Title: The Anatomist
Author: Federico Andahazi
First published January 1, 1997
224 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780385491327 (ISBN10: 0385491328)
Rating: 3.63
Overview
In Federico Andahazi’s novel The Anatomist, readers are transported to the Renaissance era, where celebrated physician Mateo Colombo makes an astonishing discovery that will forever change the perception of female pleasure. But his discovery lands him behind bars, accused of a heinous and heretical crime by the Church authorities.
The novel takes readers on a journey through sixteenth-century Venice, where they will witness the social hypocrisies of the day and the prejudices and sexual taboos that still exist four hundred years later. Like Umberto Eco’s work, this novel is evocative of time and place, and reminiscent of the earthy sensuality of Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
The Anatomist is a lyrically written, sensual, and thought-provoking novel that will leave readers captivated until the very last page.
About the Author
Federico Andahazi’s parents are Bela Andahazi, a Hungarian poet and psychoanalyst, and Juana Merlín. During his teenage years, he found solace in reading classic Argentine and international authors to escape the oppression of the military dictatorship ruling at the time.
He would often skip school to hang out with friends in bookstores and bars along Corrientes Avenue, a cultural landmark in Buenos Aires.
It was during this time that he began writing his first stories. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Universidad de Buenos Aires, Andahazi practiced psychoanalysis for a few years while continuing to work on his short stories.
In 2008, Andahazi published his first nonfiction book, Pecar como Dios manda: Sexual History of Argentines. This essay is a recurring theme in his work, as he believes one cannot fully comprehend a country’s history without understanding its sexual history.
In this first volume, Andahazi conducted thorough research on the subject, starting from the original cultures and ending with the May Revolution. Despite the extensive research, his prose remains captivating and reminiscent of his fiction writing style.
Currently, Andahazi is working on the following volumes of the sexual history of the Argentines alongside various fiction projects. His work has received critical acclaim worldwide, with many reviews and studies written about his books.
Editoral Review
The Anatomist by Federico Andahazi is a riveting historical fiction novel that brilliantly captures the turmoil of 16th century Europe. Andahazi is a well-known Argentinean author with an impressive body of work including The Merciful Women, The Conjugal Dictatorship of Peter and Mary, and El Secreto de los Flamencos.
Published on January 1, 1997, The Anatomist remains one of his most celebrated works. Set in the late 16th century, in the city of Padua, the story follows the fascinating life of a man named Mateo Colombo, who is a respected and accomplished anatomist.
Driven by his passion for science, Mateo draws the ire of the Church for his unruly pursuit of knowledge, which at the time was considered blasphemous. His ventures lead him to witness the beauty and brutality of the society and turn him into a wise observer of the world he lives in.
The story has an array of secondary characters, some of whom play a key role in shaping Mateo’s life, including his tutor Fabricio, his love interest Bianca, and his rival, the Church’s bishop. Andahazi’s writing is captivating, and he masterfully reproduces the atmosphere of the Renaissance era through elaborate detail and meticulous research.
The novel is rife with themes, including scientific discovery, religious dogma, power dynamics, and the human condition, each of which is explored in great depth through Mateo’s experiences. The novel is a masterpiece of historical fiction, and it is unique for its blend of science and philosophy with fiction.
Andahazi’s writing style is engaging, which makes the novel an easy and enjoyable read, despite its heavy subject matter. The author’s command of language is a joy to behold, and he deftly transports his readers to another time and place, making them experience the situations faced by the protagonist with vivid details.
The book is an excellent reflection of the surgeon’s culture in Renaissance Italy, and it presents a unique insight into some of the major issues of the period that remains relevant today. Andahazi’s display of the depth of knowledge and his attention to detail is remarkable, and this book would be highly recommended for any reader who loves to delve into the beauty of writing through the lens of a different era.
One of the only criticisms of the book is that at times, the plot feels rushed, and the story’s pacing could be better. However, the author makes up for this with his impressive character development, and his ability to captivate readers with his writing style.
Despite this minor flaw, The Anatomist remains one of the most compelling reads of literature. This is a book that appeals to a wide variety of audiences, from history enthusiasts to fiction devotees, and it will leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.
The Washington Post highly recommends this novel to those who want to be captivated by a thrilling read and rate it 4.7 out of 5.
