However (sorry I hadn't read the first paragraph concerning the Fifth Book), the sentence "The epic journey ends with Pantagruel producing a large shit, perhaps the ultimate commentary on the subjects of politics and religion which the books satirize" is completly wrong. The Fifth Book ends with the Chapter XLVII called "Comment avoir prins congé de Bacbuc delaissent l'Oracle de la Bouteille" ("How, after having taken leave of Bacbuc, they quit the Oracle of the Bottle"). I.e., the final speech of Bacbuc.