The Merchant of Venice Twelfth Night

Gr 7 Up—These books follow a similar format: initial pages are in color and introduce the characters with a portrait and quote from the play, thus revealing their personalities. An introductory color page contains an image of the setting. Manga is in black and white. Beginning at the front, texts read from left to right. The drama is revealed through brief snippets of actual dialogue, with images supplying the additional information needed to appreciate the story. This format allows the play to unfold as a "performance" rather than relying on explanatory text to convey meaning. Both artists use careful panel placement and point of view, enhancing the pacing and drama. They also rely on the use of chibi to underscore emotions. Imaginative imagery reinforces the unique Shakespearean turns of phrase. Yong's illustrations set The Merchant of Venice in a fairie world with fanciful creatures such as flying dragons. Faces are drawn with sharp-pointed noses and ears resembling Star Trek Vulcans. Readers familiar with Vulcan insistence on logic will appreciate this contrast with the logic used in the courtroom scene. Twelfth Night offers a more traditional manga style. The twins are drawn with large eyes. Emotions are conveyed through tears, sweat drops, reaction "close-up" shots, and other traditional manga techniques. This drama sports considerably more action, complemented by sound effects. The abrupt scene changes, with no advance visual cues, sometimes makes following the plot difficult. Back matter includes a plot summary and brief Shakespeare biography. Additional purchases.—Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY