King Lear: A Graphic Novel

This visual retelling of Shakespeare's classical tragedy King Lear in graphic novel form provides colorful illustrations that are time and setting appropriate, bringing the tale to life. At the start of the book is a family tree, illustrating the relationships between main characters in the play. The easy-to-read font and limited scenes per page make this useful not only for silent reading but also for reading aloud. Bringing the story to life of a king, his daughters, and issues arising in France as well, Gareth Hinds makes Shakespeare approachable for younger readers. Using Shakespeare's original language, and providing a visual guide between actions on the page, this book is both true to the original and user-friendly to all. King Lear wants to hear how much his children love him, and in true fairy-tale fashion, the older two give statements of love while the third, and youngest, is silent, unable to put the love she feels into words. Cornelia, the youngest daughter, flees to France, a move that in the end saves her father when she returns to a land ruined by her sisters' evil treatment of their father. Anyone familiar with Shakespeare will appreciate the graphical representation, while the novice to Shakespeare will benefit from the novel approach to Shakespeare's words.
Recommended by Sara Rofofsky Marcus, Librarian.