THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY
It is the year 1992, and there was a little kid who was lying on the bed with a fractured leg, thanks to a long dive from the bicycle. He had been reading too much Malayalam books every day, but the situation changed as all the books in the local book stores were labelled ’’already read’’ and it was not even past half of the month. It demanded an encroachment into his cousin’s English books, and he started with a book whose name started with ’’F’’ (F for Frankenstein only) and seemed to be a bit confused.
He was a bit confused about the next choice, until he saw a funny midget and a fat guy on the cover of a book. Thus from curiousity, and due to the fact that there was nothing else to do, he dived into that book, and it was only the beginning. That kid used to ask for Asterix books at the local book store every day, and the guy there almost went crazy and started going for drinking tea whenever he saw the kid coming! Hope you know whom that diving kid is!
Asterix is the best work of René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, and Uderzo was the one who continued the series after Goscinny’s death. Asterix was actually a French comic which was translated into a number of languages. Its hard to believe, but the first French satellite was named Asterix-1 due to this great work! The book is suitable for the people of all ages, and there is no boring page in any of the Asterix books.
HISTORIC BACKGROUND
Even if the Roman Empire was one of the strongest in the world, they always faced strong resistance from the different tribes of Gauls, who were comparitively less civilized than the Romans. Julius Caesar was the one who completed the task of capturing the Gaulish area, by defeating the Celtic tribes in the Gallic Wars of 58 - 51BC. After this event, there was also a Gallo-Roman culture spread in the Empire.
The story of Asterix and friends is supposed to be setup in 50 BC, and the Gaul is almost occupied by the Roman legionary, but a small village still manages to remain free, but they are surrounded by Roman military camps - Aquarium, Laudanum, Totorum and Compendium.
But the life of the Romans are not too easy as the gauls who are almost invincible due a magic potion made by Getafix, always manages to beat the Roman army. The historic background is maintained throughout the story, and even the Gaulish Gods Toutatis and Belenos are there.
A FEW INTERESTING GAULISH CHARACTERS:
ASTERIX
A smaller, but a very intelligent gaul who can depend on his brain more than Getafix’s magic potion to escape from any trouble. His moustache makes him look like Hollywood Hulk Hogan (just avoid Hogan’s muscles).
OBELIX
Asterix’s best friend, his partner in all those freaky adventures. He is a menhir delivery man and even uses it as a weapon in some fights. He loves fighting and is addicted to wild boar and his cute dog Dogmatix. As he fell into a magic potion when he was a small kid, he has got the inhuman strength without drinking the potion.
Best seen in: Obelix and Co.
DOGMATIX
Obelix’s dog, very small and cute, but loves biting Romans, and he plays a major role in most of the fights. He may be unique among all dogs!
VITALSTATISTIX
The chief of the Gaulish village who is brave, confident, hot-tempered and respected by all the gauls, except his wife who also manages to call him ’’Piggywiggy’’. He has got one big fear - he is afraid that the sky may fall on his head tomorrow. So keep saying ’’Tomorrow never comes’’! (Not like the James Bond movie - Tomorrow never dies).
Best seen in: The Big Fight.
GETAFIX
The druid of the village who got the skill to make magic potions. He can not only make the potion for invinsible strength, but also a few others. He spends most of the time searching for medical herbs.
Best seen in: Operation Getafix.
CACOFONIX
The bard who thinks that he himself is a musical genius. But every one else in the village thinks that he is unbearable. But as long as he keeps his mouth shut, there is no problem.
Best seen in: The Magic Carpet.
UNHYGENIX
Almost every fight in the village starts off with the fish sold by this fellow. It is highly unhygenic and it seems that his fish is getting more popularity than himself in the book.
FULLIAUTOMATIX
This Iron Monger is quite a strong man and is part of most of the fights, and he hates the fish of Unhygenix more than he loves his job.
HOMEOPATHIX
The brother-in-law of Vitalstatistix who is a proud man living in the city. He considers the Gaulish chief as a lesser human being and never misses a chance to ridicule him. But Vitalstatistix doesn’t hesitate to return the favour in any manner possible.
Best seen in: The Laurel Wreath.
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Just like the Gaulish names end with ’’IX’’, the Roman names seemed to end with ’’US’’, like Typhus, Classicus, Minus, Humerus, Delicius, Metatasus. But most of the Roman characters doesn’t appear in more than one story. Well, they are the ones who are destined to be hit all over the place by the gauls and may be the names doesn’t matter! The name of the Britons end with ’’AX’’ and those of Goths with ’’IC’’.
Asterix used to be one of my favourite childhood books. I have seen a movie based on the book, but it just wasn’t too impressive. Reading the book is a different feeling as it is presented in a really interesting manner and the funny scenes are just too good. My favourite Asterix books used to be ’’Asterix and the Big Fight’’, ’’Asterix and the Laurel Wreath’’ and ’’Asterix and the Goths’’, and I am lucky enough to have a collection of all the 35 books. Hope you all dive into these books.....
Visit https://asterix.com/ for more details.....
Diving out.....
TENY