The King’s Anatomist – A Free Audio Excerpt

Written By Colin Mustful

In 1565 Brussels, the reclusive mathematician Jan van den Bossche receives shattering news that his lifelong friend, the renowned and controversial anatomist Andreas Vesalius, has died on the Greek island of Zante returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Jan decides to journey to his friend’s grave to offer his last goodbye.

On his journey from Brussels to Zante, Jan visits old friends and recounts many memories from his life with Andreas. In this excerpt, Jan and his assistant Marcus have stopped at the University of Padua, a school where Andreas was formerly the chair of surgery and anatomy. While Marcus explores the campus, Jan sits alone in Andreas’ old classroom. As he rests his weary knees in the quiet and dark classroom, he’s startled by an unexpected guest and then overcome with conflicting emotions.

Get Your Copy of The King’s Anatomist: The Journey of Andreas Vesalius

Colin Mustful

Colin Mustful is the founder and editor of History Through Fiction, an independent press dedicated to publishing historical narratives rooted in factual events and compelling characters. A celebrated author and historian whose novel “Reclaiming Mni Sota” recently won the Midwest Book Award for Literary/Contemporary/Historical Fiction, Mustful has penned five historical novels that delve into the complex eras of settler-colonialism and Native American displacement. Combining his interests in history and writing, Mustful holds a Master of Arts in history and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing. Residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he enjoys running, playing soccer, and believes deeply in the power of understanding history to shape a just and sustainable future.

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