Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Astérix #8

Asterix in Britain

Rate this book
The Romans have invaded Britain, but one village still holds out. Asterix and Obelix come to help, with a barrel of magic potion in hand. But to deliver the precious brew, the Gaulish heroes must face fog, rain, bad food, warm beer, and the Roman, too.

48 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 1965

74 people are currently reading
1535 people want to read

About the author

René Goscinny

2,021 books1,234 followers
René 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).

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
5,634 (48%)
4 stars
4,195 (35%)
3 stars
1,654 (14%)
2 stars
166 (1%)
1 star
27 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews
Profile Image for Manny.
Author 47 books16.1k followers
December 2, 2021
Jay regarday ler film ser swar avek Not, may elle nah pah rigolay doo too. Pourkwa? Jer ner komprond rian. Jay croo ker too layz ostralyanz aymay lay blag racist, pertetruh ker ser nay pah vray? Elle naymay memm pah ker layz onglay parlay kom sa, settay vraymont tray droll. Jer swee daysu.
_________________

[Eh ler londerman...]

Mantertarnt jay loo ler leavruh orsee, settay onkore ploo droll! May Not rerfuse cataygoreekmont der ler lear. Jay kompree ker serkon dee dez ostralyann, keel emme le humour racist, say day callomknee trays annjoust. Eel ner lemme pah, john swee sewer.

Profile Image for Pramod Nair.
233 reviews212 followers
July 1, 2015
Obelix: What do you keep on saying What for?
Anticlimax: I say Sir, don’t you know what’s what, what?


Asterix in Britain’ is one of my definite favorites among the entire Asterix series.

Originally titled in French as ‘Astérix chez les Bretons’ the eighth title of the series takes the adventures of Asterix & his mighty friend Obelix to the land of Britons with a heavy dosage of merriment, legionary bashing, a game of rugby and sumptuous feasts with Mint sauce & warm beer. Ah! Let’s not forget about the pots after pots of hot water too.

The plot begins when Julius Caesar defeats all of Britain except a tiny village named ‘Cantium’ populated by a bunch of tough Britons under a brave chief. In order to fight the Romans surrounding their village the Britons decide to seek the help of the defiant Gaulish village of Asterix and their magic potion. Anticlimax who is a British cousin of Asterix is delegated with this mission, which results in Asterix & Obelix taking a journey to Britain and an incredible adventure of infinite proportions.

The clichéd British "upper class" diction allotted to the British characters in the book along with some of the cheeky references that are incorporated into the comic frames like the frequent consumption of ‘hot water with milk’, warm beer and boiled meat, enjoying weekends, are incredibly entertaining and adds nicely to the British setting of the theme.

The keen sense of observation and humor that René Goscinny & Albert Uderzo invested while giving shape to the cartoon panels can be seen in some amazingly funny allusions they make; the "little jolly-boat" of Anticlimax and the way he is rowing it with a side-text aimed at the reader which read "he was brought up in the tribe of the Oxbrigienses"; the frequent breaks taken during a battle for ‘hot water drinking’ and taking off days on weekends during battle; a guest appearance of the Beatles band; references to the idea of a Chunnel; frequent fogs and rains; & driving on the wrong side of the road; are some samples for these sharp observations. The illustrations are reflections of extreme artistry and the accompanying text, which is lavishly sprinkled with satire, verbal jousting and socio-political references, adds a level of balance, which makes the book an exceptionally charming one.

A Jolly good book, old chap! Cheerio!

Note: A more detailed version of this review, with some interesting footnotes on two glaring factual errors from the volume can be read from here.
Profile Image for Alex.
788 reviews37 followers
May 3, 2020
I say, τα Αστερίξ είναι άψογα. Έτσι είναι, δεν είναι έτσι;

Άλλο ένα φοβερό τευχάκι. Δεν είναι να απορείς πως έμεινε στην ιστορία αυτή η σειρά. Σπάνια συναντάς κόμικ που πάνω από το 1/3 των τευχών του να είναι αψεγάδιαστα. Πηγαίο χιούμορ, γεμάτο αναφορές, πανέξυπνο αλλά απλό σενάριο. Τώρα, πέρα από την προέλευση των τηγανητών πατατών, ο Αστερίξ μας μαθαίνει πως προέκυψε το κόλλημα των Άγγλων με το τσάι. :')
Profile Image for Tristram Shandy.
873 reviews265 followers
April 6, 2025
Eines der Asterix-Highlights, ist es nicht?

