Post by account_disabled on Dec 26, 2023 8:54:40 GMT
I have in my hands a beautiful bound volume, complete with silk bookmark, inside a slipcase. It is a book that dates back to 1542, or rather this is the translation carried out based on the edition of that year. I'm talking about Gargantua and Pantagruel by Francois Rabelais. An 850 page book, with a substantial 19 page index. A novel that has undergone several cuts, given that the author, a former Franciscan, was censored and, it is said, perhaps even imprisoned for this work of his. A gargantuan book, there is no other way to describe it.
It is divided into five books: Book One: The very horrifying life of the great Gargantua, father of Pantagruel, comprising 58 chapters. Book two: Pantagruel, king of the Dipsodes, returned to nature with his frightening deeds and prowess, with only 34 chapters. Book three: Of the heroic Special Data deeds and sayings of the good Pantagruel, which reaches 52 chapters. Book four: Of the heroic deeds and sayings of the good Pantagruel, with the sum of 67 chapters. Book five: Of the heroic deeds and sayings of the good Pantagruel, which is limited to 47 chapters. Each book is preceded by one or more prologues, and sometimes by poems. Some chapters themselves are written completely in verse.
When I see monumental works like this, which is not the only one I own, it makes me want to ask two questions: Is there still a writer in the world today capable of producing works of this level? Is there still a publisher in today's world willing to publish them? Why were such extensive works once written? Why did we once have so much to say? If we consider that at that time computers that facilitate and speed up writing did not exist, how much time and dedication did works like this require? Sooner or later I will decide to read this gargantuan book. It will be a gargantuan, intense, long and, from what I understand, fun read.
It is divided into five books: Book One: The very horrifying life of the great Gargantua, father of Pantagruel, comprising 58 chapters. Book two: Pantagruel, king of the Dipsodes, returned to nature with his frightening deeds and prowess, with only 34 chapters. Book three: Of the heroic Special Data deeds and sayings of the good Pantagruel, which reaches 52 chapters. Book four: Of the heroic deeds and sayings of the good Pantagruel, with the sum of 67 chapters. Book five: Of the heroic deeds and sayings of the good Pantagruel, which is limited to 47 chapters. Each book is preceded by one or more prologues, and sometimes by poems. Some chapters themselves are written completely in verse.
When I see monumental works like this, which is not the only one I own, it makes me want to ask two questions: Is there still a writer in the world today capable of producing works of this level? Is there still a publisher in today's world willing to publish them? Why were such extensive works once written? Why did we once have so much to say? If we consider that at that time computers that facilitate and speed up writing did not exist, how much time and dedication did works like this require? Sooner or later I will decide to read this gargantuan book. It will be a gargantuan, intense, long and, from what I understand, fun read.
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