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Astérix #16
Asterix entre os Helvéticos
The governor of Gaul has always been a “creative” accountant. Now he’s under investigation by Vexatius Sinusititis—or he was, until someone poisons the investigator. In order to heal Vexatius, Asterix and Obelix set off to locate a special flower that grows only in Helvetia.
48 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1970
24 people are currently reading
1042 people want to read
About the author
René Goscinny
2,020 books1,234 followersRené Goscinny (1926 - 1977) was a French author, editor and humorist, who is best known for the comic book
Asterix
, which he created with illustrator Albert Uderzo, and for his work on the comic series Lucky Luke with Morris (considered the series' golden age).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
July 28, 2023
Eigentlich bin ich kein so großer Asterix und Obelix -Fan, aber das hier hat mir überraschend gut gefallen. Ich mochte den feinen Humor.
Asterix und Obelix sind in der Schweiz, da sie für eine Medizin ein Edelweiß benötigen. Es gibt einige feine Hinweise auf typisch Schweizerisches, zum Beispiel das schweizer Uhrwerk oder auch das schweizer Bankkonto. Und natürlich den Käse :-)
Mich hat es sehr gut unterhalten können.
Asterix und Obelix sind in der Schweiz, da sie für eine Medizin ein Edelweiß benötigen. Es gibt einige feine Hinweise auf typisch Schweizerisches, zum Beispiel das schweizer Uhrwerk oder auch das schweizer Bankkonto. Und natürlich den Käse :-)
Mich hat es sehr gut unterhalten können.
July 17, 2019
So what exactly makes the Asterix Comics for the most part so much fun, what makes them such personal treasures and such successful satires, and what then also renders even their often constant "political incorrectness" both acceptable and actually usually also laugh out loud hilarious? For one (and in my opinion very much importantly) author René Goscinny (and by extension also illustrator Albert Uderzo) generally NEVER single out one ethnic or cultural group for their jokes and humour (both textual and illustrative). For indeed, Goscinny and Uderzo almost ALWAYS spread their satires, their humorous asides, their parodies and stereotypes pretty much right across the board so to speak, with everyone, from Asterix and Obelix to the Romans, and in this here case, in Asterix Chez les Helvètes, of course, the Swiss, being painted and depicted with entertainment, with similar and equal smiling, satirical brushes.
And for two (and this might in fact be even more essential as to why the Asterix comics are such perennial wonders), the actual villains (the bona fide and true nasties) of the diverse episodes are generally and usually solely individually problematic and vile characters in and of themselves, which means that they are not considered worrisome and cringeworthy because of their ethnicity and culture, but because they just happen to be people, they are persons with an inherent nastiness both internal and external. And while these villains can be Roman (and yes, are often Roman, but do not in fact have to be Roman, as the villains of the Asterix comics actually appear in many guises and from many cultures), they are villains not because they are Roman (or from any culture, for that matter), but because they happen to be just bad and worthlessly mean-spirited entities, very bad and annoying human beings (for example, in Asterix chez les Helvètes, the main and yes inherently nasty villain Governor Garovirus is not a virally horrid specimen because he is Roman, but because he is a decadent politician loving and living the so-called high life, withholding collected tax income from Julius Caesar and of course doing everything, including resorting to poisoning, to avoid being caught, to avoid an investigation).
Highly recommended are both Asterix chez les Helvètes and indeed the rest of the Asterix comics (well, at least those episodes written by René Goscinny, as the ones both penned and illustrated by Albert Uderzo after Goscinny's death are unfortunately not nearly as deliciously funny). However, and at least for me personally, if you can read French sufficiently at an intermediate and above level, the Asterix comics should really be enjoyed in the original, as the translations, while of course generally adequate, often simply cannot and do not come even remotely close to capturing all of the humour and satire (and especially the many historical, political allusions) of the original French texts.
