The Castafiore Emerald (The Adventures of Tintin)

One of the best in the series. So much fun packed into such a small book!Try reading it aloud with different voices. My daughter learned how to read by doing the part of Snowy.

After the personal drama that lead to the creation of Tintin in Tibet, one of Tintin's least typical but finest adventures, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Hergé had hit some kind of creative block by the time it came to writing its follow-up. If that's the case then The Castafiore Emerald is the comics' equivalent of Fellini's 8½, the artist gathering together a huge cast of familiar characters, and without having recourse to the formula of the conventional narrative format, knowingly and self-reflexively have them run through the standard old routines and mannerisms. Nothing significant seems to happen, but it's still a hugely entertaining experiment that does open-up and shed some light on the creative process.The familiar process of running jokes are the narrative thread that links everything together in The Castafiore Emerald when the Milanese opera diva famous for her rendition of the Jewel Song from Faust ("Ah, my beauty past compare, these jewels bright I wear...") arrives at short notice at Captain Haddock's Marlinspike manor, maidservant, accompanist and jewels in tow, to say nothing of journalists looking for a scoop on a potential romance between the diva and the captain. Poor Haddock has to endure great humiliation, not only on account of being laid-up in a wheelchair after an accident with a broken step on the main staircase (it's the services of stonemason Mr Bolt who is called on continually in this book rather than Mr Cutts the butcher, although of course he gets in on the act), but having his name constantly amusingly mispronounced by Bianca Castafiore (Captain Bartok, Captain Hammock, Captain Hassock).That much, with the usual reliable contributions and misunderstandings from Jolyon Wagg, Professor Calculus and Thompson and Thomson, is familiar with any regular Tintin adventure, but it almost becomes the whole story here. Rather fascinatingly, despite Tintin being alert to dangers from a nearby gipsy encampment, unknown prowlers and suspicious behaviour within the household characters, the suspected theft of Castafiore's jewels ("Mercy, my jewels!") constantly turn out to be false alarms. Even Tintin seems bewildered that he's not jetting off across the globe on the trail of a major conspiracy (one suspects that he already has his suitcase packed for this eventuality).One can see that Hergé is exploring the mechanics of his craft, delighting once again with the range and possibilities afforded by these characters he has created and is examining them to see how they would function in relation to everyday events. Unsurprisingly, even without yetis, gangsters, secret police, smugglers and international drug-dealer cartels to contend with, they all prove to be every bit as entertaining in "real life".

Belgian artist Herge wrote 22 completed adventures for his cartoon hero Tintin, the young journalist. "The Castafiore Emerald" stands out from the lot as an unusual story. First, there is no exotic locale. The action takes place almost entirely in Captain Haddock's home of Marlinspike. Second, Herge never quite gets around to framing up a real adventure. Although there are some mysterious gypsies staying in the area and some objects including an emerald go missing, the police presence is strictly for laughs and we never quite get to a full-blown mystery. Third, although the story abounds in recurring characters such as Tintin's dog Snowy, Professor Calculus, the bumbling detectives Thompson and Thomson, and Madame de Castafiore, none of the series villains makes an appearance.Herge plays this one for laughs. A damaged main staircase at Marlinspike becomes a trap for every unwary passerby. Its most prominent victim is Captain Haddock, who sprains an ankle while trying to escape the impending visit of the formidable opera singer and diva Bianca Castafiore. Castafiore and her entourage descend on the trapped Captain Haddock, who promptly and hilariously becomes an object of tabloid speculation. His entrapment is made no easier by the brilliant and deaf Professor Calculus, who has a soft spot for Castafiore and who unwitting contributes to the speculation about Captain Haddock's impending marriage. Castafiore stages a tv interview and impromptu concert within Marlinspike, which event has its own humorous consequences. Tintin is kept busy sheparding vistors around and checking up on some mysterious events. The final explanation is quite tame, if funny.Herge's attention to detail in his superb plotting and artistry are on full display here, if focused in this instance on the misadventures of his characters. "The Castafiore Emerald" is very highly recommended to Tintin fans of all ages, who should find it a diverting change of pace as a Tintin story.

As always, this Tintin story has fantastic artwork. All the action happens at Marlinspike rather than the usual exotic locations and I wondered if my son would enjoy it as much as the more 'adventurous' stories. However, it is very entertaining and it includes a very good lesson about not making assumptions about people because of their ethnicity, without labouring the point.

As with all Herge’s books, amusing, and beautifully illustrated.

We now have the complete collection of Tin Tin, each one has stimulated a 10 year olds interest and desire to learn more and has also enhanced reading skills and an appreciation of oter cultures and languages. Brilliant for lock down and where appropriate home schooling.

Another brill book for Tintin and snowy

Another one for my collection. Would recommend.