Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe is a surprisingly easy-to-read Elizabethan play. 
The protagonist (or perhaps he is an antagonist) is Doctor Faustus himself. He is an incredibly vain and arrogant man in search of knowledge. However, his desire to be knowledgeable is insatiable and quickly he wishes to be equal to God. This is beautifully expressed in the prologue when he is compared to Ikarus: „His waxen wings did mount above his reach, / And melting heavens conspired his overthrow.“ Faustus then starts dabbling in magic and conjuring, but his goal is still something much more. He decides to sell his soul to the Devil. As he speaks an utterly and unnecessarily melodramatic incantation, Mephistopheles appears. This is the moment in which I lost my shit. Why? You may ask.
Tag: Classic
Stacy King – Romeo and Juliet (Manga Classic) | Review
Stacy King is a marvelous writer. I love her manga adaptations of classics (even though I’ve only read two so far). I enjoy her adaptation even more due to the fact that she puts so much research into her work – you can clearly see that in the final pages of the manga where she explains how she visited the locations mentioned in the story and puts her sketches.
I enjoyed the art very much and the characterization through it. For example, I loved that every male character had a specific sword which was weirdly very fitting for his character.
There is no point in putting a summary of the story of Romeo and Juliet since this play by Shakespeare is one of the most famous stories in the world. This is why I am keeping this review short. I believe everyone who enjoys Shakespeare and plays, in general, will sincerely enjoy this manga classic.
Gareth Hinds – The Iliad | Review
This is a retelling of The Iliad in form of a graphic novel. The author Gareth Hinds brings us once again to one of the most famous battles of all time. There is no need for me to summarise this graphic novel since the story is so well-known and well-loved.
I immensely enjoyed the maps and the charts. They were very helpful in bringing the story closer to me. Also, the chart with all the characters at the beginning was incredible, it made it easy to visualize everything. I love how it was similar to a list of characters in a play!
The art was quite lovely. I really enjoyed it, above all else because it was so different from the other graphic novels I’ve read in the past. My only complaint is that it appeared a bit grainy, but that must have been a problem with my e-arc.
Stacy King – The Count of Monte Cristo (Manga Classic) | Review
I don’t think it is a secret that Alexandre Dumas’ masterpiece The Count of Monte Cristo is my all-time favorite novel. I have written an extensive review of the book this summer which you can read here. I think the novel is simply one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written. I adore the plot, the characters and the whole vibe of the book. The writing is simply stunning. So, naturally, when I got the chance to read the Manga Classics retelling of my favorite story I simply could not say no.
I rather liked this manga. I liked that there was little to no step away from the original story. The art is beautiful, but I must say I was not amazed by it. At the moment it did seem like the dialogues were made easier in a way. That I didn’t like. I believe they did it in case a person who did not read the original novel wanted to read the manga. I am a bit opposed to that, but that is simply because I think the original work is amazing.
One thing I particularly like about the art in this manga is the way certain characters were drawn when they were young and old. I think it was done masterfully. Also, Edmonds disguises were wonderful!
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Alexandre Dumas – The Count of Monte Cristo | Review
The Count of Monte Cristo is a marvelous novel written by Alexandre Dumas Pere. It was published in parts in 1845-1846 in the french newspaper called Journal des débats. I can, without doubt, say that this was one of the most beautiful (reading) experiences I’ve had since, well forever. I cannot repeat it enough how deeply I fell in love with Edmond Dantes and Sinbad the Sailor and the Count of Monte Cristo. I love all the beautiful versions and aliases Edmond came in. I love love love Edmond.
The story follows the young and in love Edmond Dantes who by “accident” which is actually a big and evil plan made by his “friends” ends up locked up and traumatized. He plots revenge and eventually by the turn of events he gets it.
Many people believe that this is a story about revenge and I cannot contradict it, but what I can say is that it is not only that. This is a story about love, betrayal, friendship and most importantly, this is a story about pain. This is the story about pain.
“How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure.”
Joseph Conrad – Heart of Darkness | Review
Heart of Darkness is a novel written by Joseph Conrad. It was first published in 1899. The storyline follows the protagonist Charles Marlow who is in fact also the narrator. He tells his life story and things that happened while his time in Congo.
I immensely dislike this book. I had such a hard time reading it and I a few times considered putting it down. I fell sorry I didn’t do it.
This book is indeed very short in pages, but the story itself is years long. It is very boring a repetitive. The descriptions are long and uninteresting, also, the narration is quite unpleasant.
Jane Austen – Pride and Prejudice | Review
Pride and Prejudice as you all by now know very well if you have ever stumbled upon good and everlasting literature is one of the most famous, great, and if I may say so stunning works of written art ever made. Jane Austen really is a genius.
This year I’ve made a decision to read as many classics as I could and my opinion is that so far I have been immensely enjoying it. However, I am not/was not without prejudice (pun not intended), I was very skeptical about Jane Austen’s work. I half expected it to be a bit boring and not at all exciting. Boy was I wrong. From the first page, I was pulled into the story. There was one witty remark made by Mr. Bennet to his wife on that first page and I must admit I laughed out loud. That is in one sentence the summary of my experience with this book. I found the humor incredibly enjoyable and I believe I could sincerely appreciate it.
George Orwell – Animal Farm | Review
Animal Farm is a compelling novel about a world where (or maybe a better word would be when) animals rebel against the regime keeping them captive and unhappy only to create a world even worse for them. It was written in the mid-twentieth century, in the middle of the Second World War by George Orwell.
Paulo Coelho – The Alchemist | Review
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is an amazing novel which deals with personality growth and finding your path in life. The main character is a young man whose name – Santiago we find out in the epilogue. But the fact that throughout the novel we do not know his name only shown how little importance it carries. We accompany the young man as he searches for his treasure and doing that travels the old world.
He comes upon many interesting people who shape his and teach him the knowledge they do and do not know they carry.
F. Scott Fitzgerald – The Great Gatsby | Review
The Great Gatsby is a heartwarming and lovely novel written by the great F. Scott Fitzgerald. Through the eyes of Nick Carroway we are told the love story of his cousin Daisy and the mysterious Jay Gatsby. The amazing writing style draws you in and simply does not let you put the book down until you finish it and absorb the book completely. The novel was first published in 1925, and the aesthetic of the roaring twenties is very prominent throughout the novel, especially shown through the decadence and prohibition, along with the blooming of crime (the business of Jay Gatsby).
Books and Prejudice 