A word on Gargantua
The author of this short piece has not yet finished Bakhtins full analysis of Rabelais and she has also not read any other such analysis of Rabelais, that is Gargantua, the text to which this entry will be dedicated. Maybe later. This is just to say: It’s very enjoyable (Gargantua) that is and I am almost inclined to say that I wish I was a giant. Yes, to ride on a horse that could stomp out Steglitzer Stadtpark in a second. To piss all over Paris and have citizens drown, I mean float around in a liquid much less questionable than that of any “normal” sized citizen since all Gargantua drinks is wine and doesn’t that purify and demystify for ever and all? It’s probably (maybe!) the funniest thing I’ve read that was written in or before the 16th century. The German translation is (in my humble opinion) very agreeably, very lovely. Done by Engelbert Hegaur and Dr. Owlglass. There is illustrations in the edition I own and if copyright allows you might be marveling at some right now or in a second. What else does a review need? It is “late” and I am hungry so I would prefer not to analyze right now (maybe in a second part). If you’re easily disgusted, then maybe this book isn’t for you (or if your imagination is simply too colorful, too ripe). Take this chapter title as a warning that’s not really a warning: Wie Grandgosier die Geisteskraft Gargantuas bei Erfindung eines Arschwisches kennenlernte. New word constructions are not sparse and I now wish that I had noted some down. Simply read it and you will know. I wonder how the French, the original compares. If there’s any Frenchperson reading, please do tell!
01.04.2024