Gil Blas was written in French between 1700 and 1730 by Alain-Rene LeSage.
Although nominally set in Spain,
it is in fact French through and through. The picaresque adventures of its hero
are described from naive youth through cunning servant to landed proprietor and
nobleman -- with a spell in jail, bereavements and fits of remorse along the
way. It was an immense hit on publication, and was translated into most
European languages. The version by Tobias Smollet was the first in English and
one of the best, although rather free in parts. Its influence on Smollett's own
work is clear (Roderick Random, Peregrine Pickle); Fielding (Tom Jones) and
Dickens (Nicholas Nickleby) were also heavily influenced by it or its numerous
imitators.
It is astonishing that so well-known and influential a book should have been
allowed to go out of print. We hope that by making it available here interest
willl be rekindled. It is a super read in any case, and I am sure you will
enjoy it.
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Ex-Classics