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What is a picaresque novel?
Picaresque derives from Spanish picaresco, which means "of or relating to a picaro," the picaro being the rogue or bohemian usually at the center of picaresque fiction. The typical picaro is a wandering individual of low social standing who happens into a series of adventures among people of various higher classes, and often relies on wits and a little dishonesty to get by. The first known novel in this style is Lazarillo de Tormes (circa 1554), an irreverent work about a poor boy who works for a series of masters of dubious character. The novel has been attributed to Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, but his authorship is disputable.
Examples of picaresque in a Sentence
Katie Rife, Vulture, 21 June 2024
Reading this picaresque adventure story is a nearly psychedelic experience, made for those who like to read outside the box.
—Marion Winik, Washington Post, 30 July 2024
Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
Through the girls’ picaresque adventures and growing affection, Coen surveys the subculture of lesbian bars, sorority soccer teams, and feminine license that have surfaced in the nearly three decades since the release of Bound.
—Armond White, National Review, 31 July 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near picaresque
Cite this Entry
“Picaresque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/picaresque. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
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