THOMPSON, HARRY — Tintin, Herge and His Creation

UK, Hodder & Stoughton. 1991. Hardcover with dust jacket, 24 Cm. Book, Hergé (Georges Remi) hated "pseudo-intellectual rubbish", says Harry Thompson in this thoroughly enjoyable biography. "The hidden meanings and allegories that others found in Tintin's activities were of no interest to him. His aim was always to keep it simple and direct." And that's exactly what Thompson does, too. This is a pleasingly straightforward account of how Tintin began life as a big boy scout fighting socialists, but evolved over time into a more apolitical character on the side of the underdog. During the second world war, Hergé proved himself to be neither a coward nor a hero, but a comic artist keeping his head down. Before the war Hergé was Tintin, says Thompson, but after the war he was Captain Haddock. 232 crisp pp, photos amidships, 700g packed for post to you, dj a bit grubby-ish where it's rested against ???, price clipped, no tears. review >>>> I have to be honest here and declare that this book and its conclusion is truly one of the best I've ever read for a study of the work of Herge. Very Good/Good/Fair.