Gargantua and Pantagruel, Book I


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The Life of Gargantua and of Pantagruel (in French, La vie de Gargantua et de Pantagruel) is a connected series of five novels written in the 16th century by François Rabelais. It is the story of two giants, a father (Gargantua) and his son (Pantagruel) and their adventures, written in an amusing, extravagant, satirical vein. There is much crudity and scatological humor as well as a large amount of violence. Long lists of vulgar insults fill several chapters.(Summary by Wikipedia)

Chapters

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Poems and Prologue 26:57 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.I.—Of the Genealogy and Antiquity of Gargantua 8:14 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.II.—-The Antidoted Fanfreluches: or, a Galimatia of extravagant Conceits found in an ancient Monument 10:05 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.III.—How Gargantua was carried eleven months in his mother's belly 8:52 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.IV.—-How Gargamelle, being great with Gargantua, did eat a huge deal of tripes 4:11 Read by Examinfo
Chapter 1.V.—The Discourse of the Drinkers 11:23 Read by Examinfo
Chapter 1.VI.—How Gargantua was born in a strange manner 7:52 Read by Examinfo
Chapter 1.VII.—After what manner Gargantua had his name given him, and how he tippled, bibbed, and curried the can 3:35 Read by undergroundrailroad
Chapter 1.VIII.—How they apparelled Gargantua 7:31 Read by undergroundrailroad
Chapter 1.IX.—The colours and liveries of Gargantua 4:57 Read by madmouth
Chapter 1.X.—Of that which is signified by the colours white and blue 9:01 Read by Kalynda
Chapter 1.XI.—Of the youthful age of Gargantua 6:05 Read by Kalynda
Chapter 1.XII.—Of Gargantua's wooden horses 5:36 Read by Kalynda
Chapter 1.XIII.—How Gargantua's wonderful understanding became known to his father Grangousier, by the invention of a torchecul or wipebreech 11:15 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.XIV.—How Gargantua was taught Latin by a Sophister 4:40 Read by mpinedag
Chapter 1.XV.—How Gargantua was put under other schoolmasters 4:41 Read by mpinedag
Chapter 1.XVI.—How Gargantua was sent to Paris, and of the huge great mare that he rode on; how she destroyed the oxflies of the Beauce 4:27 Read by mpinedag
Chapter 1.XVII.—How Gargantua paid his welcome to the Parisians, and how he took away the great bells of Our Lady's Church 7:43 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.XVIII.—How Janotus de Bragmardo was sent to Gargantua to recover the great bells 3:56 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.XIX.—The oration of Master Janotus de Bragmardo for recovery of the bells 8:44 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.XX.—How the Sophister carried away his cloth, and how he had a suit in law against the other masters 10:45 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.XXI.—The study of Gargantua, according to the discipline of his schoolmasters the Sophisters 5:30 Read by Richard Wallis
Chapter 1.XXII.—The games of Gargantua 7:25 Read by Richard Wallis
Chapter 1.XXIII.—How Gargantua was instructed by Ponocrates, and in such sort disciplinated, that he lost not one hour of the day 14:31 Read by Richard Wallis
Chapter 1.XXIV.—How Gargantua spent his time in rainy weather 4:53 Read by Humer
Chapter 1.XXV.—How there was great strife and debate raised betwixt the cake-bakers of Lerne, and those of Gargantua's country, whereupon were waged great wars 6:19 Read by Nadine Eckert-Boulet
Chapter 1.XXVI.—How the inhabitants of Lerne, by the commandment of Picrochole their king, assaulted the shepherds of Gargantua unexpectedly and on a sudden 4:35 Read by Nadine Eckert-Boulet
Chapter 1.XXVII.—How a monk of Seville saved the close of the abbey from being ransacked by the enemy 18:07 Read by Examinfo
Chapter 1.XXVIII.—How Picrochole stormed and took by assault the rock Clermond, and of Grangousier's unwillingness and aversion from the undertaking of war 6:58 Read by Examinfo
