Review "Les liaisons dangereuses" a successful adaptation by Chiho Saito at Soleil manga

After Pride and Prejudice, it is the turn of another great classic of literature to be adapted into a manga by Chiho Saito, in large format at soleil: Les Liaisons dangereuses by Choderlos de Laclos. 

A cruel game of adults

At the alder of her 15 years, the young and candid Cécile left her convent by her mother. The latter has found him a good party, but the girl is very disappointed by her suitor who would be well old enough to be … Her father. Fortunately, she found in Mme de Merteuia wise confidante. But what she doesn't know is that she's about to throw herself into the wolf's mouth.

Betrayals and manipulations are at the heart of this classic which, published six years before the French Revolution, caused a scandal. The noble libertines are portrayed with cynicism. Morality and good morals are blithely trampled underfoot by the two main characters, so much so that, too close to real personalities, the names were changed at the time, in order to avoid any trial.

A subject that always finds a current resonance

Without being moralistic, the title takes a sharp and uncompromising look at its time and the condition of women who, even well-born, are kept in ignorance and dependence. Leaving their teenage convents to marry strangers much older than them, women, to whom nothing is forgiven unlike men, had to make much more effort than men in society to avoid any scandal or compromise.

This manga adaptation is a world first. Chiho Saito was able to highlight the most universal and contemporary themes of the title.Adapting such a dense work is not easy, but the author, with her long career, succeeds with all the honors. It is about love or rather love. Whether platonic, pure, passionate or misguided, the whole is worthy of the greatest soap operas.

On the graphics side, we are in the pure old-fashioned shojo. The costumes are impressive with all their details, as are the hairstyles and sets. The style is perfectly mastered.

Ideal for introducing dangerous liaisons to a new audience, this adaptation wins all our votes!