74 - Asterix and the Laurel Wreath

Asterixlaurel

Asterix and the Laurel Wreath was published in 1972.

The amazing thing about this story is that Asterix and Obelix aren’t in their village until the end of the story.

The structure of this story is a bit different as it starts with our two heroes in Rome. Asterix is in a foul mood...

We next find out what led to this situation.

Right before being in Rome A and O were in big town of Lutetia. They were accompanying their chief, Vitalstatisix, where he had to visit his brother-in-law with his wife, Impedimenta. Unfortunately, the chief does not get along with his successful brother-in-law who seems to always look down on villagers. 

During dinner Vitalstatisix gets a bit too drunk and he makes a promise to his brother-in-law that he’ll get Caesar’s laurel wreath (those leaves that sit on his head) to season in a stew. This is A and O’s mission in this story.

In Rome A and O try many things to get close to Caesar. They walk around the big city and slowly get closer and closer... will they be able to get that wreath?

This story is a silly one. Parts of it are written for adults (one example would be the court scene where Asterix gives a very dramatic speech about how they should be put in prison) but there really isn’t anything that special about this book.

This is A and O’s second time to go to Rome and this story shows a few different aspect of the city. A and O have to live in a Roman’s house for a while as slaves. The drawings of Julius Caesar’s palace are quite impressive...

Towards the end of the story, A and O have to meet a man in the early dawn and the illustrations were done in a very unusual way because there’s this type of “grainy” effect being used... I haven’t seen these used in any other Asterix books.

Young children who read this book can realize that adults do/say pretty stupid things when they get inebriated.

© Quigley Mark 2013