And for two (and this might in fact be even more essential as to why the Asterix comics are such perennial wonders), the actual villains (the bona fide and true nasties) of the diverse episodes are generally and usually solely individually problematic and vile characters in and of themselves, which means that they are not considered worrisome and cringeworthy because of their ethnicity and culture, but because they just happen to be people, they are persons with an inherent nastiness both internal and external. And while these villains can be Roman (and yes, are often Roman, but do not in fact have to be Roman, as the villains of the Asterix comics actually appear in many guises and from many cultures), they are villains not because they are Roman (or from any culture, for that matter), but because they happen to be just bad and worthlessly mean-spirited entities, very bad and annoying human beings (for example, in Asterix chez les Helvètes, the main and yes inherently nasty villain Governor Garovirus is not a virally horrid specimen because he is Roman, but because he is a decadent politician loving and living the so-called high life, withholding collected tax income from Julius Caesar and of course doing everything, including resorting to poisoning, to avoid being caught, to avoid an investigation).
Highly recommended are both Asterix chez les Helvètes and indeed the rest of the Asterix comics (well, at least those episodes written by René Goscinny, as the ones both penned and illustrated by Albert Uderzo after Goscinny's death are unfortunately not nearly as deliciously funny). However, and at least for me personally, if you can read French sufficiently at an intermediate and above level, the Asterix comics should really be enjoyed in the original, as the translations, while of course generally adequate, often simply cannot and do not come even remotely close to capturing all of the humour and satire (and especially the many historical, political allusions) of the original French texts.
September 27, 2012
"Damn Swiss bureaucrats! Now we have to fill out this form!"
July 27, 2020
jajajaja, ha sido muy bueno este libro de Asterix, con todos los tópicos de Suiza: el queso, los Alpes, la puntualidad,...uno de mis favoritos.
August 3, 2021
People in Helvetia really stick to cleaning 😃
Endless fun.
Endless fun.
December 27, 2023
Virus, Statthalter von Condate, ist eher wegen seiner ausschweifenden Orgien bekannt als wegen des Geldes, dass er Rom einbringt. Das fällt nämlich überraschend gering aus – findet auch Cäsar und schickt deshalb einen Quästor in die gallische Provinz, der Virus‘ Einnahmen und Ausgaben prüfen soll. Doch kurz nach seiner Ankunft wird Quästor Claudius Incorruptus von einer mysteriösen Krankheit befallen, die ihn beinahe sein Leben kostet.
Heilung ist nur mithilfe eines Tranks möglich, der allerdings das seltene Edelweiss beinhaltet. Deshalb machen sich Asterix und Obelix auf ins helvetische Hochgebirge, um das kleine Blümelein zu finden – denn wie Miraculix zu Beginn des Abenteuers sagt: «Wenn einer krank ist, muss man ihm helfen. Auch wenn's ein Römer ist.»
Doch irgendjemand scheint durchaus Interesse daran zu haben, dass Claudius Incorruptus nicht wieder gesund wird. Zum Glück finden die Gallier in den Helvetiern treue Verbündete, mögen sie auch noch so seltsame Angewohnheiten haben…
KUCKUCK!
___________________________
Okay guys, that’s it. This is hands down the best Asterix of them all, nothing left to discuss here.
Heilung ist nur mithilfe eines Tranks möglich, der allerdings das seltene Edelweiss beinhaltet. Deshalb machen sich Asterix und Obelix auf ins helvetische Hochgebirge, um das kleine Blümelein zu finden – denn wie Miraculix zu Beginn des Abenteuers sagt: «Wenn einer krank ist, muss man ihm helfen. Auch wenn's ein Römer ist.»
Doch irgendjemand scheint durchaus Interesse daran zu haben, dass Claudius Incorruptus nicht wieder gesund wird. Zum Glück finden die Gallier in den Helvetiern treue Verbündete, mögen sie auch noch so seltsame Angewohnheiten haben…
KUCKUCK!
___________________________
Okay guys, that’s it. This is hands down the best Asterix of them all, nothing left to discuss here.
