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Cigars of the Pharoah (The Adventures of Tintin) by: Herge

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Publisher: Mammoth
Release date: 20th June, 2003
Media: Hardcover

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Average rating -

Rating: - Silly but very entertaining

As far as I'm concerned, the first two Tintin books (in the land of the Soviets , in Kongo) are pure crap; unwitty, uninspired, plotless. The third one (in America) is not so great either, but at least it has some satire and some interesting characters - though not too many. This is the fourth Tintin book and while it is a mess plot-wise, "the real Hergé" was beginning to emerge. The book really doesn't hold up as a whole, but it has quite a few wonderful & funny moments in it.

This is great entertainment for kids and, if one isn't too concerned about the weaknesses in the plot, for adults too.

Rating: - Definitely Not Amongst Herge's Best

As has already been noted by several ealier reviewers, Cigars Of The Pharoah really is not worthy of so many of Herge's other books.

Indeed, the story is a very confusing and untidy affair, with the action shifting abruptly from one part of the globe to a completely different one within the space of a couple of pictures. The plot lines behave in a similar fashion, and previously unknown individuals and organisations enter the story without explanation and little apparent relevance. And it ends in an ambiguous and unsatisfying way. (I'm very interested to see what an earlier reviewer said about this book originating as a strip cartoon).

This is a great shame, as it has (IMO) one of the most attractive covers and lots of other wonderful artwork. In fact, its because of the artwork that I've given it 3 stars rather than 2. (Pity there wasn't more of the GREAT Egyptian scenery - I reckon Herge missed a trick there).

Nevertheless, for any real Tintin fan, there are still things to enjoy in this book, and a proper collection wouldn't be complete without it.

Rating: - Only if you are collecting the whole series...

The plot had too many loose ends that were tied up in a mix-n-match fashion... Not slick and satisfying enough, disappointing compared to the better adventures like the Blue Lotus or Tibet. But the artwork is superb, and provides a (brief) introduction of other characters that appear later in the series.

Rating: - Not the best Tintin book

This is one of Herge's earliest books, redrawn in the 1950s. It is clearly based on a weekly strip rather than an overall plan, because the plot doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. The action suddenly moves to India in the last third of the book, and the coincidence that Tintin happens to crash-land near the headquartes of the organisation he is investigating seems ridiculous. The whole thing seems rather muddled.

Rating: - A good book, probably a part of a trilogy or something!

This is a book as good as any in the Tintin series. But it just seems that there is a missing link, as it starts with Tintin's voyage back towards Europe from Asia and the story is set in Egypt and back again in India for a bit!

Also it is open-ended, with the boss of the gang not being caught. Although I have read the next part it was a long time ago and can't remember which one it was. Now I will have to buy the rest (which I was going to anyway!)..

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