Asterix the Gaul
Score Classic
What it's about
It's 50 B.C., and all of Gaul is occupied by the Romans. Well, not quite: one small village of indomitable Gauls still holds out, thanks to a magic potion brewed by the druid Getafix that gives superhuman strength. In this first adventure, the Romans try to discover the potion's secret, and the clever Asterix and his enormous friend Obelix have to outwit them.
Why it's worth reading
It's on Le Monde's list of the 100 books of the century, and Asterix is one of the best-selling comic series in the world. It's full of puns, slapstick and jokes for both children and adults.
You'll love it if you liked
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Guards! Guards! or Good Omens
Good to know
It's a short comic album, about 48 pages. Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge's English translation is famous for its wordplay.
Quick answers
Is Asterix the Gaul worth reading?
Yes. It's on Le Monde's list of the 100 books of the century, and Asterix is one of the best-selling comic series in the world. It ranks #1,384 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 69.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Asterix the Gaul about?
It's 50 B.C., and all of Gaul is occupied by the Romans. Well, not quite: one small village of indomitable Gauls still holds out, thanks to a magic potion brewed by the druid Getafix that gives superhuman strength. In this first adventure, the Romans try to discover the potion's secret, and the clever Asterix and his enormous friend Obelix have to outwit them.
How long does it take to read Asterix the Gaul?
About 1 hours (48 pages), or about 2 days at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Asterix the Gaul?
If you liked it, try The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett or Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.
By the numbers
- Readers77 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller24 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
On the Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century list.
Where it ranks
- #20 of the 35 humor books we rank
- #403 of the 763 classics we rank
- #1384 of the 2,819 books we rank
On the lists
- Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century
Reads as
Funny, Adventurous, Uplifting
