The Story of Gil Blas - The Story of Gil Blas (English)

Japanese: ジル･ブラース物語 - ジルブラースものがたり（英語表記）Histoire de Gil Blas de Santillane

A masterpiece by French novelist Lesage. Published in 1715, 1724, and 1735. A full-length story written in the style of the Spanish rogue novels that were popular at the time. The story follows Gilles Bras, a young man from Santiliana, Spain, who, with his innate vigor and optimism, travels the world in an attempt to make a name for himself, encountering many setbacks along the way. However, he makes the most of each experience to become wiser, and his kind nature makes him well-liked by others, eventually leading to his success in life. Although the story depicts 17th-century Spain on the surface, it is actually a brilliant portrayal of mid-18th-century French society in which the author lived, and satirizes its flaws.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

フランスの小説家ルサージュの傑作。1715,24,35年刊。当時流行のスペインの悪漢小説の体裁をとって書かれた長編物語。スペインのサンティリアーナ出身の若者ジル･ブラースが，生来の何ものにもめげぬ旺盛な生活力と楽天主義とをもって一旗挙げるために世の中を遍歴し，さんざんな目にも出会うが，そのつど経験をいかして賢くなり，また，根は優しい性格から人にも好かれ，ついには立身出世するという筋立てである。描写において，17世紀のスペインとは表向き，実は作者の生きた18世紀中葉のフランス社会をみごとに活写し，かつその欠陥を風刺している。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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