Asterix the Gaul [Hardcover]

Rene Goscinny (Author), Albert Uderzo (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004 | Series: Asterix (Book 1)

When Roman Centurion Crismus Bonus finds out about Getafix’s magic potion, he kidnaps the druid to force him to reveal the recipe. So Asterix joins his friend in captivity and together they two plan to whip up a surprise with truly hair-raising effects.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'As for the English adaptations of Asterix, they represent a real triumph of the translator's art. Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge have finessed every allusion and tweaked every joke, so that their cascading English verbal wit seems to come straight from the heart of the original books' -- Boyd Tonkin THE INDEPENDENT 'A cartoon drawn with such supreme artistry, and a text layered with such glorious wordplay, satire and historical and political allusion that no reader should ever feel like they've outgrown it...It is absurd that these wonderful books were ever out of print, and it's great to have them back' -- Andrew Mueller TIME OUT 'If you're new to the indomitable Gauls, our favourite is Asterix in Britain, for its wry wit lampooning the Brits' IRELAND ON SUNDAY 'There are plenty of Latin quips and snippets of Roman history, but enough low puns to make the stories as enjoyable as ever' EVENING STANDARD

Language Notes

Text: English (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Orion (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752866044
• ISBN-13: 978-0752866048
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,246 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant if flawed new edition of the Asterix series, July 29, 2004

By 

John Campbell (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Asterix the Gaul (Hardcover)

The appeal of the Asterix books is universal, and timeless. For children there are terrific stories well told, and dazzling illustrations. For adults - the real audience - there are Rene Goscinny's wonderful jokes and marvellous puns, interspersed with quotations from classical authors, The Bible, Napoleon, Shakespeare and many many more. And Albert Uderzo's illustrations are often simply breathtaking. So, many of the visual ideas in 'Asterix and Cleopatra' come from the movie 'Cleopatra' with Elizabeth Taylor and Rex Harrison. In 'Asterix the Legionary' the pirates' ship is sunk by Asterix and Obelix (again). The image of the pirates on a raft in mid ocean is derived from a 19th Century French Romantic painting, now in the Louvre, 'The Raft of the Medusa' by Gericault. In the French version the pirate captain says to the reader 'Je suis meduse' ('I'm stunned'). In English this is rendered equally cleverly as 'We've been framed, by Jericho.'

Ah, the translations. Asterix owes his success in the English-speaking world to the brilliance of the translators, Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge. They've been responsible for all the Asterix books since 'Asterix the Gaul' first appeared in English in 1969, an astonishing record of continuity. So true is their work to the spirit of the French originals, that it's as though Goscinny and Uderzo had produced the books in English in the first place. Some of the jokes are arguably better in English than in French, especially the names.

24 books were written by Rene Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo. Then in 1977 Goscinny died at the tragically early age of 51. Uderzo has since produced seven more books on his own, as well as some collections of other material, and they're very good. But Rene Goscinny's genius is sorely missed.

The French versions have never been out of print - hardly surprising as Asterix is a French national icon. But the first 24 in the series, the classic books, have been unavailable in English for several years. Now British publishers Orion Books have put that right, and - for the most part - they've made a very good job of it. The work of re-coloring and re-inking the pages has transformed them, especially the earliest book, 'Asterix the Gaul'. The typefaces have also been recast, and are more legible and closer in style to the French edition. And the books are now printed on high quality glossy paper in the classic hardback format. All in all, it's a vast improvement and the English-language books are now produced to a higher standard than the current French edition from Hachette. That's quite an achievement.

But there are flaws. Many of the jokes come from the imaginative use of different typefaces, an area in which both Goscinny and Uderzo had a special interest. So the Goths speak in Gothic script, the Egyptians in hieroglyphics (which are often really symbols from the Michelin Guide) and so on. Some of this has been lost in the new Orion versions. So whenever Obelix shakes someone, their words should appear twice, overlapping, to suggest vibration. In the new books they don't, and a good joke has been missed. And the cover of 'Asterix and Cleopatra' no longer boasts it's 'the greatest story ever drawn', in a deliberate echo of movie posters, Uderzo being a big Hollywood fan. And there are some other silly mistakes that weren't there before.

But these are quibbles. The Asterix series is triumphantly back for a new generation to enjoy. Buy all 31 (and 'Asterix and the Class Act', an excellent collection of shorter material). And then get them all again in French while you're about it, for more than double the fun. You, and your children, will be glad you did.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The beginning of a great legend..., June 26, 2000

By 

Angelo Akrobrat "akrobrat" (Fayetteville, AR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Asterix the Gaul (Adventures of Asterix) (Paperback)

This is the premier of the world-renowned Asterix series - one of the most humorous, most colorful series of comics that made and continues to make millions of children and adults smile. In this tale the reader is introduced to Asterix, his friends and their strange, yet lovable little village. The reader gets to meet the revered druid, aptly named "Getafix" and the bustling, burly chieftain, "Vitalstatistix." The story gives a lot of background to the entire comic series, including the nature of the magic potion and the reason why Obelix isn't allowed to touch it. The reader also learns about the Roman dilemma, which revolves around the little, indomitable Gaulish village.

This specific episode begins with the Romans sending a spy in to the village to discover their secret source of strength. Very soon, the Romans kidnap Getafix in the hopes that they could cajole the potion's formula out of him. However, the Romans are lined up to pay dearly because nobody lays one over on the Gauls without receiving a serious pounding on the skull!

Most Asterix titles are aimed at a teen/adult audience and they cleverly integrate many historical events in to their plots. There is also a deeper satirical presence throughout these books, and for that reason I feel that children under the age of 12 or so would not quite appreciate the humor. The violence is more along the lines of black eyes, dented armor and missing teeth, and hence should not worry a parent too much. This is one of the best Asterix comics, and since it started the chain reaction, this is the one to get FIRST!

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Little Bit of Fun, March 27, 2002

By 

Jedidiah Palosaari "Not My Real Name" (Fes, Morocco) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Asterix the Gaul (Adventures of Asterix) (Paperback)

Someplace growing up I ran into the Asterix titles, with a four volume set beginning with Asterix the Gaul. As a child I enjoyed the antics; as an adult I enjoy the puns and historical allusions. It continually amazes me to realize that this is originally a French production, and yet translated into English and some 20 other languages, and the puns *still* translate! That's not easy to do. And while later episodes decline in quality and are suitable more for children, stories like Asterix the Gaul are great for children of 30 years too.

The very names provide example of brilliant use of dialogue. Asterix- a small, seeming addition. Obelisk, who delivers menhirs. Getafix, the Druid. (Remember, this series began in the 60's.) Cacaphonix, the Bard, and Vitalstatistix, the chief. In the same vein, the authors use contemporary differences between cultures and play them upon the ancient Gaulish-Roman dispute. This is about the only place one can find swearing in Latin- "ipso facto", "sic", etc. Or the taking of Toutanis' name in vain.