Adventures of Gil Blas de Santillane. By Alain René Lesage FULL Audiobook
"The Adventures of Gil Blas de Santillane" (French: L'Histoire de Gil Blas de Santillane) is a captivating picaresque novel penned by Alain-René Lesage. First published between 1715 and 1735, this work has left an indelible mark on literature. Let's delve into the intriguing tale of Gil Blas:
### Plot Summary:
Gil Blas, born into poverty in the town of Santillana in Cantabria, Spain, faces an uncertain future. His parents, a stablehand and a chambermaid, provide him with meager beginnings. However, fate intervenes when his uncle takes charge of his education. At the age of seventeen, Gil leaves his hometown of Oviedo to pursue higher learning at the University of Salamanca.
But life takes an unexpected turn. Along the way, Gil is coerced into aiding robbers, leading to his imprisonment. This setback forces him to adapt, and he embarks on a journey that exposes him to various strata of society—both lay and clerical. As a valet, he encounters disreputable characters, navigates precarious situations, and hones his wit and resourcefulness.
Gil's resilience and intelligence propel him upward. He eventually finds himself at the royal court, favored by the king and serving as the prime minister's secretary. Through hard work and astuteness, he secures a comfortable life in a castle, enjoying both fortune and honesty.
### Literary Significance:
Lesage masterfully weaves wit and satire into the fabric of Gil Blas. The novel's witty valets, thieving masters, morally ambiguous women, cuckolded yet content husbands, gourmands, poets, and ignorant doctors serve as archetypes. Lesage's portrayal of various classes and occupations transcends national boundaries, making Gil Blas both universal and distinctly French within a Spanish context.
However, the novel's originality sparked debate. Voltaire noted similarities between Gil Blas and Marcos de Obregón by Vicente Espinel, from which Lesage borrowed certain details. Some even questioned Lesage's authorship, with theories attributing the work to historian Antonio de Solís y Ribadeneyra. Despite these controversies, Gil Blas remains a timeless exploration of human nature and societal intricacies.
In his Confessions, philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau acknowledges reading Gil Blas, recommended by Mademoiselle du Chatelet. Rousseau's evolving judgment reflects the novel's depth—a blend of moral observation and human insight.
In summary, The Adventures of Gil Blas de Santillane invites readers into a world of intrigue, humor, and social commentary. Gil Blas's journey—from humble origins to courtly heights—resonates across centuries, reminding us that adaptability and wit can shape destinies. 📖🌟
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More: Gil Blas, Santillane, Alain René Lesage
Audiobook, Adventure, Cantabria
University of Salamanca, Stablehand, Chambermaid
Misery, Education, Oviedo
Tobias Smollett, Translated, Uncle
00:00:00 The Author's Declaration and Gil Blas to the Reader
00:04:37 Book I, Chapter I
00:10:42 Book I, Chapter II
00:28:37 Book I, Chapter III
00:37:14 Book I, Chapter IV
00:43:53 Book I, Chapter V
01:01:08 Book I, Chapter VI
01:09:08 Book I, Chapter VII
01:14:14 Book I, Chapter VIII
01:22:05 Book I, Chapter IX
01:28:24 Book I, Chapter X
01:42:48 Book I, Chapter XI
02:02:23 Book I, Chapter XII
02:10:26 Book I, Chapter XIII
02:18:43 Book I, Chapter XIV
02:28:23 Book I, Chapter XV
02:39:37 Book I, Chapter XVI
02:55:06 Book I, Chapter XVII
03:13:25 Book II, Chapter I
03:27:16 Book II, Chapter II
03:40:14 Book II, Chapter III
03:54:17 Book II, Chapter IV
04:15:50 Book II, Chapter V
04:31:12 Book II, Chapter VI
04:37:30 Book II, Chapter VII
05:30:32 Book II, Chapter VIII
05:40:33 Book II, Chapter IX
05:54:32 Book III, Chapter I
06:10:37 Book III, Chapter II
06:24:39 Book III, Chapter III
06:46:17 Book III, Chapter IV
07:02:08 Book III, Chapter V
07:22:53 Book III, Chapter VI
07:35:23 Book III, Chapter VII
07:53:19 Book III, Chapter VIII
08:05:29 Book III, Chapter IX
08:13:57 Book III, Chapter X
08:23:15 Book III, Chapter XI
08:34:36 Book III, Chapter XII
08:43:34 Book IV, Chapter I
08:57:38 Book IV, Chapter II
09:07:15 Book IV, Chapter III
09:22:30 Book IV, Chapter IV, Part 1
09:56:37 Book IV, Chapter IV, Part 2
10:39:38 Book IV, Chapter V
11:05:52 Book IV, Chapter VI
11:27:25 Book IV, Chapter VII