Chapter 1.XXIX.—The tenour of the letter which Grangousier wrote to his son Gargantua 3:45 Read by Examinfo
Chapter 1.XXX.—How Ulric Gallet was sent unto Picrochole 2:26 Read by Examinfo
Chapter 1.XXXI.—The speech made by Gallet to Picrochole 11:26 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.XXXII.—How Grangousier, to buy peace, caused the cakes to be restored 11:21 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.XXXIII.—How some statesmen of Picrochole, by hairbrained counsel, put him in extreme danger 16:00 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.XXXIV.—How Gargantua left the city of Paris to succour his country, and how Gymnast encountered with the enemy 5:00 Read by Nadine Eckert-Boulet
Chapter 1.XXXV.—How Gymnast very souply and cunningly killed Captain Tripet and others of Picrochole's men 5:53 Read by Nadine Eckert-Boulet
Chapter 1.XXXVI.—How Gargantua demolished the castle at the ford of Vede, and how they passed the ford 5:22 Read by Nadine Eckert-Boulet
Chapter 1.XXXVII.—How Gargantua, in combing his head, made the great cannon-balls fall out of his hair 4:32 Read by Jessamy Gloor
Chapter 1.XXXVIII.—How Gargantua did eat up six pilgrims in a salad 5:16 Read by Daniel Watkins
Chapter 1.XXXIX.—How the Monk was feasted by Gargantua, and of the jovial discourse they had at supper 13:10 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.XL.—Why monks are the outcasts of the world; and wherefore some have bigger noses than others 6:21 Read by Kalynda
Chapter 1.XLI.—How the Monk made Gargantua sleep, and of his hours and breviaries 4:51 Read by Kalynda
Chapter 1.XLII.—How the Monk encouraged his fellow-champions, and how he hanged upon a tree 4:56 Read by Kalynda
Chapter 1.XLIII.—How the scouts and fore-party of Picrochole were met with by Gargantua, and how the Monk slew Captain Drawforth (Tirevant.), and then was taken prisoner by his enemies 7:46 Read by Chris Caron
Chapter 1.XLIV.—How the Monk rid himself of his keepers, and how Picrochole's forlorn hope was defeated 5:42 Read by Mark Penfold
Chapter 1.XLV.—How the Monk carried along with him the Pilgrims, and of the good words that Grangousier gave them 7:01 Read by mevans
Chapter 1.XLVI.—How Grangousier did very kindly entertain Touchfaucet his prisoner 6:20 Read by Mark Penfold
Chapter 1.XLVII.—How Grangousier sent for his legions, and how Touchfaucet slew Rashcalf, and was afterwards executed by the command of Picrochole 7:12 Read by Mark Penfold
Chapter 1.XLVIII.—How Gargantua set upon Picrochole within the rock Clermond, and utterly defeated the army of the said Picrochole 9:57 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.XLIX.—How Picrochole in his flight fell into great misfortunes, and what Gargantua did after the battle 3:44 Read by Ezwa
Chapter 1.L.—Gargantua's speech to the vanquished 14:48 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.LI.—How the victorious Gargantuists were recompensed after the battle 4:20 Read by Ezwa
Chapter 1.LII.—How Gargantua caused to be built for the Monk the Abbey of Theleme 7:27 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.LIII.—How the abbey of the Thelemites was built and endowed 7:47 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.LIV.—The inscription set upon the great gate of Theleme 9:06 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.LV.—What manner of dwelling the Thelemites had 6:40 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.LVI.—How the men and women of the religious order of Theleme were apparelled 10:35 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.LVII.—How the Thelemites were governed, and of their manner of living 6:02 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 1.LVIII.—A prophetical Riddle 8:19 Read by Alan Davis Drake (1945-2010)

Reviews


(5 stars)

Martin Geeson is the perfect reader for this classic grotesque satire. Simply a joy to listen to!

Warning


(5 stars)

Expert-level material for gnostic scholars and super-secret wizards. Listener beware: Martin Geeson's reading is so above and beyond excellent as to make the other sections near-impossible to enjoy. Not that you should HAVE to enjoy books such as this...