Les Bijoux de la Castafiore (Les Aventures Du Tintin) [French] [Hardcover]

This is the only Tintin adventure where Tintin does not journey to distant lands for his adventures - the action is all sentenced around his home. As a result there is not the normal pace and excitment normally present in Tintin and perhaps this is why the book is not so popular with younger readers. However the story is still excellent in a more subtle way. Firstly the handling of the gypsies in the book is very sensitive and not prejudiced which is certainly not in keeping with the period in which the book was written. The gypsies are not depicted as a band of thieving rogues but a group of people abandoned by all sections of society. Herge plays very well on the inherent prejudices of the characters of the book very well throughout to give the gypsies a sympathetic representation. In this respect the book is excellent for young children since it will give them a broader view of the many peoples of the world. Secondly the subject of press intrusion is dealt with very well throughout the book. The visiting opera singer Bianca Castafiore is followed by journalists and her equivocal attitude to the press is hilarious - she embraces one magasine yet hates another simply because she didn't like one of the pictures of her which was published in it. Then of course there is the actual mystery of the emerald. Unlike other Tintin books the main theme seems to be fairly trifling and merely a source of continuity for the book. The reader is not engaged by the emerald's disappearance and in the end the thief turns out to be ..... (I won't spoil it). The illustrations in the book are particularly detailed and lush. This was Herge's ninteenth Tintin book and thus his style is established and refined as are his racial prejudices. In fact by now Herge was a champion of the anti-racism cause.

The Castafiore Emerald is probably one of Herge's most mature works. Although there is a story, this is inconsequential when compared to the other racial and political issues and the rich characters. Because of this fact the book would probably not be so engaging for younger readers but would certainly be diverting for older children and indeed educational in many ways.

As Castafiore repeatedly points out, she has brought along her jewels, including an emerald given the signora by the Maharajah of Gopal. The gypsy fortuneteller had already predicted the theft of the jewels and we expect her prophecy to come true, even though Castafiore is constantly yelling about her jewels missing. But you know that sooner or later this is going to come to pass and then it will be up to our intrepid reporter to solve the case and save the day. Meanwhile, Captain Haddock's life continues to be a string of minor misfortunes and misunderstands thanks to Castafiore, Professor Tournesol, the parrot, Dupont and Dupond, and the unwillingness of the local repairman to come out and fix that step.

"Les Bijoux de la Castafiore" derives its comedy from the clash of characters with Tintin staying out of the way for the most part. Of course, by this time in the series Hergé is completely comfortable with his cast of characters, which shows in the interplay, although I admit the diva is not my cup of tea. I just happen to really like the way Hergé represents other lands, so having him stay around the captain's house just seems to me to be an interlude from the main adventures. Still, "Les Bijoux de la Castafiore" is well worth the read Hergé does a delightful take on that new fangled invention, the television. Final Note: I like Hergé's quaint cover, with Castafiore singing for the cameras while a smiling Tintin reminds us to be quiet during the performance.