict three of the bard's plays that are most taught and read in high schools; their point is to make these stories accessible to youngsters who are removed not only from Shakespeare's early modern language but also his Elizabethan England. I am absolutely in support of this project and -- no surprise here -- I fully intend to photocopy and share a few excerpts of this Hamlet with the college students I'm reading the story with in a few weeks.
Now, all compliments aside, let me say a few words about the artwork, which is to my mind this book's best and worst features. It's very attractive and ambitious, penned by the inventive Neil Babra. I like the artist's sense of space -- the way the pages are divvied up into smaller boxes with curves rather than straight lines, etc. And I especially like Babra's unusual but telling use of speech bubbles. When Hamlet shouts his vitriol at Ophelia and his mother, the words emanate from his mouth like frothy poison. When Laertes, in his dying breaths, implicates the King in their plot to kill Hamlet, the speech bubble wraps itself around the King's neck, like a noose. The visuals go a long way in bringing to life these characters and their words, which even in modernized translations are unusual. However, I think Babra overdoes the visuals just a bit, sometimes making too dramatic or flashy the events of the play, and this happens especially during the characters' monologues, when images from their speeches are collaged together behind the speakers' heads. How many times do I need to see Hamlet look into a mirror, a shiny floor, a pool of water, and see as his reflection a skull? I think once would have been adequate.
But if you're interested in Hamlet or have plans to share the play with the so-called Great Unwashed, pick up this book. It could be an invaluable learning tool.
It's no surprise that No Fear has commissioned artists to depict three of the bard's plays that are most taught and read in high schools; their point is to make these stories accessible to youngsters who are removed not only from Shakespeare's early modern language but also his Elizabethan England. I am absolutely in support of this project and -- no surprise here -- I fully intend to photocopy and share a few excerpts of this Hamlet with the college students I'm reading the story with in a few weeks.
Now, all compliments aside, let me say a few words about the artwork, which is to my mind this book's best and worst features. It's very attractive and ambitious, penned by the inventive Neil Babra. I like the artist's sense of space -- the way the pages are divvied up into smaller boxes with curves rather than straight lines, etc. And I especially like Babra's unusual but telling use of speech bubbles. When Hamlet shouts his vitriol at Ophelia and his mother, the words emanate from his mouth like frothy poison. When Laertes, in his dying breaths, implicates the King in their plot to kill Hamlet, the speech bubble wraps itself around the King's neck, like a noose. The visuals go a long way in bringing to life these characters and their words, which even in modernized translations are unusual. However, I think Babra overdoes the visuals just a bit, sometimes making too dramatic or flashy the events of the play, and this happens especially during the characters' monologues, when images from their speeches are collaged together behind the speakers' heads. How many times do I need to see Hamlet look into a mirror, a shiny floor, a pool of water, and see as his reflection a skull? I think once would have been adequate.
But if you're interested in Hamlet or have plans to share the play with the so-called Great Unwashed, pick up this book. It could be an invaluable learning tool.
November 8, 2016
Book Review
Book Title: Hamlet
Book Author: William Shakespeare
Adapter/Illustrator: Neil Babra
Introduction: I love Shakespeare, and Hamlet has always been my favourite of all of his plays and sonnets so when I saw this little manga on sale at a location book shop I had to pick it up and read it. I read it about 3 years ago, but I finally found it again on my bookshelf and decided to read it again and review it.
Review:
This adaption is truly an adaption - it's not identical to the original, but it's great for younger readers wanting to get into Shakespeare. The typical Shakespeare form is not used, but that makes it easier for read for those not fluent in his verses.
This task of adapting the famous Hamlet into a shorter, simpler work would have been hard but Neil Babra makes it look so easy. The story is shortened into a perfect, young reader-friendly adaption. The famous lines are still in there, but they are so much easier to understand and read. The book is not dumbed down by any means, so readers do not have to worry - this book is a timeless, incredible adaption that should definitely be introduced to young readers.
