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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most enjoyable of the lot., 10 May 2000
By A Customer
The brilliant Asterix series hits one of its high points here. Asterix in Britain provides a golden opportunity for Goscinny and Uderzo to lampoon Britishness and the British (which the French are always eager to attempt!), an opportunity that they seize with both hands.The pages are packed with a vast array of (affectionate) British stereotypes, with constant themes being the language ("oh, I say, rather, old fruit, what?") and the famous "stiff upper lip" that my compatriots are supposed to exhibit. Obelix, of course, would rather they spent a little more time on cooking boar properly ("boiled in mint sauce, poor things")! As with the whole Asterix series (the books written by Goscinny, in any case), the action comes at a furious pace, and the jokes are, as ever, a delight. How Bell and Hockridge (the English translators) do it is beyond me. And it's even educational - thanks to the frequent Latin tags (yes, it is funnier if you learn what they say and where they come from). As with most Asterix books, this one can be read on several levels. Certainly, when I reread an Asterix book, I almost always find that I understand some reference or allusion for the first time (have a look at shape of the building behind the garden of the Briton who gets involved in the chariot chase!). Most Asterix books have one particularly memorable scene - in this case, it's the rugby match (Obelix, naturally, has now found a reason to like Britain). All sorts of things going on (including in the background, a sure sign of a good cartoon), loads of people involved, mostly at cross-purposes, fights - you name it, really. Only three points for a try in those days, I notice... If you've never read an Asterix book, you've missed a great deal. Try this one (especially if you're British yourself) and you'll see what I mean.
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by René Goscinny
by René Goscinny
by René Goscinny
by René Goscinny
by Rene Goscinny
