Pantagruel (Hesperus Classics) [Paperback]

FranCois Rabelais (Author), Paul Bailey (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2003 | ISBN-10: 2844003656 | ISBN-13: 978-1843910565

François Rabelais holds a unique place in the history of world literature, and no more so than for his extraordinary satirical entertainment Gargantua and Pantagruel. Here the first of these volumes is presented in a new and lively translation. Pantagruel recounts the life a popular giant. From his portentous birth and colorful childhood, to his visit to Paris and his travels through Utopia, and not withstanding his enormous appetite, Pantagruel’s history is told with a breathtaking degree of gaiety and wit. Ingeniously coining new expressions, and with an unashamed obsession with bodily functions, Rabelais blends prose and poetry, the sacred and profound, to offer a heady satire of the religious society of his day. The result is a bawdy and brilliant celebration of life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Andrew Brown... creates a wholly credible, modern, reinvigorated Rabelais who still jumps off the page after more than 450 years.' - TLS"

About the Author

Physician and humanist Francois Rabelais (c. 1494 - c. 1553) was a leading figure in Renaissance France. Paul Bailey has so far written eight novels, a memoir, a biography and edited several anthologies. He is also a frequent contributor to Radio and TV and works as a critic and reviewer for the Times Literary Supplement and other newspapers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Hesperus Press (November 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2844003656
• ISBN-13: 978-1843910565
• ASIN: 184391056X
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,907,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book for Those Who Love Bawdy and Bathroom Humor, September 17, 2004

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 110,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pantagruel (Hesperus Classics) (Paperback)

This book is the best one I have ever read for using sexual and execretory references for effective satire. The optimal reader is probably a boy aged 8-13 who loves to explore the world from this perspective already. Older readers will enjoy the social commentary as well, but may not revel in the means of the commentary unless they like extensive references to bodily functions.

The use of the humor in this book is like slapstick is to comedy, its most outrageous and least restrained form.

No one can stay grumpy while reading this book. It may be the only literary solution for depression ever developed.

Obviously, if you can read French, it is even better in the original.

Many people will choose not to read this book because of the earthy nature of the language. That is probably a mistake, because those who make that choice are suffering from the unattractiveness stall, not seeing the swan in the ugly duckling. Earthy humor can be a great way to communicate, in the appropriate circumstances. You owe it to yourself to learn how a master, Rabelais, does it.

As a tip to the reader who has more sensitive tastes, I suggest you skip through to the end of sections that are bothering you. The very next section may well be one that leaves you in uncontrolled laughter, irresistibly lightening your mood.

Have a great laugh!