The artwork is fantastic and matches perfectly with the story. The wordplay that Shakespeare uses is often seen within the pages of this book in illustrated form, which can make any true Shakespeare fan get a true chuckle out of this work.
Overall, this book was fantastic. The facial expressions, the artwork, the rewording, and the narrative are all fantastic.
Five out of five stars.
Book Title: Hamlet
Book Author: William Shakespeare
Adapter/Illustrator: Neil Babra
Introduction: I love Shakespeare, and Hamlet has always been my favourite of all of his plays and sonnets so when I saw this little manga on sale at a location book shop I had to pick it up and read it. I read it about 3 years ago, but I finally found it again on my bookshelf and decided to read it again and review it.
Review:
This adaption is truly an adaption - it's not identical to the original, but it's great for younger readers wanting to get into Shakespeare. The typical Shakespeare form is not used, but that makes it easier for read for those not fluent in his verses.
This task of adapting the famous Hamlet into a shorter, simpler work would have been hard but Neil Babra makes it look so easy. The story is shortened into a perfect, young reader-friendly adaption. The famous lines are still in there, but they are so much easier to understand and read. The book is not dumbed down by any means, so readers do not have to worry - this book is a timeless, incredible adaption that should definitely be introduced to young readers.
The artwork is fantastic and matches perfectly with the story. The wordplay that Shakespeare uses is often seen within the pages of this book in illustrated form, which can make any true Shakespeare fan get a true chuckle out of this work.
Overall, this book was fantastic. The facial expressions, the artwork, the rewording, and the narrative are all fantastic.
Five out of five stars.
August 3, 2025
The first time I watched Hamlet I surprised by how instantly it became a favourite. It really shouldn't have been so shocking considering how I love Shakespeare the most when it's bloody and dark and a little bit fucked up (Macbeth is my other favourite).
Anyway, I love Horatio and Hamlet's relationship, I love that the body count slowly racks up as people lose their sanity (yeah, that sounds bad, whatever), I love the plots, I love Hamlet's internal struggle, I love the morbid discussions of death and morality, and I love how many iconic quotes come from this play. Seriously - SO. MANY.
All that said, sometimes I'm sick or my brain is sludge or I'm just generally not patient enough to process said gorgeous Shakespearean English - and this is the perfect alternative. The "translation" is super well done, giving the distinct impression of the Bard while still being incredibly readable, and the art is very evocative and flows. I still gasped and laughed at the classic biting wit, and that end absolutely had me as emotional as watching it. God, I know I'm actively choosing to suffer but with the Tragedies I can't help but love it.
Highly recommended for Shakespeare fans willing to try a medium still loyal to the primary source, or anyone who's curious about Shakespeare but doesn't appreciate the unique language. Hell, if you like plots about madness and violence and ghosts and comics but don't give a damn about Shakespeare - still try this. It's very accessible to everyone and a fantastic read. I'll definitely be picking this up for re-reads.
Anyway, I love Horatio and Hamlet's relationship, I love that the body count slowly racks up as people lose their sanity (yeah, that sounds bad, whatever), I love the plots, I love Hamlet's internal struggle, I love the morbid discussions of death and morality, and I love how many iconic quotes come from this play. Seriously - SO. MANY.
All that said, sometimes I'm sick or my brain is sludge or I'm just generally not patient enough to process said gorgeous Shakespearean English - and this is the perfect alternative. The "translation" is super well done, giving the distinct impression of the Bard while still being incredibly readable, and the art is very evocative and flows. I still gasped and laughed at the classic biting wit, and that end absolutely had me as emotional as watching it. God, I know I'm actively choosing to suffer but with the Tragedies I can't help but love it.
Highly recommended for Shakespeare fans willing to try a medium still loyal to the primary source, or anyone who's curious about Shakespeare but doesn't appreciate the unique language. Hell, if you like plots about madness and violence and ghosts and comics but don't give a damn about Shakespeare - still try this. It's very accessible to everyone and a fantastic read. I'll definitely be picking this up for re-reads.
