I just finished reading Asterix in Corsica.
After being a bit disappointed with the last Asterix book that I read, I’m glad to say that this one is considerably much better.
The beginning of the story starts with the “anniversary celebration”. Many of the Gauls’ friends are invited from all over the continent to their village, and on this special day, they love to beat up Romans.
While the preparations are underway, we find out that a Corsican has been taken prisoner and has been dragged all the way to one of the Roman camps next to Asterix’s village.
A big fight-for-fun ensues and the Gauls meet the Corisican who informs them of why he’s been exiled. The story goes, there’s a praetor (this was a new word for me... according to the dictionary it’s a Roman magistrate ranking below consul... get it?) on Corsica who has to send a lot of stolen loot to Caesar every year to suck up to him. The Corsicans don’t like this so every year they beat of Romans and take their stuff back.
The village leader Vitalstatisix decides that it would be good for Asterix and Obelix to see how these events proceed and off they go on another exciting voyage.
The one thing that kept me amused about this story was how extreme those Corsicans can be. They have eyes that can stare you with lighting bolts... they all carry pocket knives... they treat woman in their own special way... they’re very laid back when it comes to work, always waiting for siesta time... and they have to make everything a little bit too dramatic when talking among themselves.
I found some of the artwork mighty impressive and there are several scenes where the author/illustrator sticks with one background for many scenes (only relying on dialogue -- pg 33).
I enjoyed reading this story... wherever you go in this world you’ll find different cultures. I’m sure children who read this would become more curious about what’s out there in this big world of ours if they read stories like this.