In Asterix bei den Briten machen unsere zwei Freunde einen Abstecher auf die Insel, von der schon in Hamlet gesagt wird, daß jemand, der verrückt sei, dort zwar nicht geheilt werde, aber immerhin nicht so auffalle. Und wirklich zündet dieses Album ein wahres Feuerwerk an Gags, die mit den Eigenarten der Briten spielen – angefangen von der aus französischer Sicht eigenartigen Syntax, über die britische Vorliebe für einen gepflegten Rasen bis hin zu der sprichwörtlichen stiff upper lip, die sich etwa beim Treffen des Gastwirtes Relax mit seinem Kollegen Seelax zeigt, bei dem sie betonen, wie glücklich sie seien, sich gesund wiederzusehen, dabei aber ganz gelassen einander gegenüberstehen, oder auch im Falle des Hausbesitzers, der ungerührt seine in Stein gemeißelte Times liest, obwohl Obelix ihm doch gerade die Haustüre eingebrochen hat. Auch die britische Küche, die Obelix hier gekochtes Wildschwein mit Pfefferminzsoße kredenzt, darf in diesem Reigen der gutmütigen Stereotype nicht fehlen.

Dabei geschieht die Reise von Asterix und Obelix nicht zum Vergnügen: Vielmehr liefern sie zur Unterstützung eines der römischen Invasion trotzenden Dorfes unter seinem Häuptling Sebigbos ein Faß des von Miraculix gebrauten Zaubertranks, nachdem Asterix‘ britischer Vetter Teefax die Gallier auf die Notlage ihrer Nachbarn aufmerksam gemacht hat. Wie es zu dem Sieg der Römer über die Briten kommen konnte? Vielleicht auch, weil letztere jeden Tag um Punkt 5 Uhr die Waffen niedersenken, um erst einmal ein Täßchen heißes Wasser mit einem Tropfen Milch darin zu genießen. Am Ende des Abenteuers wird es freilich Tee sein, der zum britischen Nationalgetränk aufsteigt, und wie dies vor sich ging, das wird in diesem Album auch historisch einwandfrei nacherzählt. Aber auch sonst gibt es eine Menge an Details, die man als Asterix-Fan nicht verpassen möchte, wie beispielsweise Obelix‘ erste Bekanntschaft mit dem Rauschspender Wein, einen Gastauftritt der Beatles, einen Peter Ustinov nachempfundenen römischen Präfekten, ein durch und durch gedoptes Rugby-Spiel sowie ein zweimaliges Wiedersehen mit unseren leidgeplagten Piraten. Auch das Lied „Es lebe Roma! O Roma! Süßes A … Roooma im herrlichen Wein!“, das ein betrunkener Legionär anstimmt, blieb mir schon nach dem ersten Lesen des Albums nachhaltig im Gedächtnis.

In einem Panel gar – auf Seite 9 – sehen wir in Asterix‘ Behausung ein kleines Regal, auf dem wir neben einen Römerhelm auch folgende Dinge finden: einen Gotenhelm, den Helm eines Gladiators, eine goldene Sichel sowie eine kleine Sphinxfigur, allesamt Reminiszenzen der vorausgegangenen Abenteuer unseres unschlagbaren Duos. Mein Lieblingspanel (Seite 22 unten) zeigt diesmal eine Reihe disziplinierter römischer Legionäre, die hinter einer Reihe beschlagnahmter Weinfässer stehen und diese auf Kommando aufschlagen, um herauszufinden, ob sich der Zaubertrank in einem von ihnen befindet. Ein paar Panels weiter sind diese gutausgebildeten Eroberer gar nicht mehr sooo diszipliniert.
Profile Image for Noella.
1,250 reviews76 followers
July 9, 2023
De Romeinen hebben Brittania veroverd, behalve één dorpje. Maar er is dringend hulp nodig. In dit dorpje woont een neef van Asterix, en hij vaart naar Gallië om hulp te vragen. Asterix en Obelix gaan met een ton toverdrank mee terug naar Brittania. Zo zullen de Britten in het dorpje onoverwinnelijk zijn als de Romeinen hun aanvallen. Maar dit is gemakkelijker gezegd dan gedaan. Ze stuiten op heel wat moeilijkheden, raken de ton kwijt, en als ze ze na lang zoeken terug gevonden hebben, wordt het bootje van Asterix, Obelix en Notax toch nog tot zinken gebracht door de Romeinen en de ton met toverdrank is kapot. Om het Britse moreel hoog te houden brouwt Asterix een andere drank met kruiden die Panoramix hem meegegeven heeft (thee). De Britten denken nu dat ze onoverwinnelijk zijn en kunnen de Romeinen makkelijk verslaan met de hulp van Asterix en Obelix.

