"Two Spanish Picaresque Novels; Lazarillo de Tormes, Anon: The Swindler El Buscon(by) Francisco de Quevedo; Tr. from the Spanish by Michael Alpert" - Summary

This book offers readers a captivating journey through the gritty underbelly of 16th-17th century Spain with two iconic picaresque novels: the anonymous Lazarillo de Tormes and Francisco de Quevedo's The Swindler (El Buscón). Experience the biting social satire and unflinching realism as you follow the escapades of roguish protagonists navigating a world rife with corruption, poverty, and social inequality. Translated by Michael Alpert, these timeless classics offer a window into a bygone era while resonating with surprising relevance to contemporary society.

Key Themes:

• Social Satire and Criticism: Both novels masterfully employ wit and satire to expose the hypocrisy and corruption rampant in early modern Spain. Lazarillo, through his various masters, reveals the moral bankruptcy of the clergy, nobility, and even common folk. Similarly, Pablos, in El Buscón, encounters a parade of deceitful and self-serving individuals across different social classes, highlighting the pervasiveness of societal ills.
• The Picaresque Hero's Journey: Lazarillo and Pablos, though from different backgrounds, embody the quintessential picaro – a resourceful rogue forced by circumstance into a life of trickery and survival. Their journeys, fraught with hardship and moral ambiguity, offer a glimpse into the lives of the marginalized and disenfranchised, challenging societal norms and expectations.
• Realism and Illusion: These novels, though humorous, paint a starkly realistic picture of 16th-17th century Spanish society. Poverty, hunger, and social injustice are ever-present realities. Yet, both protagonists, through their cunning and adaptability, manage to navigate this challenging landscape, blurring the lines between deception and survival, and questioning the very nature of truth and illusion.

FAQs:

• What is picaresque literature? Picaresque novels, originating in Spain, typically feature a charming rogue (picaro) from a low social standing who survives by wit and deception. These episodic narratives often satirize societal norms and offer a critique of the era.
• Is it necessary to read both novels included in the book? While both novels stand independently, reading them together offers a richer understanding of the picaresque genre and its evolution. The thematic parallels and contrasting styles provide a fascinating comparative study.
• Is the translation by Michael Alpert considered reliable? Michael Alpert is a renowned scholar of Spanish literature. His translations are widely acclaimed for their accuracy and readability, capturing the nuances of the original Spanish while making it accessible to a modern English-speaking audience.