Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
84th out of 103 books
—
5 voters
The Anatomist
A lyrically written, sensual, and extraordinarily enjoyable novel in which a Renaissance anatomist's astonishing discovery forever changes the female erotic universe.
In sixteenth-centruy Venice, celebrated physician Mateo Colombo finds himself behind bars at the behest of the Church authorities. His is a crime of disclosure, heinous and heretical in the Church's eyes, in
...moreHardcover, 224 pages
Published
September 1st 1998
by Doubleday
(first published January 1st 1997)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
986)
Something to ponder about for philosophers or theologians, however antiquated. Definitely not something modern day anatomists or doctors should emulate, believe nor regress into. It's quite sexist but the setting was centuries ago so that's a bit understandable.
Gives you a feeling of being a bit violated too since the protagonist is male. And it's interesting how prostitution is both a source of feminine power and shame at the same time.
Written well enough. I somehow just got lost in the philos...more
Gives you a feeling of being a bit violated too since the protagonist is male. And it's interesting how prostitution is both a source of feminine power and shame at the same time.
Written well enough. I somehow just got lost in the philos...more
Mar 31, 2013
Rand
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
clitoral realists
Recommended to Rand by:
fate
Ah, historical-literary-medical-religious smut. Quite possibly the most engrossing example of this odd little genreyet. Balanced, even. Tidy.
(view spoiler)...more
(view spoiler)...more
I originally picked up this book after getting on a Renaissance kick, plus I liked that it was part gender history/religion/sexuality. It was a very odd book. I definitely varied between thinking it was genius and total crap. Some things may be lost in translation, but it was frustrating how the author left so many loose ends.
The story is based off the real-life character of Mateo Realdo (Renaldo in the book) Colombo, who is apparently not related to the famous Columbus, but did discover his ow...more
The story is based off the real-life character of Mateo Realdo (Renaldo in the book) Colombo, who is apparently not related to the famous Columbus, but did discover his ow...more
Sep 05, 2007
Asia
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people who like the historical views of anatomy
This book was a small jewel of anatomical and historical reference. With intrigue and drama the author incases a brilliant treaty of 16th century philosophical/anatomical thought in a gripping love story. If you appreciate and are interested in the way anatomists thought during the 16th century then this is a book you will enjoy.
view 1 comment
Excelente libro! Me llevo a la espera de un final y fue inesperado. Junto con una filosofía muy diferente de lo que pensamos y sabemos hoy en día.
Pero que sin duda alguna nos damos cuenta que la mujer antes y ahora siempre jugara un papel importante al hablarse de amor, sexo y pasión!
Pero que sin duda alguna nos damos cuenta que la mujer antes y ahora siempre jugara un papel importante al hablarse de amor, sexo y pasión!
Ο Ματέο Κολόν, ανατόμος της Αναγένννησης (υπαρκτό πρόσωπο) ερωτεύεται μία πόρνη και για να κερδίσει τον έρωτα της προσπαθεί να ανακαλύψει κάποιο είδος φίλτρου.
Μέσω μιας άλλης γυναίκας, ανακαλύπτει την "amor veneris". Το ανατομικό στοιχείο της κλειτορίδας, που ως τότε ήταν άγνωστο στη Δύση.
Όταν όμως επιχειρει να δημοσιοποιήσει την ανακάλυψη του, βρίσκεται αντιμέτωπος με την Ιερά Εξέταση.
Η επιχειρηματολογία που αναπτύσσεται και από τις δύο πλευρές, στο δικαστήριο, αποκαλύπτει την άγνοια και τη δει...more
Μέσω μιας άλλης γυναίκας, ανακαλύπτει την "amor veneris". Το ανατομικό στοιχείο της κλειτορίδας, που ως τότε ήταν άγνωστο στη Δύση.
Όταν όμως επιχειρει να δημοσιοποιήσει την ανακάλυψη του, βρίσκεται αντιμέτωπος με την Ιερά Εξέταση.
