Let's be clear from the start: if you're looking for a novel with a clear plot, a main character, and a three-act structure, you've come to the wrong Renaissance banquet. Le moyen de parvenir is something else entirely. Written in the early 1600s by the wonderfully eccentric Béroalde de Verville, this book is the second part of a three-volume work that defies easy description.

The Story

The 'story' is a fictional symposium—a giant, chaotic dinner party that never seems to end. A huge cast of characters, from famous historical figures to invented commoners, gathers to eat, drink, and most importantly, talk. They don't follow one topic. Instead, their conversation jumps from philosophy to science, from dirty jokes to moral lessons, from satire to sincere advice. One moment they're debating the nature of truth, the next they're sharing an absurd anecdote about a miser or a foolish lover. There's no central plot driving things forward. The momentum comes from the clash of ideas and personalities around the table.

Why You Should Read It

You read this book for the vibe and the voice. Béroalde de Verville had a brilliant, restless mind, and this book feels like being inside his head. He's making fun of pompous scholars, questioning everything people took for granted, and celebrating the kind of knowledge you don't get from textbooks. It's wisdom found in laughter, in failure, and in the messy reality of human interaction. The characters aren't developed in a modern sense, but their voices are sharp and distinct. Reading it feels less like following a narrative and more like eavesdropping on the most interesting, unpredictable conversation you could imagine.

Final Verdict

This book is not for everyone. It's dense, allusive, and deliberately fragmented. But if you're a reader who enjoys diving into historical mindsets, who loves Montaigne's essays or the playful chaos of Rabelais, you'll find a treasure here. It's perfect for lovers of Renaissance thought, fans of unconventional narrative structures, and anyone who believes that sometimes the deepest truths are hidden in a good story told over a glass of wine. Approach it not as a story to be solved, but as an experience to be savored, one bizarre, brilliant snippet at a time.