The Indomitable Village is holding a feast to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Gergovia, an important Gaulish victory against Caesar. Many of the characters from the previous albums come to the village to join the festivities, which includes a surprise raid of the nearby fortified camps. This brings them into contact with Boneywasawarriorwayayix, an exiled Corsican chieftain being detained at Totorum. After rescuing him, the chieftain invites Asterix and Obelix to accompany him back to Corsica, where he shows them how the Corsicans deal with the Romans.
I've heard that this album was one of Uderzo's personal favourites. I've not been to Corsica, but I can imagine from the pictures I've seen. It's a beautiful place, and looks like a pleasure to draw.
However, I have to regard this as one of the weaker albums. My main issue is that Asterix and Obelix aren't really involved in the story. They don't even have any real reason to go to Corsica. There's no fetch quest, nobody in need of help, and nothing threatening The Indomitable Village. They're literally on holiday.
My other issue is that a lot of the humour is something of an acquired taste, similar to Asterix and the Banquet. Many of the jokes revolve around Corsican stereotypes, which didn't really permeate outside of France, and most of the jokes in the English translation are references to Napoleon.
But does that mean I don't like it? Not at all! I love the portrayal of the Corsicans, who are incredibly work-shy, hold age-old vendettas which emerged over trivial things, and hold elections with pre-stuffed ballot boxes (reflecting a political scandal from the time of writing). There's also the infamously labyrinthine maquis, and a Greek Chorus of four old men sitting on a bench observing the events of the story. There's even a reference to Corsican cheese being depicted as so strong-smelling that the other Gauls can't stomach it. And it's explosive. We all know the stereotype of the French loving smelly cheeses (I like those cheeses, by the way), but it's hilarious that they have their own stereotype which takes it up to eleven.
My favourite joke has to be at the beginning, when the garrisons of all four camps surrounding The Indomitable Village use Gergovia Day to go on "special manoeuvres" so they're away from the camps when the Gauls show up. But the garrison at Totorum is waylaid by the delivery of Boney, and have to stay in. There's a collective chattering of teeth from the whole garrison, and Centurion Hippopotamus actually releases their prisoner. Who refuses to leave because he's having his siesta.
This was one of the best-selling albums in France, and I did enjoy it, but I think it had some major issues which I can't really overlook.
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