February 28, 2018
Fantastic!
Neil Babra's art was delightful.
I loved how he used the medium to explain some of the intricacies of Shakespeare's language, speaking of language, it was mostly updated and shortened, but not necessarily simplified. It definitely took me longer to read this than most graphic novels.
I haven't read Hamlet since like high school, and I definitely did not catch on to some things in high school (even though I read it and discussed it in ENGLISH CLASS, but whatevs), namely that Hamlet is a massive JERK to Ophelia. My goodness, no wonder the poor girl went mad. And can we even talk about how the entire cast assumes Hamlet is driven mad because Ophelia denies his advances (because her da and brother told her to do so) like that is a completely reasonanble reason to go off the edge! Plus, let's put the blame on poor Ophelia who is just super confused now. Sheeshhhh! I wanna go readOphelia now because at least that gives her some Agency. Er, I mean Dating Hamlet: Ophelia's Story... My bad.
I also may have been watching Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead while reading this.
I mean, that movie was probably my favorite part of English class that entire year. And one of my new life goals is to see a production of Hamlet and RaGaD with the same cast. I have lofty goals.
Neil Babra's art was delightful.
I loved how he used the medium to explain some of the intricacies of Shakespeare's language, speaking of language, it was mostly updated and shortened, but not necessarily simplified. It definitely took me longer to read this than most graphic novels.
I haven't read Hamlet since like high school, and I definitely did not catch on to some things in high school (even though I read it and discussed it in ENGLISH CLASS, but whatevs), namely that Hamlet is a massive JERK to Ophelia. My goodness, no wonder the poor girl went mad. And can we even talk about how the entire cast assumes Hamlet is driven mad because Ophelia denies his advances (because her da and brother told her to do so) like that is a completely reasonanble reason to go off the edge! Plus, let's put the blame on poor Ophelia who is just super confused now. Sheeshhhh! I wanna go read
I also may have been watching Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead while reading this.
I mean, that movie was probably my favorite part of English class that entire year. And one of my new life goals is to see a production of Hamlet and RaGaD with the same cast. I have lofty goals.
August 7, 2017
WOW. This is really a fantastic adaptation of Hamlet! Hamlet is my favorite play, so I was hoping the graphic novel would be done well—and I was not at all disappointed. The art is beautiful and works perfectly with the story, and I especially love how the artist was able to fit so much action and emotion into it. Everyone had great facial expressions. I especially loved the character of Hamlet—he's manic yet dark, and everything I think Hamlet should be. Most of the characters were very well-done and intelligently adapted... I thought Laertes and Gertrude were a little weak, but that didn't distract from the best parts of the book. The swordfights, deaths, soliloquies, and Ophelia's madness were especially compelling!
Recommended for everyone who likes Hamlet—and also for everyone who wants to get into Hamlet, but feels intimidated by the Early Modern English. This adaptation is in contemporary English, making it easier to understand—it's not as beautiful as Shakespeare's language, but it's more clear to a modern reader.
Recommended for everyone who likes Hamlet—and also for everyone who wants to get into Hamlet, but feels intimidated by the Early Modern English. This adaptation is in contemporary English, making it easier to understand—it's not as beautiful as Shakespeare's language, but it's more clear to a modern reader.
February 7, 2016
Overall, this was a very good adaptation of Shakespeare´s Hamlet to young readers. I really enjoyed reading Hamlets soliloquies with those beautiful illustrations. It certainly made it more dramatic. Nonetheless, I encounter a few errors and typos on the written dialogues. I guess that was bad editing but it was very distracting.
Having read Hamlet before I recommend this to any reader that has read this famous play. Like any movie or visual adaptation it gives you a pretty good idea at how would it be if you were watching it. It makes you comprehend and reflect more. Still, this graphic novel is understandable to any non-Hamlet reader.