May 5, 2020
Μετά από τέσσερα χρόνια διαμονής στην Ελβετία, αυτό το άλμπουμ είναι “επώδυνα” ακριβές και χτυπάει διαφορετικά Χαχαχ. ΑΥΤΗ Η ΕΜΜΟΝΗ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΚΑΘΑΡΙΟΤΗΤΑ :P
January 1, 2020
Ehhehe, mélyen együtt tudok érezni a helvétekkel, akik rosszul vannak az összesározott padlótól, kosztól, rumlitól stb. A svájci bankok, a semlegesség poénjai is nagyon ültek, remek volt az egész.
November 2, 2015
Asterix in Switzerland is another one of the books that we didn't actually have when I was a kid, we had the cover, and a page or two, but the rest was missing. (like Obelix and Co., and Asterix and the Cauldron)
This is one of the best I've read for story, in that there's a twist...a Roman who's an ally, and needs help against...another Roman!
The Roman Auditor arrives in the midst of an orgy, to review the accounts of a wealthy province of Gaul that pretends to be poor (the money we see ends up in the pockets of the Governor and his subordinate) but has a lavish palace.
The auditor is poisoned by the governor, and the auditor reveals to his bodyguard/driver that Caesar often complained of the Gaulish village and their druid...Getafix. The bodyguard is dispatched to find our Druid, and hopefully be able to save his boss.
When he arrives in the village, Getafix agrees to help, because as a druid he must help everyone he tells our heroes. They go with him, and he arrives in time to diagnose the poisoning, which he keeps to himself, until explaining to Asterix that he's taking the auditor "hostage" while A&O go look for a necessary ingredient in the Swiss Alps, so that he's not murdered while recovering. The Governor is far too willing to agree, because he figures either way his problem is gone.
So Getafix, the auditor and bodyguard return to our village, and Asterix and Obelix go to Switzerland, where they run into swiss cheese, yodelling, fondue, neutrality, and a banker with tight vaults that he doesn't ask questions about (Zurix is his name). So there's some jokes about the Swiss, and the boys eventually find their specific ingredient on top of one of the Alps, which they climb roped together with other Swiss, because Obelix is hung over and sick from the cold and all the cheese. (So they also invented tying in to your climbing partner).
When they arrive back in the village, the governor (Varius Flavus) is already there, and nervous because he expected the auditor to be dead by now...the auditor (Vexatius Sinunitis) recovers and knocks Flavus into the sky, promising to expose his corruption and send him to the Colosseum and Lions.
In a new turn, the first time ever, a Roman is invited to the village banquet, something we have never seen before in Asterix books.
Between that, the ally Roman, and the serious nature of attempted murder, this is one of the more "adult" Asterix books, and probably why it holds up so well.
April 7, 2017
Μου έπεσε η μπουκίτσα
November 1, 2020
First published in French in 1970 as Astérix chez les Helvêtes,
Asterix in Switzerland was first published in English in 1973.
A visitor from Rome interrupts Varius Flavus, the Roman Governor of Condatum (Rennes), from one of his depraved and revolting orgies.
Quaestor Vexatius Sinusitus has been sent by Julius Caesar, as a Treasurer for the Provinces, to audit the Governor's accounts.
As Flavus has been rather freely crooking the accounts, he poisons the Quaestor to get him out the way.
An ill Sinusitus secretly sends for the Getafix who is a famous healer, and Getafix of course takes with Asterix and Obelix, and our two heroes are sent to Helvetia (Switzerland) to fetch the one thing that can save his charge, the Silver Star (Edelweiss).
Varius Flavus is desperate to ensure that the Quaestor is not saved and sends word to his friend, the equally corrupt Governor of Genava (Geneva) that Asterix and Obelix are to be stopped at all costs.
