Gargantua and Pantagruel

By: François Rabelais

Narrated by: Bill Homewood

"Most noble and illustrious drinkers..." Thus begins Gargantua and Pantagruel, a grotesque and carnivalesque collection of exuberant, fantastical stories that takes us from the ancient world through to the European Renaissance. At the heart of these tall tales are the giant Gargantua and his equally seismic son, Pantagruel. Containing magical adventures, maniacal punning, slapstick humor, erudite allusions, and just about any bodily function one can think of, here is quite possibly the zaniest, most risqué book ever written.

Featuring the original translation by Urquhart and Motteaux - celebrated for its fluidity and playfulness.

Bill Homewood gives a virtuosic and delightfully exuberant reading of this extraordinary text - "a narrator so perfectly matched to his material that you can't help but smile." [The Times (London)]

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2016 Naxos AudioBooks

Well performed, a must read

A masterpiece perfectly read. Rabelais is the 16th century Pynchon for me. I highly recommend. The narration is perfect.

Tall tales and satire from the 16th Century

Written from 1532 to 1564, Gargantua and Pantagruel consists of 5 books is commonly gathered in one very large volume--as it is here. This is one of the earliest European works. Rabelais' name became an adjective for earthy, gross, vulgar, hedonistic humor. Indeed, I heard more varying descriptions of genitals, sex, arseholes, sh!t, p!ss, & farts than any book I've read. Yet it's witty; and skewers politics, religion, & war. Gargantua & Pantagruel themselves are giant, Paul Bunyanesqe figures.
Bill Homewood brings it all vividly to life.
As I was reading Gargantua and Pantagruel, I was taking notes. The language is amazing. A million ideas for period fantasy-- I bought a physical copy of the book as well and think it belongs on a fantasy writer's shelf along with Tolkien, Howard, Dunsany, Dumas, and Leiber.

Relentless, but repays diligence

What made the experience of listening to Gargantua and Pantagruel the most enjoyable?

by all means, google image Gustav Dore's illustrations to go with this title

What was one of the most memorable moments of Gargantua and Pantagruel?

the ode to drinking is worth the price of the whole audiobook, assuming you are a lover of the devils brew

What about Bill Homewood’s performance did you like?

Hard to imagine another audible reader doing justice to Rabelais

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is all that I can say about this very very funny masterpiece. Must read.

Best narrator ever

It's the classic in all its glory. I've finished 250+ books on Audible and this is the best narration I've heard, bar none.