Iznogoud the Relentless
Iznogoud Book 10: Iznogoud the Relentless, by Goscinny & Tabary, Cinebook
THERE'S MUCH to be celebrated here as Iznogoud, that scoundrel of a grand vizier from ancient Baghdad, reaches double figures for the number of consecutive books published in English for the first time.
Having never really caught on before when translated the rascal’s time seems to have come. That, or the fact that when you think about it Iznogoud fits the mould of the traditional British comedy comic strip character perfectly after all: (a) He’s a naughty character who always gets his comeuppance, (b) he’s got a popular tagline “I want to be caliph instead of the Caliph”, (c) familiar supporting characters, (d) the status quo never changes... And maybe it’s because there are so few of those today, or that the existing ones have been neutered so much that Iznogoud is still able to make us raise a smile ten books in.
This time round there’s a lot of wizardy-pokery at work, with what looks like a long-bearded cross dressing sorcerer being behind the invention of hopscotch (as a means to make one young), a seashell that upon listening to the ocean with it against your ear transports you to a desert island, a charm that causes forgetfulness and a flute that when played turns you into a dog... And a magic catalogue! All of which Iznogoud tries to use to get rid of Caliph Haroun Al Plassid, to no good effect but much silly mirth along the way.
Do yourself a favour, have a laugh, check this book out.
For more information on Iznogoud visit Cinebook.
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