The Histories of Gargantua and Pantagruel [Hardcover] Francois Rabelais

Description

1982 Franklin Library edition with similar cover, but with a slightly different design with gold embossing. Background color is still maroon. Hardcover has some minor wear along the sides, scuffs and marks. Spine has some wear on the top and bottom. Gold pages are clean. Binding is loose on one side of the cover but is secure for the pages and rear cover.

This Franklin Library edition of Francois Rabelais’ seminal work “The Histories of Gargantua and Pantagruel” is a true gem for collectors and readers alike. Published in the 16th century, Rabelais’ satirical masterpiece is considered one of the most influential works of Renaissance literature, renowned for its bawdy humor, scathing social commentary, and linguistic innovation.

This particular copy, with its maroon hardcover and gold embossing, captures the opulent aesthetic of the Franklin Library’s renowned leather-bound classics. While showing some signs of age and wear, the book’s gold-gilded pages remain pristine, a testament to its enduring quality. The loosened binding on one side adds a touch of character, hinting at the countless readers who have delighted in Rabelais’ raucous tales over the centuries.

Beyond its physical attributes, this edition offers a portal into the vibrant intellectual and cultural milieu of Renaissance France, where Rabelais’ sharp wit and bold critiques of religious hypocrisy and academic pedantry struck a chord with humanist thinkers. His larger-than-life protagonists, Gargantua and Pantagruel, embodied the Renaissance ideals of curiosity, learning, and joie de vivre, making this work a true classic for those seeking both literary escapism and profound social commentary.