Pour lire cette
critique en anglais, clique ici
Note: I read the comic
in French, and thus, I would be using the names of the respective characters in
French. For example, I’d refer to Cacofonix as Assurancetourix, Vitalstatistix
as Abraracourcix, Watziznem as Kiçàh, etc.
This is a comic by René Goscinny and
illustrated by Albert Uderzo. I read this book in English sixteen years ago in
English and now, read again in French to reminisce my memories and improve my
French.
The Gaulish village is rebuilt after the
previous Roman attack. The Gaulish bard, Assurancetourix’s songs are bringing
rainfall. In the meantime, India suffers from drought and the river Ganga is dry.
The evil vizier of the kingdom, Kiowala’s only solution is to sacrifice
Princess Rahàzade to the gods. The Fakir Kiçàh (Watziznem) approaches the village
for help and wants Assurancetourix to sing in their kingdom.
Asterix, Obelix and Idéfix (their pet dog)
accompany Assurancetourix for protection. The fakir has a magic carpet that can
fly. The four set towards India in the carpet. However, arriving in India,
Assurancetourix loses his voice. They need to cure him and save the princess.
For a change, this time, their enemy is not the Romans but the vizier Kiowala.
I liked the illustrations of various places
they go to, Greece, Persia and India. I also liked the character of Kiçàh, who
was witty and funny. I also liked the change in enemy, that this time they
fought Scythians, pirates and the men of Kiowala. It is a very good adventure
involving all landscape, the sea, the desert, the forest and the city.
I didn’t like that Asterix and Obelix had very
little role in this book. Obelix was feeling hungry all the time. The change of
font while talking to Greeks to indicate change of language was irritating
(Persians and Indians also spoke different languages but font was same).
I enjoyed the story and my French is better
than what it was before reading the story. I give the comic a rating of eight
on ten.
Rating – 8/10
Have a nice day,
Andy
Andy
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