Customer Reviews

Anatomist, The

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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

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.

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.

I found the character Mateo Colombo compelling, he wasn't at all the typical hero in fact at times he was extremely distasteful both physically and philosophically but at the same time I cared about his outcome, much the same as the central character in " Perfume". The lay out of the book and the loverly style make this an easy book to read in one or two sittings, the down side to this was the slight lack of creditability due to its brevity but hey it was enjoyable and I'm sure alot of female bookclubs will find hours of discussion arise ( excuse the pun ) from this book.

What a delightful story. In addition to being very attractive, (refer to the dust jacket) Andahazi has great turn of phrase. This book was a lot of fun.

Wonderful, short, well written and quite funny.

The book itself is very attractive; fine paper, easy to read font...etc.

This is an interesting historical tale. What I found most interesting was the author's historical research. It is difficult at times to distinguish fact from fiction, and although this may have been a desired effect, it is frustrating at times if you actually want to know what really happened. All in all, the story and characters are potentially fascinating - but only potentially. A great opportunity was missed here. All the ingredients are certainly there to produce a major epic instead of this slender tome. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth reading.

I had heard many good things about this book, enough to persuade me to buy it without browsing it first. That was my first mistake.

There are no interesting characters in this book, or at least no sympathetic ones. (Some of them may qualify as "interesting", if one has a sufficiently flexible definition of "interesting".) Contrary to what the cover and the ad blurbs would have you believe, it is not the least erotic, the plot is poorly constructed, and the style vacillates between failed attempts at levity and overweaning pretentiousness.

Other than that, it was fine.

This book may suffer a little in translation but I enjoyed it! It is interesting to read about the growing knowledge of human sexuality during the Renaissance especially about the brave and curious who dared probe what the Church forbade. The book has given me a new appreciation for female genitalia and the ultimate power of women's sexuality over men.

When book ends, some how if feels that the author missed a great opportunity to write a fantastic novel and settled for an amenable one. The narrative structure is captivating but it needs more sidelines, so many of the characters are fascinating but they are never fully developed and their backgrounds remain hidden. On the other hand the material was perfect to build great suspense and tension with many twists and turns, but Mr. Andahazi preferred to roll out a conclusion. Its like having the opportunity of taking a stroll trough be beautiful country road, and then see the driver heading for the usual highway. What a pity.

This book is easy to read. It was the perfect blend of historical references and great storytelling, definitely a must read. Learn and be entertained at the same time.