Asterix and the Cauldron [Hardcover]

If you love reading about Asterix and Obelix, then you'll really want to own this one! In it, the two intrepid Gauls need to raise a cauldron full of money after a theft threatens the honor of their village. It's clear that these two lack any kind of business sense, and the druid's magic potion can only do so much in the area of fund-raising! This is a great addition to your Asterix collection!

Goscinny and Uderzo outdo themselves in this book, confidently weaving roman history and their story together to form an unbelievably funny parody of ancient Rome. This story sends Asterix and Obelix on a quest to fill their cauldron with sesterii (roman money)...and it's long before the duo realize that earning cash isn't as easy as bashing Romans. One read certainly is not enough for this book; as always with Asterix comics, many of the funniest historical gags are in the sidelines and the little details of each frame. The authors' shameless, tongue-in-cheek humor is priceless...

In 1976 when my family visited Montreal, I first encountered an Asterix saga (Asterix in Britain, I believe). It was a French translation, so I couldn't comprehend it, but I could appreciate the colorful, boisterous comic art and belligerent antics of two remarkable, peregrinating warriors - the diminutive but shrewd and resourceful Asterix, and his rotund, powerful, loyal, and somewhat slow-witted companion Obelix. From then on I was determined to find an English translation of the adventures of these two pugnacious Gauls - hence my first true exposure to Goscinny and Urdero's "Asterix and the Cauldron".

Others have already summarized the plot, but I'll do it as well. In the village where Asterix and Obelix reside when they are not wandering the world seeking adventure, fine cuisine, and people to fight, their chieftain Vitalstatistix somewhat reluctantly hosts a fellow leader and his entourage. Vitalstatistix distrusts this leader because of his avarice and suspected collusion with the hated Romans. Nevertheless, he arranges a feast for his counterpart. The other chief (forget his name) has visited because he is eager to safeguard his money from the Roman tax collectors. Therefore, he poured out a cauldron full of onion soup, tossed the money (in the form of sesterii or Roman coin) in and brought the cauldron to Vitalstatistix's village for safekeeping until the Romans pass. Vitalstatistix selects his most honorable warrior, Asterix, to guard the money. Asterix even forgoes the feast to do so. Despite his best efforts, the money is stolen. In order to restore the village's sullied honor, Asterix consents to going into exile until he can re-fill the cauldron with money. Obelix agrees to tag along. Together, they devise various schemes (selling boars at market, fighting gladiators and pirates, betting on horse-racing, acting in avant-garde theatres, even robbing a Roman bank) to earn the money back, all ending in hilarious failure. However, when all seems lost, Asterix and Obelix encounter a Roman tax auditor and his guard and forcibly wrest the tax earnings from him. Now Asterix can re-pay the debt to the visiting chieftan. However, the money he has appropriated smells like onion soup. Some fancy scheme is going on here!

"Asterix and the Cauldron" features all the elements fans cherish - world-wide jaunts, Getafix's super-strength potion, one-sided battles with Romans and other antagonists, Obelix's insatiable addiction to wild boar and battle, cultural satire, Asterix's quick wit and perception, and Asterix's and Obelix's turbulent but steadfast friendship. All these elements are entertaining. However, what makes "Cauldron" particularly notable is the financial scheme Asterix figures out. I won't reveal it here, but it is fairly complex and ingenious. Obelix can't be faulted for asking Asterix to explain the financial plot later, even after Asterix inexplicably asks him to fight some fellow Gauls. Another notable and endearing aspect of "Cauldron" IS the duo's friendship. Even though he doesn't have to, Obelix is willing to share and endure exile along with Asterix. This is one of the keystones of the "Asterix" series. One final theme is that brute strength alone cannot solve ALL problems. A healthy combination of smarts, cunning, persistence, and brawn is necessary.

In any language, "Cauldron" is an involving, eventful, rib-tiokling, and intelligent tale.

(P.S.: Who knew Obelix suffers from stage fright, or had acting ability?)

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