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Blog Entry 15 of 65 The Front Range Reader
Books, books and more books. In my spare time, I write book blogs/reviews for websites specifically devoted to books and readers. Although I have an advanced degree in Comparative Literature (specialty in Medieval Studies) I love to read all sorts of books from medieval to modern literature, from light reading to literary.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~Merrimonbooks

Debbie Macomber in Manga!

Contributed by: Merrimon Crawford   on 4/12/2007

No Competition
by Debbie Macomber and art by Yukino Hara
Publisher: Harlequin Ginger Blossom (Sep 2006)
Trade Paperback
Category: Manga
ISBN: 0-373-18000-4

The only thing more fun than Debbie Macomber might be Debbie Macomber in Manga! This book is suitable for readers Age 12 and older and is a must have for adult Debbie Macomber fans. The illustrator Yukino Hara has captured all the fantastic subtlety and emotions of Macomber's characters.

Plot summary
Carrie Lockett has always lived in the shadow of her beautiful twin, Camille. Every time Carie had a boyfriend, he gravitated to Camille at first site. As a budding artist, Carrie paints a picture of her twin. When the rich, talented, and handsome architect Shane Reynolds buys the painting at a local exhibit, Carrie wonders whether the purchase was inspired by her talent or his fascination with her sister's beauty. When Shane commissions Carrie to do his portrait, will he discover her feelings for him? Even more, can she keep him away from her sister Camille? The surprise ending is classic Macomber and a perfect stroke --- a true delight!

Illustrations and book style
In true Manga style, this book is read from right to left not only in the pages but also from panel to panel. At the back (or traditional book front), the publisher has a helpful page instructing the reader how to read Manga and shows a numbered diagram about how to read the panels in the correct order. Even without this guide, the order becomes apparent intuitively within a page or three, but the diagram gives the reader confidence. The artwork is "printed in flirty pink ink" (quoted from the back cover) and reinforces the appeal to the female reader.

The drawings by Yukino Hara could not be more perfect as illustrations of the emotions and conflicts in Macomber's story. The eyes are expressive and emphasize the inner feelings of the characters. Even the drawings of the secondary characters such as the art gallery owner dazzle the reader. The small panels of such items as a wallet, a telephone and a credit card, heighten the suspense and the side dilemmas that motivate the characters. Yukino Hara uses one type of panel to indicate a passage of time and helps the reader notice the time and location shifts. Her use of modified Japanese characters heightens the emotions and the tension. Yukino Hara is a perfect match for Debbie Macomber in this Manga rendition of a fun tale.

Additional Notes
The publisher recommends this book for ages 12 and up. Personally, I think this book is suitable for girls perhaps a bit younger who may be reaching puberty and wondering about boys. Other than a kiss, there is no explicit sexuality. Above all, this book reinforces positive body images for girls and also an appreciation for the talents of individual over expectations.

This is the first book in the Harlequin Ginger Blossom line and a tremendous hit. Even if a reader has no interest in Manga itself, this book is a must for Debbie Macomber and adult reader romance fans. No Competition has all the plot and character devices of the romance genre with the added fun of superb highly expressive illustrations.

What is Manga?
The genre Manga derives from the Japanese word for comics or cartoons (in print). Manga developed from a mixture of ukiyo-e and foreign styles of drawing after World War. Traditionally, manga are written from right to left. According to Wikipedia, "Manga has also been noted for making female readers interested in comics. In a nation where the American comic book readership is largely dominated by males, females make up an unheard of 60% of all manga readership." An extensive history and discussion of Manga can be found on Wikipedia.com by searching Manga.

Personal notes
I just had to crack open this book the day it arrived! What a joy! I have never read Manga before but if it's Manga a la Debbie Macomber I am a fan! I read this one aloud to my husband last night and we were both amazed and delighted. I have read some of Macomber's great non-Manga scenes to him almost every time I read a Macomber romance and even he noticed the perfect fit of the art and her style.

Reading this book made me contemplate my reading as a youth ---what a nerd I was even then! I only read comics when there there was nothing else to read but this would have been fun. My first real novels were Walter Farley and Marguerite Henry. From 6th-8th grade, I was heavily into Hermann Hesse and had read about half of his ttranslated works. Mostly, I read my grandmother's books since I spent summers visiting her in Bermuda when I was young. Other than a couple of Victoria Holt novels, I had not read a romance before late last year when a dear bookstore friend introduced me to the genre. I really think I would have loved this Manga before age 12. It would have been so nice to see this kind of message and positive image in my young reading days!

What were your very first novels?


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Merrimon Crawford

Arvada , CO

Merrimon Crawford has posted 65 blog entries and 17 comments since joining on 12/15/2006. Merrimon Crawford 's average blog rating is 4.82.
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