The History of Gil Blas of Santillane
Quick Summary
The History of Gil Blas of Santillane is a picaresque novel by Alain-René Lesage, first published in volumes between 1715 and 1735. It is considered one of the earliest realistic novels and helped popularize the picaresque genre in Europe.12
The story follows the adventures of an ordinary man, Gil Blas, as he navigates both high and low society. Unlike many picaresque tales, Gil Blas has a happy ending, with the protagonist achieving wealth and respectability. Lesage, a French writer, was known for his satirical works and adaptations of Spanish literature.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
