The Histories of Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais is a satirical series of novels that chronicle the adventures of the giant Gargantua and his son Pantagruel. Written in the 16th century, the work is a blend of humor, fantasy, and profound commentary on the social, religious, and educational issues of the time. Rabelais uses the exaggerated tales of his larger-than-life characters to critique authority and promote humanism, making the novels a significant and enduring work of Renaissance literature.