Gil Blas
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1715
608
Novel • Fiction
Spain • 17th century
1715
Adult
18+ years
Gil Blas by Alain René Lesage follows the title character's adventures as he navigates various social classes, encountering a wide array of professions and personalities, often finding himself in precarious situations, both morally and legally, ultimately rising to positions of influence only to retreat to a simpler life. The novel contains themes of incarceration and violence.
Humorous
Adventurous
Playful
Romantic
Mysterious
354 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Alain René Lesage’s Gil Blas garners praise for its witty satire and vivid depiction of 18th-century society. Critics laud Lesage's narrative finesse and character development, particularly of the roguish protagonist. However, some find the lengthy episodic structure challenging and the moral undertones somewhat antiquated, which may not resonate with modern readers.
Readers who relish picaresque adventures filled with wit and social satire will enjoy Alain René Lesage's Gil Blas. This novel appeals to fans of Cervantes' Don Quixote and Defoe's Moll Flanders, as it offers a similar mix of roguish charm, episodic structure, and keen observations of human nature.
354 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
608
Novel • Fiction
Spain • 17th century
1715
Adult
18+ years
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