A picaresque novel is a literary genre that originated in Spain during the 16th century and gained popularity throughout Europe. It typically features a rogue or anti-hero protagonist who embarks on a series of adventures or misadventures, often of a humorous or satirical nature. The word "picaresque" is derived from the Spanish term "pícaro," which means rogue or rascal. One of the most famous examples of a picaresque novel is "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes. This iconic work follows the escapades of a deluded knight-errant and his loyal squire as they navigate the absurdities of society. "Don Quixote" is considered a pioneer of the picaresque genre, setting the standard for subsequent works in terms of character development and social commentary. Another well-known picaresque novel is "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain. The novel chronicles the journey of Huck Finn, a young boy from the American South, as he escapes from his abusive father and navigates the Mississippi River with his runaway slave companion, Jim. Twain's masterpiece is renowned for its social critique and vivid depiction of life in 19th-century America. For readers interested in exploring more picaresque novels, a few other noteworthy recommendations include: 1. "Candide" by Voltaire - This satirical novel follows the adventures of a naïve young man named Candide as he encounters various absurd and troubling situations, questioning the concept of optimism along the way. 2. "Moll Flanders" by Daniel Defoe - The eponymous protagonist of this novel is a cunning and resourceful woman who survives through a series of marriages, thefts, and deceptions in 18th-century England. 3. "The Adventures of Augie March" by Saul Bellow - Set in Chicago, this novel tells the story of Augie March, a restless and ambitious young man seeking his purpose in life amidst the backdrop of the mid-20th century. Readers can find these picaresque novels and many others on popular online bookstores or electronic platforms such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Project Gutenberg. Additionally, websites like Goodreads offer comprehensive lists and recommendations for those interested in exploring the picaresque genre further. In conclusion, picaresque novels provide readers with a thrilling and entertaining reading experience, often exploring themes of social criticism, adventure, and character development. Whether it's the classic works of Cervantes and Twain or other lesser-known gems, picaresque novels offer a glimpse into the satirical and often humorous side of literature.
She was a fairy in the celestial realm, framed by her rival and sentenced to death by the emperor. In order to save her, he sacrificed a thousand years of cultivation to preserve her last trace of spiritual essence and sent her to the mortal world for reincarnation. He feared that she would be persecuted by the emperor after becoming a fairy, so he left a seal on her spiritual essence. As a result, when she was reincarnated, she had no spiritual roots and could not cultivate as a fairy. Due to her incomplete spiritual essence, she was weak and prone to illness after reincarnation. It was said that she would not live past sixteen. When the seal is finally broken, let's witness how the former fairy ascends to the celestial realm and vindicates herself.
292.19 Million words | 2023-01-02 02:41Update
In her previous life, she was the princess of another clan. People believed she brought turmoil to the kingdom. In this life, she is reincarnated as Feng's precious jewel. She only wishes to enjoy the tranquility of picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence and witness the beauty of the southern mountains. She wants to spend her days gardening under the moonlight and gentle breeze. However, fate pulls her back into the mist of her past. Time ages all things while history repeats itself. When will the merciless storms cease, and the moon bring back her lost lover from a thousand miles away?
172.74 Million words | 2020-10-05 18:05Update
The plot of 'Phoenix's Calamity: You Are My Consort' is full of twists and turns, gripping the hearts of readers. It is a well-written novel by author Murong Yan'er. The chapters are available for free online reading on Qidian, showcasing Murong Yan'er's latest refreshing and clean writing style.
291.87 Million words | 2020-09-21 13:02Update
【Completed】【Completed Old Story 'Fierce Poisonous Wife'】 Series, the story of Leng Hanfeng and Gu Nianxi. One month without updating the horror and supernatural novel, Qin Zimu encounters a wealthy reader named Mu Yu Chen, which is the luckiest and saddest thing in his life. For a dream, the destitute daughter of a rich family enters the Mu family, fights with wits and courage, and stands out. For the truth, the design department employees move into the CEO's villa, entering the wolf's den, step by step falling. Climbing walls at midnight, losing in a high-stakes gamble, in a glance, love deeply penetrates. As conspiracy strikes, identities are revealed, he turns out to be the blurry person in her mind! Layer by layer, unravel the mist, unexpectedly she is not simple either. Once emotional, countless suffering, sorrowful departure, rebirth. Will they ultimately be unable to escape a lifetime of love fate? Or is it impossible to let go of love, hatred, anger, and infatuation?
