Although Smollett would write other hit novels, his first foray into fiction, The Adventures of Roderick Random, which has never been out of print, is in many ways his best, a must-read for those familiar with his other works and the place to start for neophytes. . . . [T]his superb edition . . . [contains] copious notes and introductory material, clarifying all matters biographical, historical, political and linguistic and explaining customs, manners and diction, providing the reader with everything he needs to get the most out of this not-to-be-missed treat.
The Adventures of Roderick Random is a picaresque novel following the turbulent life of its eponymous hero, a spirited and often reckless young man navigating 18th-century society. Born the illegitimate son of a nobleman, Roderick faces hardship and neglect before embarking on a series of wild escapades across Britain, France, and the high seas. As a naval surgeon's mate and later a midshipman, he endures brutal conditions, encounters eccentric characters, and pursues love and fortune amid chaos. Smollett blends satire, humor, and gritty realism to critique social injustice, corruption, and human folly. A vivid, often bawdy tale of survival and self-discovery, it helped shape the early English novel and inspired later writers like Dickens and Thackeray.
The Adventures of Roderick Random is a picaresque novel following the turbulent life of its eponymous hero, a spirited and often reckless young man navigating 18th-century society. Born the illegitimate son of a nobleman, Roderick faces hardship and neglect before embarking on a series of wild escapades across Britain, France, and the high seas. As a naval surgeon's mate and later a midshipman, he endures brutal conditions, encounters eccentric characters, and pursues love and fortune amid chaos. Smollett blends satire, humor, and gritty realism to critique social injustice, corruption, and human folly. A vivid, often bawdy tale of survival and self-discovery, it helped shape the early English novel and inspired later writers like Dickens and Thackeray.
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Product Details
BN ID: | 2940195601553 |
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Publisher: | Interactive Media |
Publication date: | 06/26/2025 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
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