Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

The Asterix series are fun adventures in historical settings. In this one they are trying to take the Ceasar's Laurel Wreath, so they can make soup. My siblings and I like this series because they include Latin phrases, and we are studying Latin. We bought this one because we already have this title in other languages--all of which have some Latin! They are really funny.

Every Asterix adventure is a fun read, so I loved all 5 adventures in this collection, viz., 'Asterix and The Laurel Wreath', 'Asterix in Switzerland', 'Mansion of the Gods', 'Obelix and Co', 'Asterix The Gladiator'.
However I thought the stories could have been arranged more thematically. None of the adventures in this book share any common theme. Eg, 'Asterix and the Laurel Wreath' and 'Asterix and the Chieftan's Shield' belonged together in one collection, or, 'Obelx and Co', 'Asterix and the Roman Agent', and 'Asterix and Caesar's Gift' belonged together, as they all deal with the Romans' attempts to sow discord in the Gaulish village we all know very well.
But, on the whole, no regrets with the stories themselves. All rate 5 stars!

After the chief promises his brother in-law to make a stew seasoned with Julius Caesars Laurel Wreath he sends Asterix and Obelix to Rome to find it and bring it back. And from here the typical Asterix adventures ensue. The Gaulish pair sell themselves as slaves to a wealthy Roman, get thrown to the lions in the circus, briefly become bandits and work out a hangover cure. Plus they do the obligatory Roman bashing and have the celebratory feast at the end. This is pretty standard fare as far as Asterix books go and you get the usual play on words and humorous names (Typhus and Metatarsus for example). The drawing is a lot looser than in some other Asterix books I have read, but there are still plenty of small touches that make these enjoyable to read again and again. The Asterix series is pretty formulaic, but they are also familiar and good fun and this book is no exception. It isn't the best Asterix book you will ever read, but it is a worthy addition to the overall series and is worth buying at some point.

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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. And in my opinion, this is one of the high points among the dozens of adventures.

Why do I like this particular Asterix so much? There are a few reasons:

1) As with many of the best Asterix books, this one has elements that will appeal to adults or are adult in nature. Take, for example, the classic scene where the Chief, Impedimenta, Asterix, and Obelix arrive at the snooty in-laws' Paris home for dinner--the combination of word and art is sophisticated, true-to-life, and hilarious.

2) This book was done in 1972, a period when both Goscinny and Uderzo were at the very height of their powers. The artwork in particular is outstanding. Check out the jaw-dropping draftsmanship (pre-computer assisted!); the fluidity of line and brushwork; the utterly satisfying and convincing density of detail paired with an almost paradoxical, miraculous legibility; and the gorgeous pallette. The achievement is all the more astonishing when you consider that Uderzo almost never had any assistance with any of the artwork (there are one or two exceptions) and he was and is color-blind! Just amazing.

Is this the best Asterix story? Maybe, maybe not. Who can say? But it certainly boasts all the elements that have earned its enduring place deep in the hearts of hundreds of millions of readers: incisive human observation, humor, adventure, and a joyful expressiveness that attains a sublime poetical lyricism--through which the deep affection of the characters for one another--and of the creators for their creation--shines through on every page.

Just read it and you'll find out why several people still read this humorous comic book.

Rene Goscinny, Asterix and the Laurel Wreath (Dargaud, 1972)

Vitalstatistix's brother-in-law comes to town, and during an argument, Vitalstatistix claims that he'll make a stew seasoned with Caesar's laurel wreath. Asterix and Obelix to the rescue! The problem is that, in order to get into Caesar's palace, they need to pose as slaves in the slave market, and get bought by an exceptionally odd family... one of the minor Asterix books, but it's a lot of fun, a very enjoyable read. ***

Originally done as a comic in a french childrens' magazine, the Adventures of Asterix the Gaul have grown beyond that small framework and can be enjoyed by peoples around the world. the idea is that in the world of 55BC all Gaul has been conquored by the Romans, except for one small village which holds out against the invaders. The source of their survival is a magic potion brewed by the village Druid which gives the drinker superhuman strength. The Gauls are not waging a war with the Romans, they just go about their lives and after being thumped a few times, the local Romans are more than happy to let them do it.

When Chief Vitalstatisics makes a drunken bet with his brother in law that he will make a stew flavored with Caesar's laurel wreath, it is Asterix and his friend Obelix who are sent to recover the imperial garnish.

The adventure leads them to Rome where they try to find their way into the staff of the imperial servants, only to find that not just anyone can be an imperial slave-The quote that springs to mind is "We'll fight to lose our Freedom!"

Along the way all sorts of social norms are crossed and an antihang over recipie is introduced that should never, EVER be tried by anyone not currently a member of the Imperial Senate!