Fans of the classic graphic novel series Tintin will enjoy this biographical audiobook about its creator, Herge. Listeners will learn about his lower-middle-class childhood in Belgium, his experience as a teenage illustrator for a Boy Scout magazine, and his years as the illustrious and sometimes controversial originator of the beloved boy reporter. With his hefty catalog, Simon Vance is an excellent choice as narrator. His experience provides a first-rate listening experience. Vance's precise pronunciation of foreign names and places aids those without knowledge of the languages used. Imbuing his performance with an air of enthusiastic familiarity with the material further draws listeners into Herge's world. A.L.S.M. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2021]

Trade • Oasis Audio • 2021 ( )

The Adventures of Tintin have sold over 250 million copies and been translated into over 110 languages. But Herge himself is a complicated figure. While his books bring joy, his life involved a series of scandals, from marital infidelity to accusations of sexism, racism, and anti-Semitism, including possible collaboration with the Nazis during World War Two. Sian Lye wrestles with these flaws in her new biography, The Real Hergé: The Inspiration Behind Tintin. Lye examines Hergé’s life with all the controversies that surround it. She also looks at the personal relationships and experiences that influenced his attitudes and his works.

It is certainly possible to enjoy the Tintin books without knowing Hergé. But they are more interesting after learning about this complex, sometimes frustrating, man. We can learn from him, even if we learn from his mistakes. ( )