Rabelais

I'm looking at a Rabelais book online; and it costs a pretty penny; and all my pennies are dear: so I was wondering if any of you good people have read him and could advise?

Worth it?

If it's "Gargantua and Pantagruel" then it is fairly widely available in English. I have the Penguin Classics edition - translated by Screech. I think it's pretty good, and a great price (as Penguin tends to be). It's well suited for a newcomer to Rabelais

Now, if you are looking for a more rare work, that's where you will start to pay the pretty penny

I read, uh, 2/3 of a really famous critical book called Rabelais and his World, which made me think I'd really like Gargantua and Pantagruel themselves. But I didn't. The humour seemed more cruel and frat-boy like than anarchic. There were great passages here and there but the prevailing personality (at least in the translation I had) really rubbed me the wrong way. I'd say skip it. Read Henry IV again.

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Originally Posted by Stewed

I read, uh, 2/3 of a really famous critical book called Rabelais and his World, which made me think I'd really like Gargantua and Pantagruel themselves. But I didn't. The humour seemed more cruel and frat-boy like than anarchic. There were great passages here and there but the prevailing personality (at least in the translation I had) really rubbed me the wrong way. I'd say skip it. Read Henry IV again.

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Two questions:

1. Did you read the Urquhart translation - because what you describe seems to fit that Urquhart translation (which should not be considered a fair representation of Rabelais)

2. Which Henry IV?

Thanks fellows. Made me think twice anyway. For the best; I've got things to read as it is. Rabelais will be there.

and scatological references. None the less, no person can be considered well read without dipping into and enjoying this master of French literature.

My copy was translated by Jacque Le Clerc and printed by the Limited Editions Club in the 1930s. It was decorated and illustrated by W. a. Dwiggens in five volumes. It can be found in Fine condition for $125 -$150 which is a small price to pay for a classic work. This is only a little more than a month of cable tv.

My Penguin classic was translated by JM Cohen and was a cheap secondhand.

I really like his humour which often consists of long, mirthful lists. One memorable list is the one produced when Gargantua tests - in a parody of the scientific method - the best *ss wipe. After an extensive list - which includes various items of others' clothing, he settles on a goose's neck.

Hilarious - but then I'm a classically trained juvenile. (I'm not really - I'm not classically trained at all).

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Originally Posted by dfloyd

and scatological references. None the less, no person can be considered well read without dipping into and enjoying this master of French literature.

My copy was translated by Jacque Le Clerc and printed by the Limited Editions Club in the 1930s. It was decorated and illustrated by W. a. Dwiggens in five volumes. It can be found in Fine condition for $125 -$150 which is a small price to pay for a classic work. This is only a little more than a month of cable tv.

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Jesus, your cable bill is expensive, mine is 120 and covers TV, internet, and phone.

I would rather buy books and I hate tv.

Charles: I wish I could remember which translation it was; I sold it. I had the first Henry IV in mind. I liked both, thought the second was a bit depressing, and can't remember it as well as the first.

Maybe I'll check and see if my ex copy is still at the store. I'd like to think the translator botched it.