Having read Hamlet before I recommend this to any reader that has read this famous play. Like any movie or visual adaptation it gives you a pretty good idea at how would it be if you were watching it. It makes you comprehend and reflect more. Still, this graphic novel is understandable to any non-Hamlet reader.
January 31, 2018
Hamlet is one of my favorite plays and I enjoy reading and watching different adaptations of it. I like that this text kept many of the more famous lines from the original and updated them to fit with the more contemporary English used in the rest of the work. The illustrations and footnotes helped to explain many of the literary devices and illusions that modern audiences may struggle with (Biblical references, comparisons to Greek dieties, meanings of different flowers). This is an easily read companion book to help students understand the original play, and an enjoyable read for fans of the Bard.
September 25, 2024
No. Just no. Do yourself a favor and find yourself a copy of Shakespeare's Hamlet: The Manga Edition instead of this. No Fear is by far the worst graphic novel adaption of the play I have ever seen. The text feels like a stale, off brand version of Shakespeare's masterpiece, with the characters feeling unlikable and at times, completely insufferable. In combination with this, the illustrations are generally poor quality, unreadable sketches that are passed off as "offbeat" and "quirky." These issues stand out especially in contrast with Tintin Pantoja's lively and expressive art found in Adam Sextons adaption. In addition to the low quality translation and illustration, the text seems to remove large parts of content regarding Hamlet and Horatio's relationship, perhaps due to a fear of seeming "too gay" for readers. Horatio doesn't even TOUCH Hamlet in the final scene. In combination with an earlier removed scene, this cumulates into the feeling that the author was trying to avoid including any of the original content that might read as having queer subtext. Subtext or not, this results in an incredibly awkward death scene for Hamlet where Horatio just stands to the side while his best friend bleeds out on the ground. This is NOT what Shakespeare wanted. Shame on whoever approved this text for publishing.
October 14, 2020
Really an adaptation of an adaptation, this is a graphic novel version of the No Fear Shakespeare simplified version of the original play. I'm pleased to note that it isn't too simplified. This is not in any way dumbed down or an easy version, just an easier version. That's maybe a difficult distinction to make, but it's immediately obvious what the intention is on the first page. The art in this graphic novel is a bit on the simple side, but does a good job of illustrating both the action and the implication of the original.
I couldn't help but compare this to Manga Classics Hamlet, which I read just a few months ago. The Manga Classics version is a straight adaptation, using the original, full text of the play. I preferred the experience to reading this one, and I think a lot of people would not only find this a more enjoyable read, but get more out of it. On the other hand, the Manga Classics version had better art, which would itself be very helpful in understanding the play. Obviously, they both have their places, and I would recommend either to a student struggling through the play.
I couldn't help but compare this to Manga Classics Hamlet, which I read just a few months ago. The Manga Classics version is a straight adaptation, using the original, full text of the play. I preferred the experience to reading this one, and I think a lot of people would not only find this a more enjoyable read, but get more out of it. On the other hand, the Manga Classics version had better art, which would itself be very helpful in understanding the play. Obviously, they both have their places, and I would recommend either to a student struggling through the play.
June 19, 2019
I’m going to review this graphic novel based on its interpretation of the play, and not the storyline itself (which I gave three stars in a past review....I’m not the most enthusiastic Shakespeare fan but I certainly appreciate him). I began reading this while simultaneously teaching Hamlet to my students to see if I could use parts of it for summaries, etc. To be frank, I think the graphics make the play even more confusing than it already is at times. I know the distortion of the characters’ faces is to emphasize their words but man, was I lost. Poor Gertrude never looked queenly and Hamlet’s madness was a whole other entity. Part IV was actually the best interpretation of the play. I recall my students being totally confused over Ophelia’s madness and death, so I think next year I’ll share these scenes with them to help explain her grief. I’m partial to O’s storyline to begin with, but the drawings really did establish her loss of innocence and maddening sorrow. Ultimately, this graphic novel is an okay refresher while teaching (who doesn’t love supplementary materials!) but as a substitute for the play, it doesn’t make the cut.
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