Synopsis: A fusion of the classic Shakespeare text with manga visuals. Romeo and Juliet is modernised in this graphic novel to tell the story of rival Yakuza families in modern-day Japan.

Review: This is a beautifully drawn book that could prove to be a fantastic resource for teaching Shakespeare in schools (there are also versions of Hamlet, The Tempest and Richard III in this series). The current fashion for manga drawings might help to enthuse students to read Shakespeare. The book uses Shakespeare's original text and I would suggest that a study of particular frames could help students to understand some of the more complex language by putting image to word in a way that even film cannot achieve. My only criticism with this version is that it does not include the full text of the play. The book could be used to inspire media-based activities on the conventions of cartoons or for students to create their own manga drawings for further sections of the play.

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2007-09-09