Once more the author Goscinny writes a witty and satirical adventure, poking gentle fun at the customs of Switzerland, their punctuality and clocks, fondues and Swiss Cheese, yodeling and banks. We get to observe an ancient `International Conference of Tribal Chiefs', almost as useless and hypocritical as the United
Nations of today and even get to meet the famous Michelin man when our friends stop off at a repair station to mend a broken wheel.
Once more a fantastic classic, from the famous Goscinny and Uderzo.
Asterix in Switzerland was first published in English in 1973.
A visitor from Rome interrupts Varius Flavus, the Roman Governor of Condatum (Rennes), from one of his depraved and revolting orgies.
Quaestor Vexatius Sinusitus has been sent by Julius Caesar, as a Treasurer for the Provinces, to audit the Governor's accounts.
As Flavus has been rather freely crooking the accounts, he poisons the Quaestor to get him out the way.
An ill Sinusitus secretly sends for the Getafix who is a famous healer, and Getafix of course takes with Asterix and Obelix, and our two heroes are sent to Helvetia (Switzerland) to fetch the one thing that can save his charge, the Silver Star (Edelweiss).
Varius Flavus is desperate to ensure that the Quaestor is not saved and sends word to his friend, the equally corrupt Governor of Genava (Geneva) that Asterix and Obelix are to be stopped at all costs.
Once more the author Goscinny writes a witty and satirical adventure, poking gentle fun at the customs of Switzerland, their punctuality and clocks, fondues and Swiss Cheese, yodeling and banks. We get to observe an ancient `International Conference of Tribal Chiefs', almost as useless and hypocritical as the United
Nations of today and even get to meet the famous Michelin man when our friends stop off at a repair station to mend a broken wheel.
Once more a fantastic classic, from the famous Goscinny and Uderzo.
January 7, 2016
Asterix-sarjan parhaita albumeita. Joka on toista mieltä, sidottakoon hänen jalkoihinsa paino ja heitettäköön järveen. Ruoskaakin saa antaa, jos se on jo kuivunut.
September 20, 2015
The Swiss, even in ancient times, are serious and tidy. Their hourglasses are desperately exact. The International Conference of Tribe Chiefs is held in Geneva. When Asterix and Obelix want to hide in a safe, they are told they need to open an account.
As a side note, the rampant corruption of Roman governors reminded me of Romanians' insistence on our Latin heritage. You got that right...
As a side note, the rampant corruption of Roman governors reminded me of Romanians' insistence on our Latin heritage. You got that right...
September 25, 2012
The Fondue - memorable!!
October 10, 2018
Πολύ γέλιο....Ο ΑΣΤΕΡΙΞ μας κάνει μέχρι σήμερα να γελάμε!
December 18, 2017
Asterix in Helvesië is vir my een van die heel beste stories in die Asterix-kanon. Die eerste twee bladsye is van die heel snaaksstes, veral in Anthea Bell en Derek Hockridge se Engelse vertaling; soos ons nou al van Sonya van Schalkwyk-Barrois gewoond geraak het, buit sy die Afrikaanse taalidioom voortreflik uit om ook in Afrikaans knetterend plesierige taalspel te skep.
Die avontuur, met die reis na wat ons vandag ken as Switserland om 'n edelweiss-blommetjie te pluk om 'n Romeinse Quastor van vergiftiging te red, is vol verwysings na die Switserse stereotipes: stiptelikheid, netheid, skoonheid, en hul volkskultuur, wat alpehoringspel en jodel insluit. En fondue met gesmelte kaas. Natuurlik eindig alles goed en reg en plesierig, en die reëls kan soms effens buig (en nee, dis nie ter wille van Liederlix nie!).
This Asterix adventure is one of the best in the canon, and Sonya van Schalkwyk-Barrois plays Afrikaans like a virtuoso to create a translation that is just as much fun as the original story, with its humorous depiction of the precise and clean Swiss.
