The Judge by René Goscinny

Why read the book?

While driving cattle to Pecos, Luke is arrested by Roy Bean, a barkeeper who has crowned himself judge and dispenses verdicts from behind his saloon, helped by his bear Joe. Bean uses a battered old code to fine and rob anyone who passes through, and he confiscates Luke's herd after a mock trial.

Luke escapes and tries playing one tyrant against another, recruiting a rival named Bad Ticket. That backfires, since Bad Ticket proves even worse and tries to hang Luke. In the end Luke, Bean and the bear team up, and Bean is left to judge himself.

Favourite quote

What I Loved

Goscinny's arrival shows at once. The satire of small town justice is sharp, and Bean is a wonderful blowhard, all bluster and crooked rulings.

The pet bear Joe is a lovely touch, and the courtroom scenes turn legal nonsense into proper comedy.

Key Takeaway

A man who makes himself the law is the first one who needs judging.

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