Monday 27 September 2010

Asterix The Gaul


I don't often read graphic novels but the few I have read I have enjoyed. Some people do not consider graphic novels to be serious reading material and I can see their point but at the same time I think it is fun to read them from time to time and they sometimes have a surprising amount to offer.

The Asterix comic books are a good example of this. First published in France in 1959, there have been 34 books to date, the most recent written in 2009. There have also been 11 films (animated and otherwise) and several video games. There is even a theme park in Paris! Asterix books have sold 325 million copies worldwide.

In Asterix The Gaul we are introduced to Asterix; a hunter from Roman occupied Gaul (modern day France) The whole of Gaul is under Roman control with the exception of Asterix's small village. This is due to a magic potion brewed by the village druid (cheekily named, in a stroke of pure genius, 'Getafix') which gives the Gaul warriors superhuman strength for a limited time. Asterix has all sorts of adventures but spends most of his time beating the tar out of Roman soldiers after consuming the magic potion. This isn't to say the books are particularly violent and the fighting is always akin to the sort of Tom and Jerry 'saucepan in the face' slapstick children find hilarious. There is no blood and gore which is refreshing and certainly no cursing. All the characters in Asterix books carry swords but seem to prefer to use their fists (which is probably just as well!)

This isn't just a kids book. There is adult humour too, some of it tongue-in-cheek, sometimes satire, sometimes plays on words but always witty and good natured. A good example is the Roman centurion named 'Crismus Bonus'

All in all I found the book to be great good natured fun and I can easily see how the books could become collectable, they are very nicely put together and the illustrations are wonderful, clearly a lot of time and care went into drawing them. Although I'm no expert I have been confidently assured that the French to English translation is first class and very accurate.

Final verdict 4/5

Chris

10 comments:

  1. squee!
    I loved watching the Asterix and Obelix movies when I was a kid. I remember the one about Cleopatra and the first one. I really should try to find the graphic novels.
    Thanks for this!

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  2. By God I've spent plenty of time perusing these, how could anyone not fall in love with Asterix & his pals Chief Vitalstastix, obelix & if I remember the lousy musician Cacofonix, Just brilliant.

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  3. @ Birdie: I remember the cartoons of Asterix and Obelix long before I knew there were books, they are great fun and worth a look!

    @ Parrish Lantern: You remember the names well! lol they are great fun and I do intend on getting hold of a few more copies, possibly all of them (if the wife allows!) I also love Garfield books and have quite a collection left over from when I was a kid

    Chris

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  4. There's a great article on the translations on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_translations_of_Asterix
    The text is crammed full of puns, and the English translators had the added tasks of finding suitable British equivalents. I read some Asterix in French some years ago when I did conversation lessons as the original is very colloquial - but if you don't know the French puns, it's not funny so much as interesting!

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  5. Are you going to review a Garfield book, that would be entertaining. Earlier this year, my 9 yr old daughter & I did a post on Dr Sueuss heres the link if you'd like to check it out.http://parrishlantern.blogspot.com/2010/07/bedtime-tale_19.html

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  6. When I worked in a bookstore, the only people who bought the Asterix/Tin Tin books were die-hard (adult) collectors!

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  7. @ Annabel: That was interesting to read, thanks for sharing :o)

    @ Parish Lantern: It has been some time since i've sat down and read a Garfield book which I must remedy soon, maybe i'll post a review but i'm not sure people would be interested enough! lol

    @ Clover: I'm pleased to hear adults enjoy Asterix comics, I must admit I think most of the humour is designed to make adults chuckle :o)

    Chris

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  8. I LOVE Asterix comics! I read them a lot when I was a kid, and a few years ago I bought a few - I'd like to get them all, they're so funny! They taught me a lot about puns ;) And also how far the Roman Empire stretched!

    The best thing is, they're comics for adults aren't they - there was a lot I didn't understand when I read them as a kid that I get as an adult. I'm always surprised to meet people who've never even heard of Asterix and Obelix. I kind of think of them as being iconic like TinTin and Garfield - old and famous and still popular.

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  9. @ Shannon: You are right, Asterix comics are full of adult humour. I never read the comic books as a child but I do remember the cartoons and some of it I just didn't get! Having said that there is still enough to keep the kids happy too :o)

    Chris

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  10. I came across you by complete randomisnem. And whats hilarious is that my sibs JUST borrowed an Asterix movie! So this must be fate xD
    So...
    Im given ya the "One Lovely Blog" Award bc u like soo deserve it C=

    Go here to figure out what you do now: http://theclumsyreader.blogspot.com/2010/09/one-lovely-blog-award.html

    Have your self a Lovely day and hope you get a book on your wish list ^_^

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