Die avontuur, met die reis na wat ons vandag ken as Switserland om 'n edelweiss-blommetjie te pluk om 'n Romeinse Quastor van vergiftiging te red, is vol verwysings na die Switserse stereotipes: stiptelikheid, netheid, skoonheid, en hul volkskultuur, wat alpehoringspel en jodel insluit. En fondue met gesmelte kaas. Natuurlik eindig alles goed en reg en plesierig, en die reëls kan soms effens buig (en nee, dis nie ter wille van Liederlix nie!).
This Asterix adventure is one of the best in the canon, and Sonya van Schalkwyk-Barrois plays Afrikaans like a virtuoso to create a translation that is just as much fun as the original story, with its humorous depiction of the precise and clean Swiss.
February 25, 2021
Puns, puns, puns
Read
August 7, 2025Geen zorgen, dit is de laatste Astérix. Mijn gastvrouw in Frankrijk is Zwitsers dus ik moest deze wel lezen... :)
November 2, 2015
Kuckuck!
Heutzutage sind die Schweizer hauptsächlich mit den Werbungen für Ricola ("Wer hat's erfunden?") und für Appenzeller in den Medien. Die Uhren und die Reinlichkeit, die in diesem Band den Schweizern zugesprochen werden, haben sich etwas verlaufen. Doch ein paar der liebevollen Klischees, die in diesem Asterixband präsentiert werden, haben sich verselbständigt und sind heute noch als running gag beliebt - ich sage nur Stockhiebe, Peitschenschläge und mit einem Gewicht an den Füßen in den See. Ich kann kein Käsefondue mehr essen, ohne daran zu denken.
Insgesamt empfinde ich "Astérix chez les Helvètes" mehr als einen reifen, aber nicht übermäßig würzigen Emmentaler. Da es in der Reihe schon kräftige, jahrealte Greyezer gab, erkennt man gewisse Einschränkungen, was die Pointierung der Scherze angeht. Dennoch ist ein leicht schwächelnder Asterix immer noch besser als die besten Exemplare vieler anderer Reihen; und das Bild, wie Obélix seinen Häuptling auf dem Schild mit Hinkelsteinpoliertuch über dem Arm wie ein Kellner ein Bier durchs Dorf trägt, ist mit eins der großartigsten Highlights dieser Reihe.
Heutzutage sind die Schweizer hauptsächlich mit den Werbungen für Ricola ("Wer hat's erfunden?") und für Appenzeller in den Medien. Die Uhren und die Reinlichkeit, die in diesem Band den Schweizern zugesprochen werden, haben sich etwas verlaufen. Doch ein paar der liebevollen Klischees, die in diesem Asterixband präsentiert werden, haben sich verselbständigt und sind heute noch als running gag beliebt - ich sage nur Stockhiebe, Peitschenschläge und mit einem Gewicht an den Füßen in den See. Ich kann kein Käsefondue mehr essen, ohne daran zu denken.
Insgesamt empfinde ich "Astérix chez les Helvètes" mehr als einen reifen, aber nicht übermäßig würzigen Emmentaler. Da es in der Reihe schon kräftige, jahrealte Greyezer gab, erkennt man gewisse Einschränkungen, was die Pointierung der Scherze angeht. Dennoch ist ein leicht schwächelnder Asterix immer noch besser als die besten Exemplare vieler anderer Reihen; und das Bild, wie Obélix seinen Häuptling auf dem Schild mit Hinkelsteinpoliertuch über dem Arm wie ein Kellner ein Bier durchs Dorf trägt, ist mit eins der großartigsten Highlights dieser Reihe.
February 14, 2022
In dit avontuur gaan Asterix en Obelix op zoek naar 'zilverster' in de Zwitserse Alpen. Met dit gegeven kunnen de Franse auteurs heerlijk de draak steken met hun Zwitserse buren. Alleen al de parodie op de Verenigde Naties is fantastisch en het is knap hoe scenarist Goscinny voor elkaar krijgt dat Obelix niet één berg te zien krijgt, maar ik denk dat iedereen dit album vooral zal herinneren om de kaasfondue-orgie: 'De stok! De stok!'. Striphumor op zijn best.
