Asterix and the Laurel Wreath (Asterix (Orion Hardcover)) [Hardcover]

Rene Goscinny (Author), Albert Uderzo (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Asterix (Orion Hardcover)

Chief Vitalstatistix has rashly bet his brother-in-law, the infuriating show-off Homeopathix, that he can get hold of Caesar's laurel wreath to season a stew. Of course, now it's up to Asterix and Obelix to go to Rome, find the wreath, and bring it back for the promised dinner. Can they save Vitalstatistix's honor?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rene Goscinny was born in Paris in 1926, and spent most of his childhood in Argentina, before eventually moving to Paris in 1951. He died in 1977. Albert Uderzo was born in 1927 in a small village in Marne, France. He met Rene Goscinny in 1951 and on 29 October 1959 their most famous creation, Asterix, made his first appearance on page 20 of Pilote. Asterix the Gaul, their first album, was published in 1961 and there have now been 33 Asterix albums. Albert Uderzo was born in 1927 in a small village in Marne, France. He met Rene Goscinny in 1951 and on 29 October 1959 their most famous creation, Asterix, made his first appearance on page 20 of Pilote. Asterix the Gaul, their first album, was published in 1961 and there have now been 34 Asterix albums.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Orion (April 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752866362
• ISBN-13: 978-0752866369
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good Collection of Asterix Adventures, October 28, 1999

By 

Mehul Shah (Boca Raton, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Asterix and Friends (The Adventures of Asterix) (Hardcover)

This Bind-up contains the following stories: 1)Asterix the Gladiator 2)Asterix in Switzerland 3)The Mansion of the Gods 4)Asterix and the Laurel Wreath 5)Obelix and Co. This collection of stories complements the other bindup books namely: Absolutely Asterix and Asterix Forever. A fun read. Will keep you entertained.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Asterix in Caesar's Palace, July 26, 2002

By 

Gary Selikow (Great Kush) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Asterix and the Laurel Wreath Pb ('goscinny') (Hardcover)

First published in French in 1972 as Les Lauriers de César, Asterix and the Laurel Wreath was first published in English in 1975.
Vitalstatistix, in a drunken outburst, boasts to Impedimenta's pompous brother, Homeopathix, which he will have a dish prepared, made from Caesar's laurel wreath.
Due to the honour and glory of the village, this now needs to be done, so Asterix and Obelix go to Rome, with the purpose of obtaining this item.
Here they get up to all sorts of escapades to get hold of the laurel wreath, including selling themselves as slaves, spending a night in Julius Caesar's palace prison, and another visit to the arena of the Circus Maximus (see Asterix the Gladiator).

In Rome they accidentally invent a recipe that provides an antidote to the ill effects of alcohol, thus setting in motion the eventual fall of the Roman Empire, (as the concoction will lead the Romans to feel free to indulge, forgetting that alcohol, unless taken in moderation is the father of all vices.)

There are many jokes in the Asterix albums that will escape younger readers. That's what makes the Asterix books so interesting. There are always rather subtle jokes that you discover on another reading!
This is one of the wittiest and most charming Asterix books.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take a look at Lutetia (Paris) and Rome in 50BCE, June 22, 2000

By 

garnemt (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Asterix and the Laurel Wreath Pb ('goscinny') (Hardcover)

This adventure begins in Lutetia, (the greatest city in the world), where Asterix learns he must travel to Rome (the greatest city in the world) and return with Caesar's Laurel Wreath. This intricately drawn book features stunning drawings of Lutetia and Rome in 50BCE, as well as many new hilarious characters (Vitalstatistix's inlaws! Characiture Romans! Circus beasts! Many more!). Goscinny and Uderzo are at their best in this work, treating readers with characters and plot-lines which are nearly pure distillations of the comic muse. The architecture of Rome is featured prominently in the background, and you will see many views of the Palatine Hill, the Colosseum, the slave market, patrician residences and Caesar's palace. Now 32, I've been enjoying this book since I was 7 years old, and the combination of pure comedy and intricate artwork guarantees that you will too!