I'm torn with this book. As much as I love tintin the book sometimes confuses me (not knowing that much lit figures up in europe). His references are somewhat out there. Although he provides insights to tintin that just wants to meet the characters. ( )

This is definitely a silly book, and I'm not entirely sure that it wasn't written with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Yet despite its over-reliance on Continental philosophy, the book has some real "aha!" moments and makes some pretty interesting (if often patently absurd) claims. On the whole, it's a light, fast, and entertaining read for any Tintinophile, and I'm surprised to find myself heartily recommending it--even if many Herge devotees will end up throwing it against the wall in frustration. Still, as long as you don't take it, or yourself, too seriously, you may enjoy being sucked in! ( )

This book is a fairly perceptive enumeration of some of the things that make Tintin special mixed with an embarrassingly bad attempt at showing off the author's knowledge of French literary criticism. Maybe the central thesis does hold, but not thanks to all of the Barthes and Derrida that's pointlessly waved around in this book.

I am generally against point-based reviewing, but I am giving this book five stars for intuition and zero stars for its freshmanly attempt to impress some professor somewhere. Average 2 1/2. ( )