December 18, 2012
I love Asterix. I think it´s one of the best comics ever! Laughing Riot!!! Oh those Swiss are sooo organized! A character or setting in this book was interesting to me (and why): A character that was interesting to me was Asterix because even though he likes to have fun, he also takes responsibility about what he does and tries not to get into bad situations and he uses his brain.
September 10, 2021
It's always a treat to read these old comics as an adult and get so many more jokes that flew over my head the first time around. Besides, I visited Switzerland myself just a couple years back. It really is a pretty place.
November 10, 2022
4/5
En esta ocasión Astérix y Obélix deben viajar hasta la región de Helvecia, actual Suiza, en busca de una flor para un antídoto. En este número aparecen representadas las orgías romanas con gran detalle. Los tópicos sobre la población suiza no son tan abundantes como en los álbumes de Britania e Hispania, pero aparecen igualmente.
En esta ocasión Astérix y Obélix deben viajar hasta la región de Helvecia, actual Suiza, en busca de una flor para un antídoto. En este número aparecen representadas las orgías romanas con gran detalle. Los tópicos sobre la población suiza no son tan abundantes como en los álbumes de Britania e Hispania, pero aparecen igualmente.
October 22, 2017
Asterix helps out a tax collector
12 October 2013
It all starts out when Chief Vitalstatistix's shield bearers stuff up one last time. Vitalstatistix says that it is a beautiful day, so his shield bearers look up and next thing we know is that they have been sacked (most likely because, once again, he has found himself flat on his back looking up at the sky and hoping that it doesn't fall on him). However, that has absolutely nothing to do with the album, except to throw in a few laughs at the beginning, namely because the real reason that Asterix and Obelix go on the adventure is to find a rare flower to save the life of a Roman Quaestor.
Basically this Roman governor is collecting taxes from his province (of which Rennes is the capital) and keeping a bulk of it for himself and giving only a small portion (three sesteries) to Rome. A little suspicious, Ceaser decides to send a Quaestor to the province to do an audit (though the Quaestors were more like the members of the Federal Reserve than just simple accountants), and the Quaestor immediately walks in on an orgy (which is a little anachronistic since the orgies didn't actually start until a lot later – basically when the top position is filled with an emperor for life, who then fills all of the positions with his favourites, the best that a wealthy Roman can do is get drunk and have lots of sex).
This is one of the better of the Asterix albums, and it is also poking fun at the Swiss, with their banks, their cleanliness, and the ability to be able to tell the time (though they don't have cuckoo clocks yet, just somebody running around crying out cuckoo so that everybody knows that it is time to turn their hour glasses over, even if it is the middle of the night). Also, we have the precursor to the United Nations, which is a collection of chieftains sleeping while somebody is rambling on about how peace with the Romans is actually a good thing. We also that the Roman Road (which is actually the motorway, or Autoroute as they say in France, and if you have been to France and driven on their motorways, you will have an idea of what I am on about).
In the end, a pretty good album, and not repetitive as some have suggested. Anyway, considering one can probably read this album (or in fact any Asterix album) in a space of about 15 to 45 minutes, then I do not see why one should not actually read it before commenting on it (its not like reading a Robert Jordan Wheel of Time book a second time, unless of course you like his work).
12 October 2013
It all starts out when Chief Vitalstatistix's shield bearers stuff up one last time. Vitalstatistix says that it is a beautiful day, so his shield bearers look up and next thing we know is that they have been sacked (most likely because, once again, he has found himself flat on his back looking up at the sky and hoping that it doesn't fall on him). However, that has absolutely nothing to do with the album, except to throw in a few laughs at the beginning, namely because the real reason that Asterix and Obelix go on the adventure is to find a rare flower to save the life of a Roman Quaestor.