Verhaal met veel goede humor.
Profile Image for Димитър Цолов.
Author 35 books420 followers
January 20, 2024
Госини, светло му небе, е бил Титан на скеча и хумора, но и българската преводна следа – Венелин Пройков – категорично е от неговата порода. Сцепвам се от хилеж с приключенията на галите, хитроумно адаптирани за родната аудитория. В тоя брой Астерикс и Обеликс тръгнаха да помогнат на британските си братовчеди в борбата с римските окупатори, но по пътя затриха бурето с вълшебна отвара… Куп перипетии, на фона на симпатични кодоши с бита на англичаните – движението в ляво, традиционното консумиране на гореща вода в пет следобед и всякакви такива – ги доведоха до логичния щастлив и абсолютно гениален финал… Бих искал да дам 10 звезди!
Profile Image for Gavin.
1,264 reviews89 followers
November 2, 2015
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Asterix in Britain is one of the good ones, and more fun for me in that we didn't have it when I was a kid. So I'm not able to read it in my sleep yet.

Asterix's first cousin once-removed from England (Anticlimax) is part of a tribe of Britons holding out against the Roman invaders (sound familiar?) He sneaks out of the siege and comes to Armorica and the little Gaulish village seeking help.

Getafix brews a barrel of magic potion, and Asterix and Obelix accompany Anticlimax on the trip back to his village.

On the trip, Obelix gets drunk on warm beer (bitter) and locked in the Tower of London, which he promptly breaks out of. Asterix and Obelix also take part (accidentally) in a rugby match.

The potion barrel is destroyed by the Romans (one of the few successes they have during the whole of the series, which is a nice change of pace) but Asterix pretends he's able to make the potion again, using some leaves that he took from Getafix (actually tea leaves, so they add to the hot water than most Britons drink, ergo having Asterix "invent" the tea that Britain drinks!).

The Briton Chief (Mykingdomforanos) leads the village to victory against the Romans, and then tells Asterix he knows that it wasn't potion, but the psychological advantage was crucial.

The lads return home after a feast, the end!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Profile Image for Dirk Grobbelaar.
844 reviews1,227 followers
March 2, 2020

Another very popular entry.

Asterix is called upon by Anticlimax (his first cousin, once removed) on behalf of the last British village holding out against Caesar’s invasion of Britain, for assistance in fighting the Romans. Asterix and Obelix accompany Anticlimax back to Britain with a barrel of magic potion, but things go awry when the Romans get wind of their plan.

Actually, things get pretty tense, which is saying a lot (this is, after all, an Asterix story). The Romans go all out to capture or destroy the magic potion, and ill luck follows the trio around as they desperately try to smuggle the barrel through enemy occupied Britain. All kinds of antics ensue, and fun is poked at everything from British cuisine (there’s a running gag concerning warm beer) to Rugby. Even the Beatles make an appearance (Beatlemania would have been very real at the time this book was first published). If I were to make a list of everything cool about this book this review would be much too long. Suffice to say it’s a delightful story, and probably one of the few where things don’t quite go as one would have expected.

At least we get to see why the British started drinking tea.

Jolly good, what.
Profile Image for Nandakishore Mridula.
1,342 reviews2,689 followers
January 31, 2016
This one plays off the stiff-upper-lipped English against the hot-blooded Gauls. Anticlimax is Asterix's cousin "once removed" (a nomenclature which confuses Obelix no end) from England, who is in Gaul to seek Asterix's help for his village, which is still holding out against Caesar. So Obelix and Asterix cross the channel with a barrel of magic potion - but the end is surprisingly different from what one would expect.



Throughout the book, English manners, customs, food (boar in mint sauce!) and drink (warm beer!) exasperate the Gauls - but what really floors them is how these stiff collars are transformed into a bunch of bloodthirsty savages once inside a rugby stadium!
Profile Image for Renuka.
82 reviews56 followers
September 16, 2018
Asterix: What can I offer you, Anticlimax? A boar? Goat's Milk? Beer?
Anticlimax: A cup of hot water with a spot of milk, please.
Obelix: ????


I laughed throughout while reading this one! It was fun to watch Obelix getting irritated by the British culture and values. The best part was when he gets drunk.

