The 18th century saw the flourishing of the picaresque novel, a genre defined by its focus on the adventures of a clever, often morally ambiguous protagonist navigating a corrupt society. Here are the top 5 best 18th century picaresque novels from this era, each reviewed in detail:
1. Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe (1722)
Known as one of the greatest 18th century picaresque novels. Moll Flanders is a landmark in the picaresque tradition, chronicling the tumultuous life of its titular heroine—a woman of low birth who survives through cunning, crime, and wit in a hostile London. Defoe presents Moll’s story as a memoir, blending journalistic realism with the conventions of rogue biography. The narrative is striking for its plain, unadorned prose and its focus on the practical struggles of a woman without social or financial security.
The novel is notable for its moral ambiguity: while Defoe’s preface claims a moral purpose, the story itself rarely moralizes. Moll’s criminal and sexual exploits are depicted with frankness, and the narrative often excuses her actions as necessary for survival. This creates a complex character who is both likable and deeply flawed, embodying the tension between absolute morality and pragmatic ethics. The psychological depth and the vivid depiction of hardship make Moll Flanders a masterpiece of characterization and a foundational work in the genre.
2. The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding (1749)
Fielding’s Tom Jones is a sprawling, comic epic that follows the adventures and misadventures of Tom, a foundling of mysterious parentage, as he travels through 18th-century England. The novel is celebrated for its wit, humor, and incisive social commentary. Fielding uses Tom’s journey—marked by love affairs, misunderstandings, and brushes with the law—to satirize the moral and social hypocrisies of his time.
The characters are drawn with depth and nuance, from the virtuous Squire Allworthy to the spirited Sophia Western. Fielding’s narrative voice is playful and omniscient, frequently breaking the fourth wall to address the reader directly. The novel’s structure, blending adventure with romance and satire, exemplifies the picaresque form while also pushing the boundaries of what the English novel could achieve.
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3. Candide by Voltaire (1759)
Though French rather than English, Candide is one of the first 18th century picaresque novels of the 18th century. Voltaire’s razor-sharp satire follows the naïve Candide as he is buffeted from one calamity to another across Europe and beyond, encountering war, natural disaster, and human cruelty at every turn. The novel skewers philosophical optimism and the absurdities of society through its episodic structure and relentless irony.
Candide’s journey is both a literal and philosophical odyssey, exposing the folly of blind faith in “the best of all possible worlds.” The brisk pace, dark humor, and vivid characters make Candide a classic of the genre, blending adventure with biting social critique.
4. The Adventures of Roderick Random by Tobias Smollett (1748)
Smollett’s Roderick Random is one of the best 18th century picaresque novels, chronicling the rise and fall of its Scottish protagonist as he seeks fortune and status. The episodic narrative takes Roderick from poverty to naval service, from London’s underworld to the battlefields of Europe. Smollett draws on his own experiences as a naval surgeon, lending authenticity to the novel’s depictions of hardship and adventure.
The novel is marked by its satirical edge, targeting the corruption and cruelty of British society. Roderick is a flawed but resourceful hero, and his misadventures expose the precariousness of life for those on society’s margins. Smollett’s energetic storytelling and vivid characterizations make this a standout of the picaresque tradition.
5. The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle by Tobias Smollett (1751)
Another major work by Smollett, Peregrine Pickle follows its eponymous antihero through a series of outrageous escapades across Europe. The novel is notable for its satirical treatment of manners, institutions, and the foibles of the upper classes. Peregrine is a more cynical and less sympathetic figure than many picaresque protagonists, but his exploits are rendered with exuberant humor and sharp social observation.
Smollett’s narrative is episodic and digressive, filled with colorful characters and comic set pieces. The novel’s blend of farce, satire, and adventure exemplifies the picaresque form, making it a key work of 18th-century fiction.