Des Monstres Et Prodiges ;Précédé De Des Animaux Et De L'excellence De L'homme ; Et Suivi Par Discours De La Licorne

by Ambroise Paré

Des animaux et de l’excellence de l’homme, Des monstres et prodiges et le Discours de la licorne forment un triptyque singulier. Catalogue merveilleux alliant l’insaisissable des rêves aux fulgurances de l’intelligence, il se décline en cabinet de curiosités où se côtoient diables et baleines, gueux et licornes, chiens en charité et éléphants révérencieux. Ambroise Paré, premier chirurgien du roi, grand explorateur du corps humain qui, en certains jours de sa vieillesse, désira tracer une cartographie des êtres, des plus humbles aux plus difformes, les considérants égaux comme œuvre de Dieu, à la fois parfaitement fabuleux et totalement frères.
96 illustrations (reprises des gravures de l'époque),

Genres: Monsters, Nonfiction, History, France, Historical, Medicine

283 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1573

About the author

Ambroise Paré was the official royal surgeon for the Henry II, Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III.

Reviews

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Jones turned me on to this one. Its a really interesting read, as Paré was chief surgeon to both Charles IX and Henri III. The book chronicles Paré's curiosity with "monsters and marvels," whether human anomalies (Siamese twins, various additional members, lacking arms/fingers etc.), various maladies, anomalies in nature, and the like. Its an interesting glimpse into the philosophical and scientific thinking of the 16th century. I especially enjoyed the long chapter on sea monsters and the Appendix on unicorns.

[harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly would 10/10 recommend to a friend. Ce livre était vraiment amusant, et m'a fait rire souvent. Les images étaient divertissantes et les mots étaient informants. Sometimes the language was interesting, and I am yet to solve the mystery of the 'farine' but overall the prose was clear (as expected for a barber surgeon who was creating a book of hybridity). Bizarre, odd, wild.

[Hannah Warren]

Absolutely wild historical account of monstrous births. Highly recommend for the joy of bonkers reading material.

[Alina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fascinating work, written by the father of modern surgery. Despite the sections on demonic possession, Ambroise Paré was a pretty open-minded person. And the edition is fantastic! Why don't more critical editions have the glossary in the footnotes rather than at the end of the book?

Des monstres et prodiges is a must-read for people interested in early-modern science. The most outlandish creatures are taken from the writings of Pliny. Early-modern scientists and physicians held on to false beliefs despite evidence to the contrary because they had great respect for the Ancients. There are sections in Des monstres et prodiges where Ambroise Paré attempts to reconcile new discoveries with ancient zoology and medicine.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

No me sirvió para casi nada pero es una lectura muy interesante. Me encantaron las ilustraciones.

[Kristen Luppino · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's fascinating to read and think about how things were portrayed in history. Fascinating.

[Aarron-Axe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un drôle d'opuscule, qui s'il est très anecdotique, est déjà assez étrange et amusant pour être regardé, mais témoigne surtout de la pensée "humaniste" et pieuse de son auteur.

[Preludes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time I do a history course I always end up buying some of the best books that I’ve used as keepsakes, but also for reference. Seeing As I was doing a dissertation on monsters, I ordered this as one of my primary sources and looking back over it I still love it.

Ambroise Pare was born about 1510 and his work is considered to be one of the most sustained attempts in the sixteenth century to ‘naturalize’ monsters. It was vitally important because it represents the transition that was happening in europe where monstrous births and other marvels were gradually moving into being regarded as a function of Nature rather than just God’s direct action in order to warn a sinning public. Collecting together many many different examples of deformed births and ‘monsters’, Pare chronicles them and comments on them, categorising them into causes and anecdotes such as those caused by the female imagination during conception, ‘excess of seed’ and the like. Furthermore in this book it drifts into other examples of his works, such as descriptions of exotic animals (now recognisable as toucans, giraffes, manatees and elephants) and the elusive search for the unicorn.

What is truly interesting and charming to me is that the entire book is just swimming in woodcut illustrations of each monster, which is especially endearing with regards to the exotic animals, and morbidly fascinating when it examples the deformed births.

Pare, as a writer (especially an early modern writer) is incredibly approachable and easy to read, keeping a level headed, interested yet mostly neutral approach to his subject matter, and really allows you access into the early modern world view. The translator, Janis L Pallister, also does a fantastic job of bringing Pare’s text to a modern audience with his detailed and engaging introduction and his helpful notes throughout.

The book is also quite small and the paperback, while it looks a little cheap, is flexible and nicely but together for slipping into your bag. The printing/page quality is crisp and clear too.
I recommend this for anyone interested in history, especially the history of science, medicine or the weird and wonderful. It’s certainly a favourite in my collection of history books.

[Mark Bratkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave me an interesting perspective about how people in the 16th century viewed birth defects and monstrous creatures. I loved the pictures that were included, but couldn't help thinking that most were exaggerated. There is probably no practical reason to pick up this book unless you are interested in early medical science or realistic explanations for monsters. It is not the easiest book to read even though it's only about 180 pages and has many pictures. I'm glad I made it through the book though.

[Oscar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating historical document. Through Pare's writing, we can see how the idea of "monsters" was defined as a supernatural and scientific concept. Normal birth defects were explained as an act of God, while strange, fictional creatures were assumed to be real and somehow caused by getting hurt in the womb. Excellent insight into the mind of 1500s scientists from. The text can be dry, but worth taking a look.

[Gemma]

A really interesting insight to Renaissance period's beliefs about natural deformities, gender, sex, etc. Read as part of a module about sex, gender, and identity, so the second half of the book (about demonic possession and other monsters) wasn't too relevant but still quite interesting! I found the description of the spirits in the mines particularly eerie. Would recommend, it's a fairly easy read (even in French).

[Celeste Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a translation from the 17th-century French original. Pare describes all kinds of strange curiosities--such as the woman who give birth to a hundred children at once, or people who changed into animals, or people with horns. Some are medical conditions, some are hoaxes, and some are simply rumors, but it's fascinating stuff.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, insightful look into perceptions of monsters, marvels, and deformities. Blending "scientific" observation with religious morals, this is a very readable text that's a must for anyone who wants a bit more background of the history of science and some fantastical creatures of the imagination, the earth, sea, sky, and celestial sphere.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting, and great pictures! Became very repetitive, though, after the first 100 pages or so.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

[Lulu]

1573