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                    The Bard's historic tale of war and peace between England 
                    and France during the reign of Henry V is presented as a graphic 
                    novel. Experience the Battle of Agincourt as never before 
                    - and fully appreciate this decisive chapter in the history 
                    of the realm... 
                  Henry 
                    V is 
                    Classical Comics's first book in its range of graphic novel 
                    adaptations. Future releases will include Macbeth (February 
                    2008), Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre (Spring 2008), 
                    Charles Dickens's Great Expectations (Summer 2008), 
                    Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (Summer 2008), Romeo 
                    and Juliet (Summer 2008), Richard III (Autumn 2008) 
                    and Dickens's A Christmas Carol (October 2008). 
                  The 
                    idea behind this series of books is to make the classics available 
                    to the masses. Because the language in Shakespeare's plays 
                    takes a little getting used to - at which point a lot of the 
                    younger generation will just give up - Henry V is available 
                    in three different versions. While the artwork remains the 
                    same, you can buy the Original 
                    Text 
                    version, Plain Text or Quick 
                    Text. 
                  This 
                    means that everyone can find a version that is appropriate 
                    to them. If you want to read the Bard's words as originally 
                    written then the Original 
                    Text is 
                    the release to opt for; Plain Text has the play translated 
                    into plain English; while the Quick Text version sees 
                    the full story reproduced but with reduced dialogue for easier 
                    reading. 
                  To 
                    be honest though, if you are coming at this play as a Shakespeare 
                    novice, or buying it for a young adult who is about to start 
                    studying it at school, I'd strongly advise picking up all 
                    three so that each version can be studied in order to gain 
                    a greater appreciation of the play. The Quick Text 
                    reads like your typical graphic novel, allowing the reader 
                    to grasp the story and characters; the Plain Text allows 
                    you to make the jump to a more complex reading of the play; 
                    and the Original Text throws you straight into Shakespeare's 
                    original dialogue. 
                  The 
                    Quick Text version also includes a more simplified 
                    synopsis at the start of the collection than is included in 
                    the Plain Text and Original Text editions. The 
                    back of each collection also includes additional information 
                    on William Shakespeare; King Henry V; The Battle of Agincourt; 
                    graphic novel page creation; the Globe theatre; and Shakespeare 
                    today. 
                  The 
                    idea behind this collection is so simple that I'm surprised 
                    that it hasn't been done before. This is an essential purchase 
                    for all who want to get to grips with Shakespeare's original 
                    play. 
                    
                  Nick 
                    Smithson  
                  
                     
                       
                        
                           
                             
                               
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                            £6.59 
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                            £9.49 
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                            £7.49 
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                        All prices correct at time of going to press. 
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