Author: LESAGE (Alain Rene):
Title: The Adventures of Gil Blas, of Santillane. Translated from the French of Le Sage, by T. Smollett.
Description: London: Printed for J. Mawman..., 1819. 3 volumes. Large 8vo, 221 x 137 mms., pp. xi [xii blank], 388; vii [viii blank], 375 [376 blank]; viii, 398, 30 engraved plates (by J. Smith), contemporary half sheepskin, spines blocked in blind, red and black morocco labels, binder's cloth; some rubbing of joints, spine volume 1 a bit faded, but generally a very good set. Smollett (1721 - 1771) published his translation of Gil Blas in 1749, and there were at least 15 separate editions or reprints before the end of the 18th century. It was published just after his first novel The Adventures of Roderick Random (1748), and Smollett was preparing his translation in 1747 1748. In the Preface to Roderick Random, Smollett acknowledges his assimilation of Le Sage's method: "The following sheets I have modelled on his plan, taking the liberty, however, to differ from him in the execution, where I thought his particular situations were uncommon, extravagant, or peculiar to the country in which the scene is laid."

Keywords: fiction picaresque literature


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