Sense and Sensibility Manga Review

I have never been a huge Manga lover. I do not know why. There is nothing that puts me off, I just do not gravitate towards them. Then I saw a Manga version of Sense and Sensibility and, I had to give Manga another try. Overall, I loved this adaptation, however, there were a few things I did not.

I was glad for the initial refresher at the beginning of the book, demonstrating the proper way to read Manga, as well as a little back story.

Sense and Sensibility, while I do enjoy it, remains my least favourite novel of Austen’s works. I find there are bits in the original story that drag. My favourite feature of the Manga version is that all the little slow bits are taken out. The story reads quickly, with no lag, at any point. This version was very straight forward and easy to understand. The writing was modern, but it still included little customs or phrases from the Regency era. Of all the character portrayals, Mrs. Jennings was my favourite (never thought I would say that.) The illustrations of her were beautiful, yet they did show her ridiculous side. A scene I think worth mentioning, that I found extremely well done, is the scene were Col. Brandon shares his family secret. I will not write it out due to spoilers. However, the first two times I read it in Austen’s novel, I found it extremely confusing, and I did not quite understand what was going on. I could only ascertain that there were connections, between two majour characters. This Manga version made it so straight forward and easy to understand. Lastly, I did find this adaption focused more on Eleanor and Marianne. Which does lead me into what I did not enjoy as much.

I found some of the relationships were not quite up to the original text. I did read at the end, in the authour’s notes, that some things, unfortunately, did have to be cut due to various factours. I found Brandon and Ferris to be a little distant in this version, for the sole reason they were just not mentioned or brought into the story as much. This was something the creatour does address. Another relationship I love, but I find most adaptions take it out, is the friendship between Eleanor and Brandon. Lastly, Marianne’s feelings towards Brandon at the end are creatively written, but the point of her heart changing does come across.

I enjoyed this adaptation so much; I intend to buy one of each of them for my Jane Austen collection. The overall story flowed well and was fairly true to the original novel.

I received a review copy of Manga: Sense and Sensibility at my request, and I have voluntarily left this review.