Rabelais's book consists of five books. The first is Gargantua, and the other four Pantagruel. The full title is: The very horrifying life of the great Gargantua, father of Pantagruel. Formerly composed by Mr. Alcofribas abstract of essence essence. Full book of Pantagruellism, or more simply Gargantua. Gargantua was written after Pantagruel but placed first by Rabelais. Grandgousier, Gargantua, Pantagruel are kings and giants who rule in Utopia, near Chinon, in Touraine. Such is the scene of the scene. As for action, it is impossible to follow; The author introduces his characters into life, recounts their childhood, makes the trial of the education which was given of his time; Then he sows, according to his fancy, the most diverse episodes, the digressions and the most burlesque. We shall not follow Grandgousier in all his peregrinations; We shall relate in this history only what is likely to make us appreciate in Rabelais the serious thinker who is ahead of his century. Grandgousier is a peaceful king, good and dear to his subjects. He is attacked, in defiance of all right, by King Picrochole. The King of Utopia, having exhausted all means of preserving peace, is obliged to have recourse to arms. Picrochole invaded the kingdom of Grandgousier, ravaged a whole country; But he is stopped in his course, beaten, and runs away, followed scarcely by a few companions. However, the conqueror, far from abusing his victory, respects the enemy's territory and restores freedom to the prisoners without ransom. This trait was a protest against the horrors and injustices of war.
About the Author: Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty ( also Urchard; 1611-1660) was a Scottish writer and translator, most famous for his translation of Rabelais. Urquhart was born to an old landholding family in Cromarty in northern Scotland. At the age of eleven he attended King's College, University of Aberdeen. Afterwards he toured the Continent, returning in 1636. In 1639, he participated in the Royalist uprising known as the Trot of Turriff; he was knighted by Charles I at Whitehall for his support. In 1641 he published his first book, a volume of epigrams. Urquhart's father died in 1642, leaving behind a large estate encumbered by larger debts. As the eldest son, Urquhart was from that time on harassed by creditors. He left for the Continent in order to economize, but returned in 1645 and published Trissotetras, a mathematical treatise. In 1648, Urquhart participated in the Royalist uprising at Inverness. He was declared a traitor by Parliament, though he doesn't seem to have suffered any other consequences. Two years later he marched with Charles II and fought in the Battle of Worcester. The Royalist forces were decisively defeated and Urquhart was taken prisoner. He lost all his manuscripts, which he had brought with him for safekeeping, and he had to forfeit all his property. He was held first at the Tower of London and later at Windsor, but he was given considerable freedom by his captors. The following year he published Pantochronachanon, a work of genealogy, and The Jewel, a defense of Scotland. In 1652, he was paroled by Cromwell and returned to Cromarty. Soon after he published Logopandecteision, his plan for a universal language, and his most celebrated work, his translation of Rabelais. Peter Anthony Motteux (25 February 1663 - 18 February 1718), born Pierre Antoine Motteux, was an English author, playwright, and translator. Motteux was a significant figure in the evolution of English journalism in his era, as the publisher and editor of The Gentleman's Journal, "the first English magazine," from 1692 to 1694. A native of Rouen, he was a French Huguenot who came to England in 1685 after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. At first he lived with his godfather, Paul Dominique, and made his living as an auctioneer; by 1706 he maintained a shop in Leadenhall Street, selling imports from China, Japan, and India, and (in his own words) "silks, lace, linens, pictures, and other goods." He also held a position with the Post Office.