⇒ [PDF] The Black Island Herge 9781405206181 Books

The Black Island Herge 9781405206181 Books

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The Black Island Herge 9781405206181 Books

The Black Island has the unusual distinction of existing in two different color versions. The first color version appeared in 1943 and the second color version appeared in 1966. The primary reason for the revision was to make the background "set" more authentic and up to date. Herge's assistant Bob de Moor went on a research expedition to Britain in 1961 to gather information for the revision. The second color version is the one that is more widely available and familiar to most Tintin fans.

The present review is concerned with the first color version, which is what I purchased. (I feel I have to state this explicitly because Amazon typically lumps reviews of different versions together.) I've read a couple of expert opinions comparing the two versions and the consensus seems to be that the earlier version is superior, having a freshness and sparkle that is lacking in the later version. But I personally don't agree. In most cases I feel that the change has been for the better. The plot and dialogue are almost identical, with only incidental variations here and there. But there is more detail and texture in the new version, enhancing the reading experience without being distracting. There is a certain quaintness associated with the older technology in the first color version (airplanes, cars, and even the fire alarm) but unless you are a dedicated Tintin aficionado, the more widely available second color version is the one I would recommend.


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The Black Island Herge 9781405206181 Books Reviews

I had all of these Tintins as a kid growing up in Trinidad and Tobago. It is a great trip down memory lane and my son loves them as well! The books are just great fun adventures! Wonderful books!!

There are a few books though that I didn't care for. One was Tintin in America which was completely off base. The trip to the moon was a a little weak as well in my mind even as a kid. I guess because the space race was going on and it seemed again, off base. It would have been REALLY good in the '50s ;-)
Belgian artist Herge wrote "The Black Island", featuring his cartoon hero Tintin, a young journalist and adventurer, in the 1930's, then refurbished the artwork in the 1950's. The result is a classic mystery of the pre-Captain Haddock days that will be appreciated by Tintin fans.

The story opens, shockingly, with Tintin's near fatal encounter with two men and an unregistered plane on a country field. As the two bumbling detectives Thomson and Thompson explain to the recovering Tintin, the whole thing is pretty fishy. Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy take up the case, identifying a gang of forgers and tracking them across the English Channel, through the English countryside, and ultimately to their lair on a remote island in Scotland. The sequence in Scotland features lots of Scottish dialect by men in kilts, and includes an unexpected encounter in a half-ruined castle with a real monster.

"The Black Island" introduces Dr. Muller, a nasty Germanic villain who will make a return appearance in a later adventure. The story itself sets the pattern of the Tintin adventures, as Tintin's amateur sleuthing draws him into one exotic sequence of danger after another, broken up by the periodic touch of humor. "The Black Island" is very highly recommended to Tintin fans of all ages.
I ordered a hard cover but got a regular paperback. It was an older print (by Magnet, rather than Egmont or Little Brown) and the difference in the quality is evident (All the other books I have in the Tintin series are either hard covers by Egmont or paperback by Little Brown). Taking a look back at the description, it does say 1991 print so I don't have complaints about that.
The hardcover vs paperback mixup is definitely dissapointing.
Bought to read with my six year old. I was a little taken aback by some of the content on first glance - both the bad guys and Tintin himself wield guns and shoot each other - which was a bit much for my delicate English sensibilities. People end up hospitalized, but nobody actually dies. Tintin is quite physically reckless - jumping from high walls onto moving cars, etc, which you wouldn't want to inspire young kids to try and emulate. His dog accidentally drinks some whiskey, gets drunk, and thereafter has a predilection for tracking down more.

But on reflection I think it's good to expose the kids to things a bit outside their usual boundaries, and have an excuse to chat about those elements. I don't believe in sanitizing everything. That's probably why kids love it. I've already bought another in the series because we enjoyed this a good deal.
The Black Island has the unusual distinction of existing in two different color versions. The first color version appeared in 1943 and the second color version appeared in 1966. The primary reason for the revision was to make the background "set" more authentic and up to date. Herge's assistant Bob de Moor went on a research expedition to Britain in 1961 to gather information for the revision. The second color version is the one that is more widely available and familiar to most Tintin fans.

The present review is concerned with the first color version, which is what I purchased. (I feel I have to state this explicitly because typically lumps reviews of different versions together.) I've read a couple of expert opinions comparing the two versions and the consensus seems to be that the earlier version is superior, having a freshness and sparkle that is lacking in the later version. But I personally don't agree. In most cases I feel that the change has been for the better. The plot and dialogue are almost identical, with only incidental variations here and there. But there is more detail and texture in the new version, enhancing the reading experience without being distracting. There is a certain quaintness associated with the older technology in the first color version (airplanes, cars, and even the fire alarm) but unless you are a dedicated Tintin aficionado, the more widely available second color version is the one I would recommend.