Publisher's Synopsis
The Life of Gargantua and the Heroic Deeds of Pantagruel is a satirical novel written by French Renaissance author, Francis Rabelais. The book is divided into five volumes, each of which tells the story of the lives of two giants, Gargantua and his son Pantagruel. The novel is a humorous and often bawdy commentary on the society and culture of Rabelais' time, with a focus on the excesses and absurdities of the Church, the legal system, and the educational system. The characters engage in various adventures and battles, often involving food and drink, and the book is known for its use of grotesque and exaggerated imagery.The first volume, The Horrible and Terrifying Deeds and Words of the Very Renowned Pantagruel King of the Dipsodes, Son of the Great Giant Gargantua, tells the story of Pantagruel's birth and education, as well as his travels and battles with various enemies. The second volume, The Very Horrific Life of Great Gargantua, Father of Pantagruel, King of the Dipsodes, recounts the life and adventures of Pantagruel's father, Gargantua.The third volume, The Heroic Deeds and Sayings of the Good Pantagruel, focuses on Pantagruel's battles against various enemies, including lawyers, theologians, and other scholars. The fourth volume, The Very Joyous and Pleasant Adventures of the Good Pantagruel, continues Pantagruel's adventures and introduces new characters, including the scholar Panurge and the sea monster Grandgousier.The final volume, The Last Words of Master Francis Rabelais, is a collection of miscellaneous writings, including letters, poems, and other works. The Life of Gargantua and the Heroic Deeds of Pantagruel is considered a masterpiece of French literature and has been influential in shaping the development of the novel as a literary form.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
