The Adventures of Roderick Random

They are obsessed with the desire for wealth and carnal pleasures. Smollett, a master of grotesque realism, draws on his own experiences and, with dark humour, depicts human misery and despair, as well as moments of happiness. The main character – a Scottish nobleman with a degree in medicine – sets off for London, where a whirlwind of events lands him on a warship as a surgeon's mate. After dangerous service in the British colonial navy, he returns to the metropolis, determined to secure his future with an advantageous marriage. But instead of happiness, more falls and failures await him, and he must also fight for his chosen one. The novel is bursting with verbal, sexual, and combat energy. It is a window into life, love, and war in the 18th century – from the streets of London, through French cities, to the Caribbean, Africa, and Latin America. The hero fights his way out of poverty to make his mark as a doctor, writer, soldier, and lover. Smollett's story is one of the first global novels in English literature. It sheds light on imperialism, slavery, urban life, colonial wars, gender relations, trade, politics, and the underworld. Published in 1748, it is still considered one of the best works of the picaresque genre.