582.70 Million words | 2020-08-01 12:17Update
From a student expelled from the film academy to a lowly production assistant at a television station, and then to a script supervisor, lighting crew, cameraman, assistant director, director... From variety shows to TV dramas, and then to commercials, music videos, and films... From the Golden Rooster Awards to the Palme d'Or, and then to the Oscars... He is a star among producers, his expertise lies in creating stars.
149.31 Million words | 2022-01-01 15:23Update
Carefree and free-spirited. Gaming in the mortal realm, laughing proudly in the world. College student Zhao Xuan accidentally obtains a miraculous inheritance, gaining boundless true power. As his strength grows, Zhao Xuan begins to summon winds and control rain, indulging in the world of flowers, defying fate, unstoppable. He is the hellish messenger in the eyes of villains, the urban dark hero that troubles high-ranking officials in every province! When hearing of injustice, he unleashes the power of wind and thunder, seeking justice and revenge. Faced with enemies, he toys with them like playthings, tormenting them mercilessly. Roaming freely in the dark night, soaring in the sky, riding the winds and clouds, he progresses triumphantly and prospers greatly!
146.63 Million words | 2021-05-20 13:13Update
Gu Xia has a notorious reputation in the city, having given birth to an illegitimate child and resorting to ruthless measures. She disowns her own family, but every man in the city wants her. Pei Dongyang is considered an unconventional figure in the city's prominent circles, often getting into fights and ending up in jail, yet every woman in the city desires his favor. He tells her, 'We are a perfect match, everything is just right...'
502.82 Million words | 2021-05-21 08:24Update
The urban talented woman gained new life by borrowing a body and not only became the deputy valley master of a mysterious faction, but also the daughter of the Hou family! While falling in love with her senior brother, she also wanted to escape due to deep-seated fears. 'It's your choice to leave, but I will never let go!' Faced with Su Qi's domineering retention, Xia Xuer still had to reject him, despite being moved. Some secrets cannot be spoken of...
210.15 Million words | 2021-09-12 00:46Update
If you love someone, do you want to live in heaven alone or would you rather have them accompany you in hell? If you hate someone, do you want them to be shattered into pieces or do you want them to suffer a fate worse than death? Xiao Meng, who moved in with the Zhou family after her mother remarried, becomes the adopted sister of Zhou Yanzhao. Growing up together, they develop feelings of love for each other. When they decide to run away for their love, Zhou Yanzhao's father unexpectedly gets into a car accident, which was orchestrated by Xiao Meng's mother. Taking over his father's business, Zhou Yanzhao transforms from an innocent boy into the leader of the southern underworld, known as Shi Ge. However, the grudges and vendettas between their elders become an insurmountable chasm for both Xiao Meng and Zhou Yanzhao. The story begins with hatred but also with love. Zhou Yanzhao starts to deliberately torment Xiao Meng, keeping her close but making her watch as he dates and gets engaged to other women. Xiao Meng chooses the same path as her mother and secretly collaborates with the police, becoming an informant. This repressed and hopeless love eventually explodes during the greatest upheaval within the southern underworld. Who is the rose in his heart, whom he is willing to remember for eternity? The most obsessive love, the most insane emotions, the most romantic longing, and the most graceful ending. A year-end masterpiece by Fei Wo Si Cun, 'The Switch of Love', is about to begin. Who is the rose in his heart, whom she is willing to remember for eternity?
15.81 Million words | 2020-11-14 15:03Update
Seven years ago, she gave up her true love to save her father, unknowingly falling into a conspiracy behind a wealthy family; seven years later, she just wants to deceive him of his 'one in a billion' for the sake of her son. Can't she even do that? Sigh... so heart-wrenching... Qin Yan: Su Yao, do you think I, Qin Yan, am someone you can provoke? The problem is she keeps provoking him over and over again! She doesn't take the chief lightly at all! How can he swallow this anger? His deep affection and unique love made her run away with her son, suffering and in despair, to the ends of the earth. Searching for her father a thousand miles away, the little bun pleaded: Daddy, go bring back Mommy! This book is provided by K (g.k.com) authorized version, please support the original.
324.27 Million words | 2021-06-29 13:38Update
Set in the bustling and fashionable city of Shanghai, where the economy is rapidly growing, Tiny Times tells the story of four close friends - Lin Xiao, Nan Xiang, Gu Li, and Tang Wanru. Despite their deep bond, the girls have different values and perspectives in life. As they enter the workforce and face immense pressure, their friendships, relationships, and even family ties undergo significant changes. This novel offers a realistic portrayal of the lives of fashionable young people in modern times.