And how can I forget the Rugby match. :D :D
Profile Image for Rebecca.
709 reviews48 followers
June 21, 2023
absolut unrealistisch, dass am ende überhaupt noch was in dem fass drin ist

_________________

Lustiger Band, gehört zu den Klassikern, obwohl ich ihn als Kind nicht ganz so oft gelesen habe wie die anderen Bände. Das Spiel mit den Stereotypen wird hier auf die Spitze getrieben, die englische Satzstellung das ganze Buch lang durchgehalten. Hat Spaß gemacht!
Profile Image for Kavita.
846 reviews458 followers
April 14, 2020
Each Asterix is better than the last one! In this one, Asterix's cousin, Anticlimax, comes from far-off Britain to seek his help. Britain had fallen under Roman rule because of the British custom of drinking hot water at sharp 5 in the evening and their reluctance to war on weekends. LOL! The two set off with Anticlimax and a barrel of magic potion. But Roman Britain is not safe and the barrel soon disappears!

I really loved this book. Apart from the hilarious jokes about pots of hot water (indeed, it was Asterix who brought tea to the Brits!) and references to the Beatles, football hooliganism, London fog, etc., the narrative is quite sharp. We see the duo get into the usual situations with the Romans, but I found that Asterix in Britain has more pop humour and is extremely funny. I also enjoyed the running joke of how even Obelix disliked boiled British food and warm beer. :D

If there is one thing I really missed, it was the puns with the names. I didn't find them as brilliant as usual. But there were some good ones like Surtax and Encyclopaedicus Britannicus. The pirates made an appearance, which always makes me happy!

I'd vote Asterix in Britain the best of the series. So far ...
Profile Image for Agla.
829 reviews63 followers
May 16, 2025
Re-read 05/2025: my review stands!

My brain is fried and I still have to work so I'm turning to comfort/childhood reads because I can't take much more at the moment :/ I read this in French (obviously, those are the only things I'll still read in French) and as an English speaker it's hilarious to see English being translated literally when British characters are speaking. My enjoyment is purely based on nostalgia but that's fine. The jokes on the british currency and way of measuring things are hilarious and the story is still engaging even though I've read it so many times. Those books have a special place in my heart because they are grandpa's favorites and we would read them together so the slight misogyny gets a pass (even though it wasn't that bad in this particular one to be fair).
Profile Image for Helmut.
1,056 reviews65 followers
June 29, 2014
"Tu sais bien, Obélix, que les Romains sont en Bretagne, pour la plupart." - "Mais ce n'est pas juste ça!"

Il est, n'est-il pas? Überhaupt hat Obelix in diesem Band, vielleicht einem der bekanntesten der Reihe, nicht viel zu lachen. Erst muss er Idefix daheim lassen, dann darf er keine Römer verhauen, dann schämt er sich wegen seinem Ausfall durch gallischen Wein, schließlich darf er nicht beim Kalebassenspiel zwischen Camulodunum und Durovernum mitspielen, und dann noch das ganze gekochte Schweinefleisch mit Minzsoße... ma bonté!

Ein herrliches Sprachspiel jagt das nächste, besonders die bretonische Sprache ist ein wunderbares Manöver, um die britischen Eigenheiten zu persiflieren. Wer sich wundert - tatsächlich gab es vor Römern, Angelsachsen und Normannen eine lebendige keltische Kultur auf den Inseln. Allerdings weiß ich nicht, ob die britischen Kelten wirklich Steintafeln mit "Foyer doux foyer" im Wohnzimmer hatten, oder in den Kneipen Darts spielten, wenn sie ihr abgestandenes Cervisia tranken. Je dis!
Profile Image for Andy.
481 reviews89 followers
July 17, 2014
Anyone for tea, warm beer & Mint sauce with any type of boiled meat, What!
Profile Image for cloudyskye.
892 reviews43 followers
October 25, 2019
I've loved Asterix from age 9, they are great stories that come with some fun history and even Latin knowledge.
And this is one of my favourites. I own it in German, English, and now in French, too. Actually the non-English versions are even better because it's so much funnier to read in German or in (the original) French how the Brits speak - "it is, isn't it", "goodness gracious", "jolly good" and all that.
To be enjoyed again and again.

Profile Image for Christine.
7,212 reviews566 followers
June 11, 2012
I think I have discovered why England hasn't won a World Cup or Euro Cup in a while. Hot water time and weekends.

I loved the Rugby match! GO Obelix!
Profile Image for Samir Rawas Sarayji.
459 reviews103 followers
March 4, 2019
Asterix: they’re not following! Is it far to Londinium?
Anticlimax: no, only a few hundred feet... you measure in meters, we do it in feet.
Obelix: feet?
Anticlimax: yes, you’ll find it quite easy once you get your hand in.

