Furienna:
I love "The Castafiore Emerald". I don't see how anybody can find it boring, as it's so full of humor.
I couldn't agree more. I have always loved "The Castafiore Emerald". While being completely unlike any of the other Tintin adventures, it is a masterpiece in its own right. Frankly, it was relieving for me to read at least one Tintin adventure that does not involve fighting crime and criminals! I loved reading about Tintin and Captain Haddock's day-to-day life (which, of course, gets disrupted thanks to the Signora's arrival..but that's another story :D), the rumored relationship between Capt. Haddock and Castafiore (one of the best parts of the book-"My love is like a red, red rose" :P), and who can forget the dear parrot... :D
And it does have its share of adventure and suspense.. the initial mayhem with the lost jewels, (which, as it turned out, were never lost.. :D) the little lost scissors, and the actual loss of the emerald..which, we have to admit, was indeed a theft-although by a magpie..
The book has its share of tense moments as well.. at the very beginning with the Captain's sprained ankle and plaster, his later being bitten on the nose by the parrot, the Signora's necklace breaking in the garden, Castafiore's accompanist disappearing to place gambling bets, the suspense surrounding the gypsies and they later being accused of the emerald theft..and how can I forget Captain Haddock's misadventure with the red rose and the bee-nosebite!! :D
Before I quote the entire story here, let me just say..I certainly don't agree with anyone who thinks this is a boring book..it is, while being very different from the other Tintin adventures, an outstanding piece of creation-which goes to shows how Herge could create a masterpiece from a seemingly routine story of daily country life.