Asterix and the Magic Carpet [Hardcover]

Albert Uderzo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Asterix (Book 28)

The little Gaulish village where Asterix and Obelix live has just one drawback - its bard is the worst musician in the entire ancient world. When Cacofonix strikes up, his singing sends the sun behind clouds and makes rain begin to fall. But that's just what they want in the distant Eastern kingdom of Rajah Watzit, where the guru Hoodunnit, with his sidekick Owzat, is threatening to end a terrible drought by sacrificing the lovely Princess Orinjade. The fakir Watziznehm arrives by flying carpet to ask the Gauls for help - and just for once, after many adventures, Cacofonix can feel that his talents are properly appreciated.

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. 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.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Orion (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752847155
• ISBN-13: 978-0752847153
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #62 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Europe

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cacofonix To The Rescue!, February 6, 2003

By 

Abhinav Agarwal (Bangalore, India) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Asterix and the Magic Carpet (Asterix (Orion Paperback)) (Paperback)

This is one of the later Asterix adventures, and though not in the same league as the earlier ones, this still packs a punch. Cacofonix sings, it rains. Not very good. Though this time his singing, er... raining skills are in demand. And that too in India. Otherwise a princess will be sacrificed by an evil vizier (are there any other kind :).
This is not the first adventure where Cacofonix saves the day - remember 'Mansion of the Gods'?
Well worth a read. I def recommend it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, funny story, November 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Asterix and the Magic Carpet (Asterix (Orion Paperback)) (Paperback)

A flying fakir from India falls into the Gaulish village, having been unbalanced by the sudden downpour caused by our bard's terrible singing. He's however delighted since the bard is who he came looking for, from distant India. Asterix, Obelix and Cacofonix accompany the fakir back to India where they help rescue the princess from two scheming crooks. Its hilarious!

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars One of the worst asterix comics, December 17, 2005

By 

Book Worm (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Asterix and the Magic Carpet (Asterix (Orion Paperback)) (Paperback)

I am a great fan of Asterix & Co. But this is one of the worst among the 30 odd Asterix books. This book was both written and illustrated by Uderzo. May be if Goscinny was there it might have turned out better. The drawings are drab and the jokes more stereo-typed than funny. It starts well, but after few pages the author doesn't know how to proceed. I am surprised that the author didn't do the usual research about the theme, here about India. Remember how the Asterix and Cleopatra turned out to be a master piece. Total lack of knowledge about India and its environments and relying solely on stereo-type based jokes ruined the storey.