The Anatomist [Paperback]

Federico Andahazi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 14, 1999

A lyrically written, sensual, and extraordinarily enjoyable novel in which a Renaissance anatomist's astonishing discovery forever changes the female erotic universe.

In sixteenth-centruy Venice, celebrated physician Mateo Colombo finds himself behind bars at the behest of the Church authorities. His is a crime of disclosure, heinous and heretical in the Church's eyes, in that his research threatens to subvert the whole secular order of Renaissance society. Like his namesake Christopher Colombus, he has made a discovery of enormous significance for humankind. Whereas Colombus voyaged outward to explore the world and found the Americas, Mateo Colombo looked inward, across the mons veneris, and uncovered the clitoris. Based on historical fact, The Anatomist is an utterly fascinating excursion into Renaissance Italy, as evocative of time and place as the work of Umberto Eco, and reminiscent of the earthy sensuality of Gabriel Garc&#237a M&#225rquez. Perceptive and stirring, it ironically exposes not only the social hypocracies of the day, but also the prejudices and sexual taboos that may still be with us four hundred years later.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"O my America, my new-found-land!" Mateo Renaldo Colombo (or Columbus, to give him his English name) might have written in his De re anatomica."

It is no accident that Federico Andahazi draws a parallel between his Renaissance hero, the anatomist Mateo Colombo, and the explorer Christopher Columbus. It is the conceit of his first novel, The Anatomist (beautifully translated from the Spanish by Alberto Manguel), that both Colombos made "equally momentous and disturbing" discoveries. Every schoolchild can tell you what Columbus's was; less well known, perhaps, is that of his countryman and fellow "explorer." "Mateo's America is less distant and infinitely smaller than Christopher's; in fact, it's not much larger than the head of a nail." In short, Mateo Renaldo Colombo discovered the Amor Veneris, the clitoris.

Andahazi makes much of this discovery, not to mention its discoverer: "The discovery of Mateo Colombo's America was, all things considered, an epic counterpointed by an elegy. Mateo Colombo was as fierce and heartless as Christopher. Like Christopher (to use an appropriate metaphor) he was a brutal colonizer who claimed for himself all rights to the discovered land, the female body." Certainly women readers will view this description with at least as much irony as Native Americans regard that other Columbus's "discovery" of a land they had known about all along.

The Anatomist is based on a historical figure and historical fact; what Andahazi provides is his title character's heart and soul. The fictional Colombo is driven by desire for the high-priced courtesan Mona Sofia. Though Mateo adores her, the heartless Sofia regards him as nothing more than a paying customer. After breaking both his heart and his bank account over her, Colombo returns to his native Padua whence he is eventually called to Florence to treat a saintly young widow, Inés de Torremolinos. Inés is "infinitely beautiful," and her illness is "far from common." While examining her, he discovers "between his patient's legs a perfectly formed, erect and diminutive penis." Land ho.

Though Colombo's "discovery," first in Inés and then in other women, offers plenty of opportunity for eroticism, the most compelling aspect of The Anatomist lies in the Church's reaction to De re anatomica, the book Colombo writes detailing his find. The Renaissance may well have signaled the birth of new art, science, and philosophy, but it was also the age of Inquisition--and Colombo's unfolding of "the key to the heart of all women ... the anatomical cause of love" soon lands him in prison on charges of heresy and Satanism. The trial, Mateo's defense, and the surprising aftermath make for provocative reading and raise The Anatomist above the level of the merely erotic to a more intriguing philosophical plane, one that is sure to prompt a lively discussion or two. --Alix Wilber --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Matteo Colombo of Padua, capable of rendering the most exquisite anatomical charts and who is in fact the most famous anatomist in Europe, is a Renaissance man infused with the spirit of Leonardo. The dissection of cadavers has long been forbidden by the Church, but it is not for this heresy that Matteo is hounded by the Inquisition. Much as the hands of a musician caress an instrument, his anatomist's hands have learned the magic of roaming a woman's body and, just as his namesake, Cristoforo Colombo, discovered America, Matteo discovers the small erectile organ hidden behind the fleshy labia that is today called the clitoris. And it is for this "crime" that he is imprisoned. Based on the actual historical case, this captivating first novel by a Buenos Aires psychiatrist is unexpectedly light, ironic, sensual, evocative of its era, and a pleasure to read. Recommended for all libraries.
-?Jack Shreve, Allegany Coll. of Maryland, Cumberland
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (September 14, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385491336
• ISBN-13: 978-0385491334
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.5 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #313,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible ending, July 30, 2008

By 

Carlos T. Mock "carloschicago" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Anatomist (Paperback)

The protagonist, Mateo Realdo Colombo, or Mateo Colón, is an anatomy doctor in the sixtieth century Renaissance. He falls miserably for a your prostitute, Mona Sofía. Daily, he paints her and tries to get her to fall in love with him. After running out of money and patience, he goes on a quest for a way to gain her love.

He starts mixing love potions, without success, and is almost turned over to the Inquisition--for dissecting cadavers and visiting prostitutes--in pursuit of his quest. A young, rich, and powerful widow, Inés de Torremolinos, saves him.

Inés was very sick, and upon examination, Mateo discovers that she has a very large clitoris. By way of massaging the organ, he realizes that it is the anatomical equivalent of kleitoris, unknown in the western world. He names it "Amor Veneris" (Pubic love). Realizing the power this organ has over women, he can't wait to go back to the love of his life, Mona. Unfortunately, he publishes his findings, and he is again facing The Inquisition.

The trial is described in pure detail; this time Mateo falls victim of the biggest irony that life can offer to any human being.

Federico Andahazi has written a passionate historical novel about one of the most famous Renaissance medical doctors. He has succeeded in re-creating the period, not only in its customs, but also in its perverse ways. The author sustains a rhythm that keeps the reader intrigued--while adding humor and irony--with an ending that you never saw coming."

Note, I read the original Spanish edition

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful translation of a fascinating book, September 24, 2003

By 

E. L. Weinhold "Lolly" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Anatomist (Hardcover)

The Anatomist was a beautiful and fascinating story. The writing style flows wonderfully, unlike many other translated books I have read. The characters were so deep and so personal. I was especially intrigued by the chapters about Mona Sofia's birth and upbringing. Many of the tragedies and experiences that are described in the book form her adult character--a woman who has been taught not to love anyone, and not to show any emotion.

The author's style was well-crafted, and extremely readable. As noted by some of the other readers above, such overtly erotic and sexual themes are discussed, but reading the text is akin to a historical account or philosophical discussion.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Trenchant criticism of male-oriented medicine., May 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Anatomist (Hardcover)

The obvious parallel in this novella is between the anatomist Mateo Columbo, and the explorer Christoforo Columbo. Each may have expanded the universe of knowledge of their time, but did so for personal gain as much as any devotion to a Quest for Truth. The anatomist's search for the means to control women through their "passion" is also a means to impose his passion upon the unobtainable great puttana Mona Sofia. This reviewer sees an additional parallel suugested by the fact that the author is a psychiatrist.