Synopses & Reviews
Following on from the publication of
Nicholas in June 2005,
Nicholas Again is the equally beguiling second title in this well-loved series of books, now available to English-speaking children all over the world. Firmly established as a literary cult figure, the sublimely innocent Nicholas has already charmed millions of readers world-wide since these books were first published over forty years ago. Considered classics and available in twenty-six languages, the Nicholas stories have the ability to delight both children and adults. They are also regularly used as teaching materials by primary and junior school teachers.
Nicholas Again contains seventeen riotously funny escapades. An only child, Nicholas's touchingly naive reaction to situations is often at odds with that of the adults around him. The results are calamitous: in the school room, at home or out and about, the exuberance of Nicholas and his friends often takes over. Whether helping to organise a school newspaper, going fishing in the public gardens, or discovering how to enjoy a visit to the art gallery, Nicholas's efforts always brings delightful mayhem.
In Nicholas, Goscinny and Sempé have created an archetypal schoolchild whose world of mishaps, confusions and downright naughtiness will raise a smile, whatever the age of the reader. Written between 1959 and 1965, these classic books are continually reprinted around the globe and offer not only a hilarious and entertaining read, but a vivid description of French life and culture.
Nicholas Again was translated from the original French by Anthea Bell, who also translated the entire Asterix the Gaul saga into English with Derek Hockridge.
Review
"Readers who enthusiastically tackle American novels about mischievous elementary school kids may not be quite up to this worldlier French version, but they'll certainly enjoy hearing the silliest tales read aloud." Booklist
Synopsis
Nicholas Again is the second in a series of five books about a young schoolboy who is amusing, endearing and always in trouble. Written by the author of Asterix, Ren Goscinny, and featuring witty illustrations by New Yorker cartoonist, Jean-Jacques Semp , this book brings to life the adventures and exploits of Nicholas and his friends. Whether at school or at home, the children are caught up in a series of hilarious escapades that always result in confusion - at least for their teachers and parents. This classic book, still a best-seller in France more than forty years after it was first published, is now available in English to be read, reread and loved forever.
About the Author
René Goscinny (1926 1977) is the world-famous writer and creator, along with Albert Uderzo, of the adventures of Asterix the Gaul. Born in Paris, Goscinny lived in Buenos Aires and New York before returning to France in the 1950s where he met Jean-Jacques Sempé. They collaborated on picture strips and then stories about Nicholas, the popular French schoolboy. An internationally successful childrens author who also won awards for his animated cartoons, Goscinny died in 1977.
Expelled from school for bad behaviour, Jean-Jacques Sempé (b.1932) took application exams for jobs at the French Post Office, a bank and French Railways, and failed them all. As a result, he became a travelling toothpaste salesman and then joined the army. Having served periods of detention for drawing instead of keeping watch, he eventually won an art prize in 1952 given to encourage young amateur artists to turn professional. Most famous in the English-speaking world for his instantly recognizable New Yorker covers, Sempé's illustrations and cartoons are read avidly by French readers of Paris Match on a weekly basis.