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cloryo's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
ansl's review against another edition
1.0
2015: What the hell was me dat? Als dit echt het eerste Kuifje-album was, begrijp ik echt niet waarom het zo populair is geworden. De latere strips zijn echt zoveel beter (en ook minder random in verhaallijn :p). Nee, grote teleurstelling, vooral omdat Kuifje eigenlijk echt wel een rotzak is in dit deel (wth: dieren afschieten/zelfs laten ontploffen met dynamiet zonder enige reden? en enorm racistisch zijn?).
2020: Na 5 jaar is het er niet beter op geworden.
2020: Na 5 jaar is het er niet beter op geworden.
saaraa96's review against another edition
1.0
Why doesn't it have 0 stars?!
I never thought there be a TinTin book worse than the previous one, but it was terrible!!
How could it be so racist and OH!
You should not teach these things to children!
I'm just happy I didn't read it when I was a child.
I never thought there be a TinTin book worse than the previous one, but it was terrible!!
How could it be so racist and OH!
You should not teach these things to children!
I'm just happy I didn't read it when I was a child.
bergamote's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
gjeebus_k's review against another edition
3.0
Another story of TinTin I never saw on television, which I found a bit weird. Until now...
I'm from Belgium, so I know the history we have with Congo. But this novel just blew my mind, in the bad way...
I know this comic dates back to the days when Belgium was still proud of their colony and the horrible things our king did to its inhabitants, but come on!
Treating the people of Congo like dumb slaves who will do everything for a white person?
Travelling to Congo to kill wild animals for fun? (OK, people still do this, but that doesn't make it acceptable for God's sake!)
It was hard to find out what the story really was all about, not to speak about the two 'villains' who try to kill TinTin for the most absurd reasons.
And although I'm a fan of Snowy (Bobby in my language), I don't like the way he is portrayed in this novel. I remember Snowy as a smart dog who helps TinTin, even if he gets hurt. Not like a stubborn dog who tries to talk(?) to TinTin and is afraid of almost everything he encounters.
Again, I quickly found out why this story (like the story of Soviet Russia) wasn't animated for the TV show. I would've never liked TinTin if I saw him shooting wildlife just for fun!
I'm from Belgium, so I know the history we have with Congo. But this novel just blew my mind, in the bad way...
I know this comic dates back to the days when Belgium was still proud of their colony and the horrible things our king did to its inhabitants, but come on!
Treating the people of Congo like dumb slaves who will do everything for a white person?
Travelling to Congo to kill wild animals for fun? (OK, people still do this, but that doesn't make it acceptable for God's sake!)
It was hard to find out what the story really was all about, not to speak about the two 'villains' who try to kill TinTin for the most absurd reasons.
And although I'm a fan of Snowy (Bobby in my language), I don't like the way he is portrayed in this novel. I remember Snowy as a smart dog who helps TinTin, even if he gets hurt. Not like a stubborn dog who tries to talk(?) to TinTin and is afraid of almost everything he encounters.
Again, I quickly found out why this story (like the story of Soviet Russia) wasn't animated for the TV show. I would've never liked TinTin if I saw him shooting wildlife just for fun!
zare_i's review against another edition
3.0
Second book in the series is way, way better than the first one (Tintin in the land of Soviets) in both graphical presentation and consistency of the story.
Story itself seems to be a popular view at the time of Africa, European African colonies and native people. Especially of Congo, Belgian colony, that was ruthlessly exploited while ran as personal fiefdom of Leopold II, king of Belgium, until it was, at the end of first decade of 20th century, made part of Belgium state territory.
With that said portrayal of native people is very simplistic and will definitely be offending today (although to be honest as far as I can see this volume was found to be offending even in 60's and 70's). Keep in mind this was written in 1930's and story reflects the period with all its racial stereotypes and prejudices.
Second element that remained controversial with this book is approach to wildlife - Tintin is presented as a big-games hunter that came to Africa to hunt down every signature animal from Africa (lion, rhino, elephant) for his news report. Again this is part of the story that will be offending to many today but at the time big game hunters were celebrities (and let us not forget that unfortunately this practice continues even today with hunt-safari's).
So if you are aiming at politically correct works then this one is not for you.
Improvements over the volume #1 are in art (we can see the art becoming much better and comic is starting to look like Tintin we know today) and consistency of the story. Although nature of comic (serialization in newspaper over the months) is more than obvious, story itself is much more cohesive and does not read like just a collection of short gags.
All in all much better book than volume #1 and one that shows bright future for Tintin.
Story itself seems to be a popular view at the time of Africa, European African colonies and native people. Especially of Congo, Belgian colony, that was ruthlessly exploited while ran as personal fiefdom of Leopold II, king of Belgium, until it was, at the end of first decade of 20th century, made part of Belgium state territory.
With that said portrayal of native people is very simplistic and will definitely be offending today (although to be honest as far as I can see this volume was found to be offending even in 60's and 70's). Keep in mind this was written in 1930's and story reflects the period with all its racial stereotypes and prejudices.
Second element that remained controversial with this book is approach to wildlife - Tintin is presented as a big-games hunter that came to Africa to hunt down every signature animal from Africa (lion, rhino, elephant) for his news report. Again this is part of the story that will be offending to many today but at the time big game hunters were celebrities (and let us not forget that unfortunately this practice continues even today with hunt-safari's).
So if you are aiming at politically correct works then this one is not for you.
Improvements over the volume #1 are in art (we can see the art becoming much better and comic is starting to look like Tintin we know today) and consistency of the story. Although nature of comic (serialization in newspaper over the months) is more than obvious, story itself is much more cohesive and does not read like just a collection of short gags.
All in all much better book than volume #1 and one that shows bright future for Tintin.
bronzeparachute's review against another edition
1.0
I knew going into this that it was going to be racist. I just didn't realize HOW racist. The native Congolese population is drawn like monkeys. *shudder*
hadhiq_786's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Includes racism and animal killings but negligible