Tintin and the Secret of Literature

In his literary criticism, McCarthy investigates The Adventures of Tintin - the series of comic books created by Belgian cartoonist Hergé - positioning them as a phenomenon of European culture that moves beyond the boundaries of conventional ‘drawn stories'.

Taking his cue from French literary critic Roland Barthes, McCarthy presents Tintin as the ‘degree zero' of personage. His character is ambiguous: ageless; without a family or background; he is a writer who does not write. The true essence of The Adventures of Tintin can only be obtained by overlaying information, reading through in order to uncover hidden meanings. McCarthy uses psychoanalysis to examine coded motifs within the comic books, revealing how The Adventures of Tintin are intimately connected to the story of Hergé's own life. McCarthy introduces the reader to this complex and fascinating world, and begins to unravel its mystery.

Tintin and the Secret of Literature gives us new insight into the significance of the comic. McCarthy presents the Tintin series as a subject worthy of serious analysis, comparing it to literary classics. He argues that Hergè is more than simply a great cartoonist, and that the books display "a mastery of plot and symbol, theme and sub-text far superior to that displayed by most ‘real' novelists", exploring eternal ideas, such as the struggle between good and evil, life and death, friendship and betrayal.