The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare adapted by Gareth Hinds Review # 13

Product Details from Amazon.com
Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Candlewick (May 22, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 076363025X
ISBN-13: 978-0763630256

Synopsis from BarnesandNoble.com
With elegant, contemporary artwork and a faithful but succinct adaptation, this graphic novel casts a classic drama in a provocative new light.

Here is the tale of young Bassanio, who, to win the love of fair Portia, entangles his dearest friend, Antonio, in a dangerous bargain with the moneylender Shylock. Only Bassanio’s heartfelt efforts — and a clever intervention by Portia — will save Antonio from paying Shylock "a pound of flesh." Moody and mesmerizing, this graphic novel adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s more controversial plays boasts a chic modern cast, high drama, and all the dark, familiar beauty of Venice.


My Review:

I liked this book for what it was. A nice introduction to Shakespeare. This is not to be used for a test but it does help in understanding the basic concepts of the play. The author notes that he has cut out many scenes and characters so this should not be used to study for test. This does help the reader to have a basic understanding of this play.

I really liked the graphics and how they alternated colors for different acts of the play. The time period of the play was updated to around the 1930s which a lot of adapters do in graphic novels and movies.


I rate this book a 3/5. Recommend as an introduction to Shakespeare.


FCC. Disclaimer: I borrowed this book from the library and I am an Amazon associate. I was not compensated in anyway for this review and opinion expressed is solely my own.