This book is actually a collection of five books, written by Rabelais throughout his life. As the title implies, this set of stories is about a family of giants, and their adventures. These stories are told in a very humorous way, and their style has been given a trademark name (Rabelaisian) for its ample mention of human functions. Since much of the book pokes fun at the Catholic institutions of the day, Rabelais’ Gargantua and Pantagruel was condemned by the Sorbonne, the distinguished University in Paris since the 12th century and a beacon of correct Catholic theological thought during the period of the Reformation. Martin Luther (1483-1546) and Erasmus (1466?–1536) were contemporaries of Rabelais, and these gentlemen were stirring up a lot of trouble for the Catholic Church of their time.
Interestingly enough, Rabelais was a priest of the Catholic Church for a while. Later, he became a medical doctor. He was frequently sponsored in his work by a cardinal of the Church. His irreverent writing sometimes seems like one biting the hand that feeds, but throughout his life he remained intellectually independent and eloquent in his writing in spite of its irreverent humor.
Book I of V tells about Gargantua. It was actually the second book written in this series. The order of printing is traditionally reversed with Book II preceeding the first book Rabelais actually wrote--the one about Pantagruel, Gargantua’s son. So far, I can only tell you a little about Gargantua. His father was King Grandgousier, and as a child, Gargantua is sent off to Paris to learn how to become a gentlemen. His tutors are Ponocrates, Gymnaste, and Eudemon. As a playful young giant, on the way to Paris, he steals the bells of Notre Dame Cathedral, but returns them to a delegation sent to get them back. His education seems to follow the ordinary studies for one of that time. As far as I can tell, his tutors are normal sized men, but Gargantua’s horse, of course, is a giant. When war breaks out with Picrochole, a nearby King (giant?), Gargantua is called back home to advise and defend the estate and country of his father, the King, Grandgousier.
Gargantua, during his trip home, encounters Picrochole’s forces. On hearing of war stories that evening, he calls for the company at supper, the first night they arrive at Grandgousier’s, of one Friar John of the Hashes, a local hero previously mentioned by Rabelais, for having saved the vineyards of his monastery, single-handedly, at first, with nothing more than his staff and cross. It was a really bloody battle, and Friar John is a really lively character. This book is beginning to remind me of Don Quixote and his squire, Sancho Panza. The introduction to this Penguin Classics edition, by the translator, J.M. Cohen, tells how there really is a similarity of the two novels in that respect of comparing them to a set of humorous tales of adventures on the road, a knight and his squire, a giant and his monk.
Adieu, dear reader, until I get further along from page 130 of 712. This one is fun so far.
© 1997 Herman Fontenot
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My name is Herman, and my e-mail address is: kfonteno@flash.net.
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