Customer Reviews

Asterix and the Normans (Asterix (Darguard))

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This album was first published in French ,in 1966 , as Asterix et les Normans
and in English , in 1978.
Vitalstatistix' brat nephew , Justfokix, is sent to our friends' village , to become a man.
Being not a particularly brave sort , it is particularly unfortunate for Justforkix that his visit coincides with a visit by the fierce Normans , who are on an expedition to learn the meaning of fear .
Thus another adventure begins (especially after the Normans kidnap Justforkix ) , pitting the wills of the fearless Gauls against those of the fearless Normans , with the hapless Romans thrown in the middle.
Two interesting cultural references in this book are to those of the warlike and doughty Normans , with their glasses made from their enemies skulls 'eek , their ale and their delicious cream sauce dishes , Boar in cream sauce ,chicken in cream sauce , sausages in cream sauce etc.
Also remember this book was written at a time when the Rolling Stones where hitting the world like a bolt of thunder-1966- and Justforkix brings some 50 BC rock music to the village .
Talking of music , it is Cacofonix ' singing that actually saves the day , but , then , I don't want to reveal too much of the plot.

No matter how many times you read these asterix comics, youfind something new each time! Thats what makes these bookspriceless. Its all in the clever plot and the excellent artwork. The best compliment I can give to the superb translation work by Anthea Bell and Derick Hockridge is that for the first few years when I read Asterix books as child , I never realised or noticed they were translated.

This is one of my favourite adventures: excellent puns and references to pop culture, these savages are a riot!

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. In addition, this time I am also reading the new ones, this one, however, is an old classic, and one of the best Asterix books ever written.

I have to admit that I have not yet read this one in English. I read the old Swedish version and translated to English for my kids as I went along. Except for the names of the characters I don't think it could have been a big discrepency. In any event, it is a really hilarous story about Vikings in search for the ultimate truth, they want to know what fear is. They did get what they came for. It is a great "be careful what you wish for" story.

I also like this one because Cacofonix is a hero this time (his Swedish name is Troubadix). Cacafonix is beaten up so often in these books that this was needed. I have read this Asterix to my kids several times already.

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.

The Normans have a problem, they don't know the meaning of the word fear! So they've come to the little village we all know so well hoping to find it there. Of course, the Gauls aren't too sure about the meaning of fear either. Will the Normans ever find what they are seeking so they can embark on a life of plunder and conquest? Ha, Ha, Ha, do you have to ask? Excellent book.