Η επιχειρηματολογία που αναπτύσσεται και από τις δύο πλευρές, στο δικαστήριο, αποκαλύπτει την άγνοια και τη δει...more
Usando una expresión muy de mi círculo de amigos ¡este libro es una falta de respeto! Y no por malo, no juzguen mal, sino porque a veces resulta injusto que entre tanto libro malo solo unos pocos tengan la capacidad de escribir como lo hace este señor que debo decir, se me ha metido en el corazón como uno de mis escritores favoritos.
Como en Las Piadosas, El Anatomista (que fue antes) es una novela con descripciones fascinantes, usos del lenguaje muy originales, imágenes nuevas y personajes (¡qué...more
Como en Las Piadosas, El Anatomista (que fue antes) es una novela con descripciones fascinantes, usos del lenguaje muy originales, imágenes nuevas y personajes (¡qué...more
Jul 18, 2012
Katsumi
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
romance-erotic-affairs
This novel is nicely done--deserving of more credit than many reviewers here have given it. It is in part a love story, in part an exploration of sexual repression and religious intolerance of science, in part a comic look at how men have historically been mystified by the female body (and, for that matter, by women). The linkage of clitoral stimulation to witchcraft seemed plausible to me as a 16th century viewpoint, and in any event was quite funny. In addition I thought it was tastefully erot...more
After reading some of the reviews, I say "don't shoot the messenger". The author has obviously, very much so, written the book to expose the sexist, complicit attitude of the church and society regarding women firstly, and their sexuality, secondly. A really good account of attitudes then and reasonably well written. The characters are only symbolic of those that existed at the time. A good attempt at fictionalising the attitudes of the Renaissance and prior. Put modern day sensibilities away wh...more
The writing is luscious in its descriptiveness. The writer, from Argentina, seems to have the same fluidity as a number of other excellent writers from there.
The Anatomist, Mateo Colombo, in his research at celebrates Venetian institution "finds" the clitoris. His "research" is documented in his treatise "De re anatomica" delivers him in front of the Catholic Church for heresy.
A must read at times witty, tragic and absolutely humorous.
The Anatomist, Mateo Colombo, in his research at celebrates Venetian institution "finds" the clitoris. His "research" is documented in his treatise "De re anatomica" delivers him in front of the Catholic Church for heresy.
A must read at times witty, tragic and absolutely humorous.
I can see what all the fuss and scandal surrounding this book was about. I give Andahazi credit for writing in the persona of Colombo because it seems a little daring, given that his protagonist thinks the way a man of the 16th Century thinks. Like others, I wasn't a big fan of the trial. It seemed like Andahazi let the novel formula go, in favour of a more clinical non-fiction approach to the trial. A thought provoking ending that will leave readers postulating long after reading it.
The only adjective I can pick for describing this book....it's weird. It's disturbing and weird. I am not am puritan - that you can trust me on, so it has absolutely nothing to do with the sexual content within it...it as just disturbing in it's very essence. A good read for a see shore (that's exactly how I did it)..but if you're seeking a serious piece of a good quality literature - not the right pick.
Siempre me ha encantado el "surrealismo" de Andahazi, pero este libro lo hace ver tan real y se incorpora en el pensamiento del siglo XVIII de una forma tan creíble que me rompió los esquemas que conocía del autor, en ese sentido... porque su enganche con temas sexuales y su locura para narrarlos es fascinante. Además para mí tiene el plus de los años que duré para conseguirlo.
A story of monastic life that rivals Eco's 'Name of the Rose' and explores the repression by the church that prevented monks from conducting autopsies in the name of science. The monks at the time did the work by going to the black market. It was then that a certain monk discovered the clitoris and was condemned for his illegal activities (though my sense is many women made the discovery prior to him).
I must say it is a good read. The line separating the facts and his fictions is somehow blurry. Making you think which is which. Good plot and good ending. His descriptiveness made me felt walking on 16th century roads in Italy. It also helped that I understand anatomy if so, I wouldn't bother finishing the book out of lassitude understanding it.