:-D
Profile Image for Gary.
1,021 reviews252 followers
November 1, 2020
A particularly amusing Asterix album , it was first published in 1966 ,in French , as Astérix chez les Bretons and in English in 1970.
After the Roman conquest of Britain ( veni vidi vici and all that...) , a small village of Britons holds out against the Roman invaders just like their counterparts in Gaul.
British chief Mykingdomforanos -aided by his right hand man the Hibernian (Irishman) Overoptimistix and the Caledonian (Scotsman) McAnix- asks one of his favourite men , Aticlimax , to visit his cousin Asterix in Gaul , to seek help.

The result is that he returns to Britain with Asterix , Obelix and a barrel of magic potion. The Romans have however got wind of the news , and they do everything in their power to make sure that the barrel of magic potion does not reach it's destination.

Jam packed with all things British , there are guest appearances by the Beatles ( this book was written when Beatlemania was at its height) and Boadicea. The adventure takes place in such places as the governor's palace in Londinium (Buckingham Palace) , London Bridge , the Tower of London and the Thames.
Our friends are introduced to Rugby and British food (which both the authors and Obelix do not hide their contempt very well) as well as tea (which unbeknown to our heroes plays a large part in the resolution of the story).
There is even a reference to the Channel Tunnel (even though this was written in 1966 , 21 years before construction of the Chunnel begun-the idea was only being talked about then!).
Profile Image for Книжни Криле.
3,583 reviews201 followers
March 11, 2024
Астерикс и Обеликс се отправят на път и прекосяват морето (удобен случай за пердах на пирати!), с цел да ударят едно рамо на събратята си на Острова. Ако Юлий Цезар си е въобразявал, че ще може току-така да сложи ръка върху Британия, то явно се е лъгал жестоко. Бунтовните брити ще бъдат почерпени с цяло буре магическа отвара… стига нещо да не се обърка по пътя. А ние си знаем, че сме в ръцете на гениалните Госини и Юдерзо, тъй че в името на комедията и приключенията - ще се обърка всичко, което изобщо може да се обърка! „Астерикс при бритите“ е осми том от знаменитата поредица за любимите ни галски герои и излиза с логото на „Артлайн“ в превод от Венелин Пройков. Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле“: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
Profile Image for Matti Karjalainen.
3,209 reviews82 followers
December 31, 2015
Sarjan ehdottomaan parhaimmistoon kuuluvan albumin voisi kai kiteyttää näihin kuviin ja näihin tunnelmiin:

- Hyvänen aika! Hämmentävä spektaakkeli.
- Se on, eikö olekin.

Loppuun vielä pieni anekdootti: Goscinny ja Uderzo saivat tietävästi lukijapalautetta aina kun gallialaiset sankarimme seikkailivat eri puolilla maailmaa; milloin tekijät eivät olleet tavoittaneet jonkin alueen kansanluonnetta oikein, milloin yksityiskohdat eivät olleet kohdallaan tai niin edespäin. Englannista kirjeitä ei kuulemma koskaan tullut, eli ehkäpä "Asterix Britanniassa" osui joko täydellisesti maaliinsa, tai sitten britit suhtautuivat tähänkin asiaan tyynen rauhallisesti.
Profile Image for Illiterate.
2,761 reviews55 followers
February 3, 2024
Britain is a land of silly accents, polite manners, dreadful food, milky drinks, warm beer, gardeners, double decker buses, and damp weather. That’s eerily familiar.
Profile Image for Stratos.
979 reviews124 followers
November 16, 2018
Αυτοί οι Γαλάτες! Αιώνες μετά μας δίνουν χαρά και γέλιο. Κλασικό κόμικς που διαβάζεται διαχρονικά από μικρούς και μεγάλους
Profile Image for Colin.
1,693 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2018
Astérix é um dos melhores protagonistas de banda desenhada de sempre e este episódio das suas aventuras, que se pass na minha terra, é o meu favorito.
Profile Image for Pablo Gómez-Abajo.
Author 8 books19 followers
March 7, 2020
Mientras sigamos siendo capaces de reír y de amar, todo lo demás se nos dará por añadidura :-) Divertida aventura de Astérix, como todas, recomendable para niños y no tan niños.
Profile Image for ♛ Garima ♛.
1,010 reviews183 followers
May 17, 2022
I am excited to read this book because I watched movies so many times, I could read all characters in their voice. bit a different storyline though. in the movie Dogmatix goes with them and helped them recover the magic potion from the thief whereas, in the comic, Dogmatix stays in the village with the druid. Regardless, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Living in Britain myself, I agree with Obelix


Profile Image for Vicente Ribes.
905 reviews169 followers
November 30, 2022
Uno de los cómics más divertidos de Asterix con un Obelix on fire,que igual se emborracha que machaca romanos.
Las costumbres típicas de los ingleses aquí caricaturizadas al máximo te despiertan más de una risa. Genial.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.