De anatoom

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"O my America, my new-found-land!" might echo in the thoughts of Mateo Renaldo Colombo, the anatomist whose discoveries parallel those of Christopher Columbus. Federico Andahazi's novel presents both Colombos as figures of significant and unsettling revelations. While Columbus's discoveries are well-known, Mateo's is less familiar: he uncovered the clitoris, which he refers to as the Amor Veneris. This discovery is portrayed as an epic, yet it carries an elegiac tone, as Mateo, much like Christopher, claims dominion over the female body. This irony resonates with women readers, akin to how Native Americans view Columbus's claims to their land. The narrative follows Mateo, whose desire for the courtesan Mona Sofia leads him to heartbreak and financial ruin. Upon returning to Padua, he is summoned to Florence to treat the beautiful Inés de Torremolinos, whose unusual ailment reveals a surprising anatomical feature. This discovery opens a realm of eroticism, yet the true intrigue lies in the Church's response to Mateo's findings in his book, De re anatomica. Set against the backdrop of the Renaissance's artistic and philosophical awakening, the story also unfolds during the Inquisition, leading to Mateo's imprisonment on charges of heresy. His trial and defense elevate the narrative beyond mere eroticism, inviting deeper philosophical discussions.