Basically this Roman governor is collecting taxes from his province (of which Rennes is the capital) and keeping a bulk of it for himself and giving only a small portion (three sesteries) to Rome. A little suspicious, Ceaser decides to send a Quaestor to the province to do an audit (though the Quaestors were more like the members of the Federal Reserve than just simple accountants), and the Quaestor immediately walks in on an orgy (which is a little anachronistic since the orgies didn't actually start until a lot later – basically when the top position is filled with an emperor for life, who then fills all of the positions with his favourites, the best that a wealthy Roman can do is get drunk and have lots of sex).
This is one of the better of the Asterix albums, and it is also poking fun at the Swiss, with their banks, their cleanliness, and the ability to be able to tell the time (though they don't have cuckoo clocks yet, just somebody running around crying out cuckoo so that everybody knows that it is time to turn their hour glasses over, even if it is the middle of the night). Also, we have the precursor to the United Nations, which is a collection of chieftains sleeping while somebody is rambling on about how peace with the Romans is actually a good thing. We also that the Roman Road (which is actually the motorway, or Autoroute as they say in France, and if you have been to France and driven on their motorways, you will have an idea of what I am on about).
In the end, a pretty good album, and not repetitive as some have suggested. Anyway, considering one can probably read this album (or in fact any Asterix album) in a space of about 15 to 45 minutes, then I do not see why one should not actually read it before commenting on it (its not like reading a Robert Jordan Wheel of Time book a second time, unless of course you like his work).
May 8, 2024
In which our heroes encounter cleanliness and punctuality.
June 11, 2016
Astérix chez les Helvètes est un de mes volumes favoris d’Astérix ! C’est vraiment trop chou.
Dans ce volume, il y a le gouverneur de Condate (Rennes), Gracchus Garovirus, qui a rien de plus important à faire que d’organiser des orgies. Depuis qu’il détourne presque tous les revenues de sa province, il n’est pas surprenant qu’il essaie d’empoisonner le questeur Claudius Malosinus. Heureusement, le questeur sait que Panoramix, le druide gaulois, n’est pas trop loin et pourrait le guérir. Le druide veut bien aider le romain, mais manque l’étoile d’argent (Edelweiss) comme ingrédient pour le médicament. Voilà, l’aventure commence pour Astérix et Obélix, qui partent pour aller chercher cette fleur rare en Helvétie.
Apparemment, les Helvètes étaient comme les Suisses d’aujourd’hui – il y en a autant de clichés, et les allusions sont super rigolos (je le trouve encore plus drôle car je suis suissesse moi-même). Premièrement, on mange rien que de fromage en Suisse, au mieux fondu. Puis, tout doit toujours être propre – on le voit déjà à la frontière…
La Suisse – pardon – l’Helvétie est part de l’Empire romain, mais en même temps, elle est neutre. Les banques, le secret bancaire, la bureaucratie, les discussions détaillées, la serviabilité, l’honnêteté et l’exactitude des montres sont sacrés, même si quelques parts sont assez encombrantes. Et jodler et les cors des Alpes… sont des trucs assez spéciaux… (pour être entièrement honnête, je trouve ça dégueulasse aussi !). Mais en somme, les Helvètes sont un peuple très agréable.
Dans ce volume, il y a le gouverneur de Condate (Rennes), Gracchus Garovirus, qui a rien de plus important à faire que d’organiser des orgies. Depuis qu’il détourne presque tous les revenues de sa province, il n’est pas surprenant qu’il essaie d’empoisonner le questeur Claudius Malosinus. Heureusement, le questeur sait que Panoramix, le druide gaulois, n’est pas trop loin et pourrait le guérir. Le druide veut bien aider le romain, mais manque l’étoile d’argent (Edelweiss) comme ingrédient pour le médicament. Voilà, l’aventure commence pour Astérix et Obélix, qui partent pour aller chercher cette fleur rare en Helvétie.