Little tale about an Italian researcher who "discovered" the clitoris and the troubles he got into with the Church because of it. As a straight narrative it was a bit light, but it has some deeper things to say about censorship and medieval philosophy. Tries hard. Rated M for adult themes, medical procedures, sexual references. 2.5/5
Най-точното определение за тази книга аворът Андахази дава в едно интервю: "построявам мост между света на медицината и света на философията". И наистина, аз не възприех книгата като еротична. Eкспериментът се усеща във всяка страница, но експеримент не в дилетантския смисъл, а в смисъла на тайнството, което ражда откривателската страст
I read a lot of bizarre books and am fascinated by medical discoveries and fallacies in the Renaissance, so the fact that I want to give this book only 2-3 stars is not a good sign. It's certainly daring and intriguing, but the sexuality and sexism (which, yes, largely come with the territory) become especially tiring when presented in a style that is sometimes repetitive and overblown. (A brief example: Andahazi ruins a perfectly poetic section about the rain by going on too long and ending wit...more
El primer libro de Andahazi que leí. Cuando Mateo Colón, anatomista, descubre el secreto femenino en ese pequeño universo que después se llamaría "clítoris", el autor te atrapa y evita a toda costa que abandones la lectura. Uno de mis autores favoritos.
Basado en algunos hechos históricos, el autor crea esta novela alrededor del descubrimiento del clítoris por Mateo Colón. Este personaje exisitió y además de describir con mucho detalle el sistema circulatorio se atribuyó el crédito de "descubrir" el clítoris en la anatomía femenina. El autor traza un paralelo entre este Colón y su tocayo Cristóbal, quién "descubrió" América un siglo antes. Al intentar publicar su descubrimiento, Mateo se debe enfrentar a la santa inquisición. El autor hace buen...more
Hard to believe that a man could be persecuted for discovering the clitoris, (or is it?) A supposedly true account of the persecution faced by discoverers at the hands of the ignorant religious authorities during the middle ages in Italy.
Eh, not a bad read. But my dedication failed before I reached the end. The trial dragged on too much, and the characters never really grab you. Also, Andahazi repeats himself too much and Andahazi repeats himself too much.
It's been a few years since I read this, so my memory may be shaky. In the renaissance, a science dude discovers the clitoris. Women do not particularly benefit from the discovery. Some people are burned at the stake.
An excellent historical tale of the discovery of the clitoris, a discovery that almost lead to the Doctor being burnt at the stake. Very enjoyable.
52 Book Challenge - Author was born in Argentina
52 Book Challenge - Author was born in Argentina
Jul 26, 2011
Mary Newcomb
added it
Sly, witty and a bit dark are the first characteristics to list of this novel set during the Inquisition. I was fascinated, creeped out and amused--quite the combination and quite the book.
Mar 06, 2009
Leif Erik
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people who liked Name of the Rose
Shelves:
latin-american-lit
It's a great read albeit if you are familiar with Eco and Garcia Marquez you may find it rather deja vu-ish. Having said that Andahazi definately knows his way around a story.
Ahí no más. Mucha repetición de frases hechas, entretenido sin embargo y con una documentación interesante. Sobre todo buena onda para leer en los días de semana santa.
A little known historical topic...the discovery of the clitoris! quite enjoyable. But at the ending, the author did a good job of depressing me.
what a great read!the journey and celebration of the "new found" female penis is truly a tale to remember.
Jan 11, 2011
Eduardo Ferreira
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
romances-latinos
esse argentino manda muito. um puta retrato da renascença com direito a sininhos mágicos rere
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Federico Andahazi is the son of Bela Andahazi, Hungarian poet and psychoanalyst, and Juana Merlín. During his adolescence, he began to read the classical Argentine and universal authors. He used to escape from school, that reflected the oppressive military dictatorship ruler, to meet with friends in bookstores and bars on Corrientes Avenue, emblematic place of Buenos Aires culture.
It was at this...more
More about Federico Andahazi...
It was at this...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“¿Qué sucedería si las hijas de Eva descubrieran que llevan en el medio de las piernas las llaves del cielo y del infierno?”
—
4 people liked it
More quotes…
