Alain-René Lesage
Biography
Alain-René Lesage (1668–1747) was a French novelist and playwright, best known for Gil Blas (1715–1735), one of the great picaresque novels of European literature. Born in Sarzeau, Brittany, he studied law in Paris before turning to literature. Gil Blas, his masterwork, follows a young Spaniard through decades of adventure across all levels of society. Lesage also wrote the play Turcaret (1709), a brilliant satire of financiers. His influence on the picaresque tradition was enormous, affecting Fielding, Smollett, and Dickens.
Common themes in Alain-René Lesage's work
Picaresque novel
A recurring theme throughout Alain-René Lesage's writing.
French literature
A recurring theme throughout Alain-René Lesage's writing.
18th-century fiction
A recurring theme throughout Alain-René Lesage's writing.
Adventure
Takes readers on exciting journeys and discoveries in Alain-René Lesage's work.
Books
Explore by genre
Other authors you may enjoy
Why Alain-René Lesage is still read today
Lesage’s Gil Blas is one of the foundational picaresque novels, influencing Fielding, Smollett, and the entire tradition of comic adventure fiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Alain-René Lesage?
Lesage (1668–1747) was a French novelist whose picaresque masterpiece Gil Blas influenced Fielding, Smollett, and Dickens.
What is Gil Blas?
A picaresque novel following a young Spaniard through decades of adventure across all levels of society. Available free on TextStack.
What is a picaresque novel?
A story following a roguish hero through episodic adventures across different social settings.
Where can I read Lesage free?
TextStack offers Gil Blas to read free online.
Essential cookies keep you signed in and save your reading progress. Analytics cookies help us understand how the site is used. You can reject analytics — we still work without them. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.