Apparemment, les Helvètes étaient comme les Suisses d’aujourd’hui – il y en a autant de clichés, et les allusions sont super rigolos (je le trouve encore plus drôle car je suis suissesse moi-même). Premièrement, on mange rien que de fromage en Suisse, au mieux fondu. Puis, tout doit toujours être propre – on le voit déjà à la frontière…
La Suisse – pardon – l’Helvétie est part de l’Empire romain, mais en même temps, elle est neutre. Les banques, le secret bancaire, la bureaucratie, les discussions détaillées, la serviabilité, l’honnêteté et l’exactitude des montres sont sacrés, même si quelques parts sont assez encombrantes. Et jodler et les cors des Alpes… sont des trucs assez spéciaux… (pour être entièrement honnête, je trouve ça dégueulasse aussi !). Mais en somme, les Helvètes sont un peuple très agréable.
March 25, 2017
These books really are enjoyable. I think kids would like them for the slapstick humor and adults would like them for the slapstick humor as well as the verbal humor and jabs at Roman "culture."
I've only read 3 volumes so far (and have a 4th in-hand), but i'm extremely proud of myself for noticing that (not a spoiler) the names on the map and cast of characters pages can change from one volume to the next.
I've only read 3 volumes so far (and have a 4th in-hand), but i'm extremely proud of myself for noticing that (not a spoiler) the names on the map and cast of characters pages can change from one volume to the next.
In Legionary the Roman outposts surrounding the Gavlish village are Delirivm, Nohappimedivm, Opprobrivm, and Aqvarivm; the druid is Magigimmix; the bard is Malacoustix; the chief is Macroeconomix.Only 3 issues to figure that out? Yup, i am a clever, clever boy!
In Switzerland and Big Fight the Roman outposts surrounding the Gaulish village are Compendium, Laudanum, Totorum, and Aquarium; the druid is Getafix; the bard is Cacofonix; the chief is Vitalstatistix.
October 29, 2019
My no. 1 favourite Asterix.
Our heroes need to procure an Edelweiss (étoile-d'argent in French, even that sounds so beautiful) from the Swiss mountains. It is needed to cure a (good) Roman who has been poisoned by a corrupt and unscrupulous fellow Roman.
They find one, and on the way a lot of fun is poked at Swiss cleanliness, punctuality, and neutrality, there is some yodelling and a tiny glimpse into the future (boy-apple-arrow ...).
One little thing: I think the German translation is even better, it captures that very characteristic Swiss dialect so well. I know, Geneva is in the French-speaking part, but still. :)
Our heroes need to procure an Edelweiss (étoile-d'argent in French, even that sounds so beautiful) from the Swiss mountains. It is needed to cure a (good) Roman who has been poisoned by a corrupt and unscrupulous fellow Roman.
They find one, and on the way a lot of fun is poked at Swiss cleanliness, punctuality, and neutrality, there is some yodelling and a tiny glimpse into the future (boy-apple-arrow ...).
One little thing: I think the German translation is even better, it captures that very characteristic Swiss dialect so well. I know, Geneva is in the French-speaking part, but still. :)
April 8, 2021
This book is pretty good!
It calls our attention, in a very fun and relaxed way, for problems that are very real and still very much up to date (unfortunately). I’m of course talking about Garovirus and the way he bluntly robs the people and the state in order to become rich and indulge in his pleasures.
The one thing that annoyed me about this book was the Swiss characterization. The Swiss might have been a very kind, friendly and even clean people... not my experience tho...
It calls our attention, in a very fun and relaxed way, for problems that are very real and still very much up to date (unfortunately). I’m of course talking about Garovirus and the way he bluntly robs the people and the state in order to become rich and indulge in his pleasures.
The one thing that annoyed me about this book was the Swiss characterization. The Swiss might have been a very kind, friendly and even clean people... not my experience tho...
November 14, 2018
Tätä osaa lukiessa huvitti erityisesti Rooman ylimystön kieltämättä hyvin turmeltunut meininki loputtomine orgioineen. Siihen verraten sveitsiläisten täsmällisen puolueeton meininki oli varsin riemastuttavaa kontrastia.
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