Bibliography
Shan, D. and Arai, T. (2006). Cirque du freak: Volume 1. New York: Yen Press.
Manga
Plot
Darren Shan is a middle school student, is best friends with Steve. The friendship is based upon their mutual interest in horror, monsters and spiders. After visiting Steve’s house, Darren is approached by a stranger who gives him an advertisement for a freak show. Darren, Steve, and two other of their friends are interested in going; however, Steve is only able to get two tickets to the show. Steve and Darren are chosen to go. While there, the two witness things that appear too strange are nevertheless real. However at the end of the show, Steve is acting weird, he stays to speak to the show’s performer, Mr. Creepsley. Darren hides and watches the interchange between the two, with Steve accusing Creepsley of being a vampire. With what appeared to be an innocent circus advertisement changes Darren and Steve’s life forever.
Review
Cirque du Freak is a Graphic Novel edition of Shan’s popular series. While the characterization, descriptions and horror aspects of the book are somewhat lost in the graphic novel format, the overall plot and themes of the original story are well done. In many ways, this manga’s illustrations allow the reader to see Shan’s work. While it is not the same as the written work, the illustrations do an excellent job portraying facial expressions, the overall feel of the plot, and move the story along. The novel also includes the introduction and first chapter of Shan’s original work. Ultimately the manga does an excellent job promoting both the original text as well as introduce these characters in the Graphic Novel format.
Genre
Graphic Novel
Reading Level/Interest Level
Should appeal to boys and girls in grades 6-8.
Similar Content
The Darren Shan Saga by Darren Shan, and his other books.
Personal thoughts
Having read Shan’s first book in The Saga of Darren Shan series, this graphic novel includes the main points of the book without feeling rushed or fractured.
Subjects/themes
Monsters
Friendship
Rivalry
Awards
ALA’s Best Graphic Novel for 2010 List
Series information
The first in a graphic novel series. The original series has 12 books.
Character names/descriptions
Darren Shan: Protagonist, A thirteen year old who loves spiders.
Steve: Darren’s best friend, obsessed with monsters.
Mr. Creepsley: One of the performers in the show. Steve accuses him of being a vampire.
Annotation
Darren Shan loves spiders. When he sees a Freak Show advertisement, he needs to go to see Madam Octaaa, a trained poisonous spider. His life will never be the same.
Shan, D. and Arai, T. (2006). Cirque du freak: Volume 1. New York: Yen Press.
Manga
Plot
Darren Shan is a middle school student, is best friends with Steve. The friendship is based upon their mutual interest in horror, monsters and spiders. After visiting Steve’s house, Darren is approached by a stranger who gives him an advertisement for a freak show. Darren, Steve, and two other of their friends are interested in going; however, Steve is only able to get two tickets to the show. Steve and Darren are chosen to go. While there, the two witness things that appear too strange are nevertheless real. However at the end of the show, Steve is acting weird, he stays to speak to the show’s performer, Mr. Creepsley. Darren hides and watches the interchange between the two, with Steve accusing Creepsley of being a vampire. With what appeared to be an innocent circus advertisement changes Darren and Steve’s life forever.
Review
Cirque du Freak is a Graphic Novel edition of Shan’s popular series. While the characterization, descriptions and horror aspects of the book are somewhat lost in the graphic novel format, the overall plot and themes of the original story are well done. In many ways, this manga’s illustrations allow the reader to see Shan’s work. While it is not the same as the written work, the illustrations do an excellent job portraying facial expressions, the overall feel of the plot, and move the story along. The novel also includes the introduction and first chapter of Shan’s original work. Ultimately the manga does an excellent job promoting both the original text as well as introduce these characters in the Graphic Novel format.
Genre
Graphic Novel
Reading Level/Interest Level
Should appeal to boys and girls in grades 6-8.
Similar Content
The Darren Shan Saga by Darren Shan, and his other books.
Personal thoughts
Having read Shan’s first book in The Saga of Darren Shan series, this graphic novel includes the main points of the book without feeling rushed or fractured.
Subjects/themes
Monsters
Friendship
Rivalry
Awards
ALA’s Best Graphic Novel for 2010 List
Series information
The first in a graphic novel series. The original series has 12 books.
Character names/descriptions
Darren Shan: Protagonist, A thirteen year old who loves spiders.
Steve: Darren’s best friend, obsessed with monsters.
Mr. Creepsley: One of the performers in the show. Steve accuses him of being a vampire.
Annotation
Darren Shan loves spiders. When he sees a Freak Show advertisement, he needs to go to see Madam Octaaa, a trained poisonous spider. His life will never be the same.
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