175.83 Million words | 2020-07-13 23:08Update
Nangong Rou is the illegitimate daughter of a singing girl in Loyalty and Righteousness Manor. Growing up in the manor with her stepmother and younger sister, Nangong Rou faces a tough life with the oppression from the lord's wife and the bullying from other stepmothers. Despite the hardships, she finds happiness in the company of her stepmother and sister. One day, by chance, Nangong Rou catches the eye of the current crown prince... She only wants to live a peaceful life and stay away from royal conflicts... However, due to the jealousy of her half-sister, she is schemed against by her own family and loses her life... Unwilling to accept her fate, Nangong Rou unexpectedly reincarnates as the lost daughter of the emperor and gains knowledge of cultivation techniques. From then on, she embarks on a journey towards becoming an immortal as a princess...
297.56 Million words | 2023-03-01 23:26Update
No spiritual roots, no cultivation? No, witness how the female protagonist steps by step transcends mortal existence and achieves extraordinary Immortal Dao! What is Dao? It is said that the highest virtue is like water. Water benefits all things without contention and stays away from what people hate, thus it is close to the Dao!
170.87 Million words | 2022-07-31 00:31Update
We are assassins, targeting teachers. With a purple-tinged assignment, Yume arrives at Class E in Mokushu High School, expecting a peaceful campus life. However, everything changes with the appearance of a strange octopus. Can this peculiar creature, known as the Teacher Assassin, escape its destiny of death? What will happen in this classroom themed around assassination? Until the end of the story, no one will know...
219.37 Million words | 2020-09-14 16:50Update
"Give me two options, either lend me your bathroom or let me pounce on you." After helping him deal with a woman who tried to force him into marriage, she accidentally drank a glass of red wine and ended up performing a forceful sofa bing dong. When threatened by a small woman, Jiang Jinyan couldn't bear it anymore. He used his flirting skills and dragged her into a game of emotions. ********* "Actually, that day I wanted to choose the second option." One night, Boss Jiang sat on the sofa, gently swaying the glass of red wine, with a serious expression. "I knew you had a dirty mind but lacked the courage." She raised her eyebrow and snorted. "No, it's just that you were too thin at the time, and I was afraid it would hurt you." She: "..." ********* "They say I owe the Jiang family a life and a pair of legs. Today, I will return them." She lightly covered her lower abdomen, standing in the middle of the road, locking eyes with his deep black phoenix gaze through the windshield, smiling carefree. Falling to the ground, he embraced her, "Chuyun, you're such a fool. I want you to spend the rest of your life with me!"
475.91 Million words | 2022-05-07 12:07Update
Author: Marcus Aurelius (-). Emperor of the Roman Empire. He dedicated himself day and night to the governance of the empire, quelling rebellions, and finally died in the midst of military campaigns. Aurelius received a good education in literature, rhetoric, philosophy, law, and painting. He used the rare moments of leisure from political affairs to record his inner dialogue, leaving behind an immortal spiritual treasure - 'Meditations'.
539.64 Million words | 2021-10-20 18:04Update
In order to fulfill the wishes of his sister, he marries his sister's girlfriend who is in love with another man, thinking he can control the situation. However, he soon realizes that he has deviated from his original plan. He can control the entire company, but not his own heart when it comes to her. She willingly divorces him in order to support his ambitions and starts a new life away from him. She believes she can escape her love for him, but when he approaches her again, she surrenders completely. Pressured by their families, she disappears for four years. During this time, he rejects all the attention from other women and focuses on healing his own wounds. After four years, she returns with a stunning transformation and two adorable sons, who are biologically his but call another man 'father'. Just as their family reunites and starts to enjoy their happiness, the past grievances and conflicts begin to resurface...
62.35 Million words | 2022-04-06 15:13Update
The Most Difficult Path to a Slim and Beautiful Woman is a captivating novel written by Qing Si Zhuo. It showcases an intriguing plot with excellent storytelling, and can be read online for free on Penfunge.
244.55 Million words | 2020-09-29 04:36Update
The daughter of the High family, talented, virtuous, and beautiful. What type do you prefer? Take your pick! And regardless of status, there's even more surprises in store! Also comes with a quirky little cousin sister, who wants her? Grab her quickly!
587.82 Million words | 2023-03-14 05:23Update
Arrogant playboy meets sharp-tongued heroine, destined to be enemies turned lovers. This romantic comedy, Golden Destiny, will bring laughter and joy to your screens. Don't miss out on the fun as the story unfolds!
485.46 Million words | 2020-07-10 18:09Update
