Oreille Cassee Book

Ah, Tintin. It's been a while since I have read one of his adventures. I have picked up a few in the last few years aiming to get around to them one day. I guess like a lot of people, I first came across Tintin in the local library. They had 5 or 6 that were hot items in my day. If you saw one you hadn't read yet you had to snap that one up real quick because you may not see it again for months on end.

So I started with the earliest story I own, 'The Broken Ear'. When a South American idol is stolen from the local museum Tintin is intrigued. It holds no value at all. Why would anyone want to steal it? But, the next day, it is returned with an apology note. It seems it was stolen on a dare. But Tintin knows something is up, because the idol that was returned is not identical to the idol that was stolen. What follows is an adventure into the heart of South America.

This adventure was a bit of fun. Sure there were lots of coincidences to get out of trouble, and just as much to get into trouble. But we're not here for realism are we? Tintin endears himself to a South American dictator. Tintin goes in front of a firing squad. Tintin goes undercover in black face. Yes, it's probably not the most culturally sensitive children's book out there, but I'd hazard to say it's probably one of the not quite so bad ones from the 1940's and 50's.

Unfortunately, no Captain Haddock or Professor Calculus yet, and only a few cells of the Thompsons.

Onward and upward. Looking forward to some later adventures. I have fond memories of The Crab with the Golden Claw.