Abridging classic novels for younger readers is nothing new . But in late years , classic literature has been graphic novel - ized , making it more approachable for readers young and old while preserving the plot , themes , and sometimes even the author ’s voice . English class will never be the same , thanks to these classics gone graphic .
1.The Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde ’s only novel , about a serviceman who sells his soul to maintain his smasher , was just begging for a more visual makeover . The2009 computer graphic novelwritten by Ian Edginton and illustrated by I.N.J. Culbard abridges the text , but still maintain much of Wilde ’s original prose . Marvel ’s 2008 versionhas better computer graphic , but it reads more like a copy of SparkNotes . Both Christian Bible are recommended as a supplement to — not a stand-in for — the original work . In the Logos of Dorian Gray himself , " How sad it is ! I shall grow old , and horrible , and dreadful . But this picture will remain always young . If it were only the other way ! "
2.The Metamorphosis
The Incredible Hulk . Wolverine . Gregor Samsa . All of these characters undergo major transformations , but only one of them might appear on an AP English test . Franz Kafka ’s 1915 novella about a travel salesman who awaken up to get he ’s turned into a huge insect makes for a compelling graphic novel . Peter Kuper ’s 2004 adaptationlooks like an enjoyable read , but it go against Kafka ’s regard . When the cover of the first version was being design intimately a century ago , the generator asked that Gregor not be drawn as an insect . Instead , he hop readers would call down their own range of a function of " horrible vermin " when picturing the creepy - crawly protagonist .
The Trial , Kafka ’s dystopian novel about the perils of bureaucracy , has also been adapted into agraphic novel . And if you need to instruct more about the mankind behind the floor , check outKafka ’s lifelike biographyby R. Crumb and David Zane Mairowitz .
3.Ulysses
Ulyssesis one of those works that comes with a few barrier to entrance . For starter , the Penguin Classics version is 1040 Page long . Then there are the 18 unstructured chapter that James Joyce boast " [ have ] so many conundrum and teaser that it will keep the professors busy for century contend over what I intend . " ( Thanks , dude . ) ButRobert Berry ’s " Ulysses ' seen'“makes the modernist masterpiece more mod — and accessible — than ever . The vivid novel is available for spare online or $ 7.99 on the iPad . Like the original , Berry ’s version is serialize and raised a few interrogative sentence of obscenity — Apple required naked image to be removed . Unlike the original , each chapter comes with a handy reader ’s pathfinder .
4.Pride and Prejudice
spate of readers all over the human beings have no trouble reading Jane Austen ’s most democratic novel . But what do you do after you ’ve devoured the schoolbook and the six - part BBC serial publication with Colin Firth as , omg , Mr. Darcy ? Here ’s an melodic theme : Get another fix with this2009 graphic novel versionfrom Marvel . The story ’s shorten , but reviewers on Amazon say it ’s more reliable to the novel than some flick adaptation . The women’s - magazine - trend cover with headlines like " Bingleys take Bling to Britain " is fun , too .
And if you wish this Marvel graphic novel , there are many others conform by author Janet Lee , includingSense and SensibilityandEmma .
5.The Diary of Anne Frank
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Anne Frank could n’t have imagined that the journal she depart two days after her thirteenth natal day in 1942 would ever become a well - deal memoir , a Pulitzer - Prize winning play , and an Academy Award - pull ahead picture show . The journal ’s up-to-the-minute incarnation : a2010 graphic biographywritten by Sid Jacobson and instance by Ernie Colón . commission by the Anne Frank House Museum , the life render many years before and after Anne ’s time in the Secret Annex , from her parents ' early lives to the publication of her journal to her male parent ’s life as the sept ’s solitary survivor .
6.A Wrinkle in Time
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It may not be part of the canon , but Madeline L’Engle ’s 1962 science fiction phantasy novel is a youthful - adult classic . While the original piece of work contain a few illustrations , thegraphic novel by Hope Larsonpublished October 2 is the first to full depict Meg , Calvin , Charles Wallace , and the eternal rest of the characters as they journey through space and metre . And c’m on , you bonk you want to see how Larson draw the tessering process .
Which classic would you wish to see adapted next ?
