Customer Reviews

Asterix the Gladiator (Asterix (Orion Hardcover))

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the first Asterix book I have read. The names of the characters are a little weird, but it's still an extremely good book!

Odious Asperagus, the Roman Prefect of Gaul, wants to give Julius Caesar a present. So he kidnaps Cacofonix, the Gaulish bard, to give to Caesar as a present! (Cacofonix is a really bad singer, too!) So, Asterix and Obleix go to rescue Cacofonix from the Romans.

This book is really exciting, interesting, and funny. The pictures in this book are great. My favorite parts are when Obleix says his favorite saying, "These Romans are crazy!" Whenever Obleix smells wild boar, he just dashes for it! (It's his favorite food.)

Me and my Dad are reading it together, even though I finished the whole book already! I think this book is just as super for kids as it is for grown-ups!

Julius Ceasar has conquered Gaul, almost all of it....except that little village of indominatable Gauls that still holds out. Aided by the magic potion of Druid Getafix that confer's superhuman strength, Asterix and Obelix confound Ceasar's plans in bring them under Pax Romana. In Asterix the Gladiator, the village bard Cacofonix (arguably the worst singer in the world) is kidnapped and scheduled to be thrown to the lions in Rome and the only way Asterix and Obleix can rescue him is by becoming gladiators themselves... This is one of the best in the series. The whole crazy cast of them is there...Vitalstatistix, everyone's favorite chief, Fulliautomatix the blacksmith, Unhygenix the fishmonger....and dont miss Cacofonix's hilarious performance in the arena when he decides to serenade the citizens of Rome.

As a child, I read all of the "classic" Asterix books in Swedish. As an adult living in the U.S., I am reading them again to my children, but this time in English. This is an old classic, and it is very entertaining.

Asterix and Obelix live in small village in Gaul that Julius Caesar never succeeded to subdue. In this story, the village bard (whose musical talents are beyond frightening), is kidnapped, and sent to Rome as a gift to Julius Caesar. Even though the villagers rather not hear his voice again, they set out to rescue him. However, before he is home safe and sound, he will have his chance to perform (torture more accurately) for Julius Caesar and the citizens of Rome.

I find that children the age 5-13 usually really enjoy these books, not just mine. These comic books are a great way to teach children ancient history. Naturally, the adult needs to help with the differentiation between fiction and history. From these books, my kids have learned about the Roman Empire, the ancient Greeks, the Vikings, the Goths, the Phoenicians, ancient Gaul, ancient Egypt, and the ancient Mediterranean world in general.

Asterix The Gladiator was first published in French in 1964 as "Astérix Gladiateur " and in English in 1969.Asterix and Obelix set out for Rome to rescue the Bard Cacofonix who has been captured by the Romans as a gift idea by Prefect Odius Asparagus for Julius Caesar.
This will be their first visit to Rome , they meet the unscrupulous Phoenician merchant Economikrisis who will feature again in later Astrix albums and for the first time they run into the Pirates (to the Pirate's great cost) as they will time and time again!
In order to find Cacofonix they become Gladiators and soon drive the slave driver Cauis Fatuous crazy . Cacofonix however is quite able to look after himself as his singing drives the Romans even crazier...
As usual their mission is successfully accomplished to everyone's satisfaction (except Cauis Fatuous who gets his comeuppance).

`Asterix the Gladiator' is one of my favourite Asterix books and it has all the elements of the series I have grown to love. It has a simple but engaging story, the excellent tongue in cheek humour, the delightful animation and plenty of play on words that always raise a smile. This has so many aspects that make this particular book enjoyable, be it the various funny names (Odius asparagus for example) or nice touches like Obelix collecting Roman helmets as a tally of the soldiers he has beaten up, this book is charming throughout. This follows Asterix and Obelix as they go to rescue their bard Cacofonix who is captured by the Romans and is condemned to being thrown to the lions. The only way they can get to him is by becoming Gladiators and it is here that the real fun begins. Of course there is much Roman bashing, the inevitable pirates will get sunk and I'm sure there is a roast boar or two in there and it is these common themes to each book that delight fans, whilst the individual stories keep you from getting bored with the format. If you haven't tried any Asterix books yet then this is a pretty good place to start, it has all the aspects that have made the series so beloved and it is a great story to boot. I have read this many times and still enjoy it and I'd say it is a pretty safe bet most other readers will as well.

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I have been a fan of comics for more than 40 years now and the Asterix books have been among my favorites for about 35. In general they embody a combination of winning characters, intelligence, fun, and virtuosic artwork that is almost unique in the power of its totality.

This is one of the earlier stories, maybe the second one written, but already we can see not just the seeds but the vigorous young shoots of genius that will soon burst into full bloom: the fully-developed historical setting, the trademark joke names of all the characters, the surprising juxtaposition of ancient and modern, the incisive social commentary, and above all the humor. The artwork is a bit more polished than the initial episode too; the growing confidence of the two creators is almost palpable.

This tale features Cacophonix the bard, though he remains "off screen" for much of the book. The treatment of the historical phenomenon of the gladiators make this an enduring classic of the series.

Asterix and Obelix go to Rome and give us an opportunity to have a look at how some of the common Roman place must have been like. A street mirrors some of Pompei's own walkways. Of course, the ever present comical environment is always a great ingredient in this adventure.

Lots of fun to read if you love plays on words and have some understanding of the Roman Empire, and classic literature. The comic book form makes it appealing to young readers as well, and may inspire them to look further into historical events parodied here.

A Roman official makes a big mistake. Needing to get Caesar a present, he decides on an invincible Gaul, and choose Cacofonix, because he is easy to capture owing to his solitary walks in the woods. Caesar isn't interested, and decides to throw him to the Lions.

Asterix and Obelix have to rescue him, of course, and after playing can't find out how to get into the gladiatorial arena two-step games for a while. They manage it, which is bad for the longevity of the career of the head of the Circus.

"Asterix the Gladiator" is the fourth Asterix comic in the series, first published in 1964. It's a fairly enjoyable story, and worth a read for Asterix fans.

The Prefect of Gaul is heading back to Rome for some leave, and tradition says that he must bring back something for Caesar. He decides to bring a Gaul from Asterix's village, as their reputation suggests they might play well as gladiators at Circus Maximus. Cacofonix the bard is captured and taken away, and Asterix and Obelix head into Rome to get him back, sailing with Phoenicians, taking a Roman bath, and trying their own luck as gladiators.

It's a bit subdued, the story, but it's still pretty interesting.