Publication
Catedra (1987), 336 pages
Original publication date
1554
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Description
"This dual-language, annotated critical edition of Lazarillo de Tormes presents the complete text of the novel in both English and Spanish. The translation attempts to capture in modern English not only the meaning of the historical text, but also the qualities of its original style"--Provided by publisher.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Petroglyph
This was fun!
I do like a good picaresque story now and again, and this stone-cold classic of the subgenre did not disappoint me much. The main character, Lazaro, is a down-on-his-luck rogue, who prefers easy money and free food to honest work and paying his dues. He serves a succession of masters,
My edition also included a sequel, written after the original had become popular, and which purports to be by the same author as the first instalment (although it isn’t). That one was less fun: it’s less concerned with taking up overinflated authorities and more with illustrating the dog-eat-dog world that is everyday life. Everyone tries to out-con everyone else, and while that setup leads to more overt laughs, it’s a more diffuse approach as well. This section also indulges a little in fantastical nonsense when Lazaro is suddenly able to survive under water, which is a jarring break with the rest of the narrative.
I do like a good picaresque story now and again, and this stone-cold classic of the subgenre did not disappoint me much. The main character, Lazaro, is a down-on-his-luck rogue, who prefers easy money and free food to honest work and paying his dues. He serves a succession of masters,
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each of which is a terrible human being, and develops a taste for conning people along the way. It’s unapologetic in its comedy and gleefully and consistently mocks 16thC authority figures, and it does so echoing New Testament verbiage when appropriate. Good stuff. My edition also included a sequel, written after the original had become popular, and which purports to be by the same author as the first instalment (although it isn’t). That one was less fun: it’s less concerned with taking up overinflated authorities and more with illustrating the dog-eat-dog world that is everyday life. Everyone tries to out-con everyone else, and while that setup leads to more overt laughs, it’s a more diffuse approach as well. This section also indulges a little in fantastical nonsense when Lazaro is suddenly able to survive under water, which is a jarring break with the rest of the narrative.
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LibraryThing member kabouter
The tale of Lazaro, a boy who tries to survive by working for different people and what he does to survive his ordeal. It's very short which is part of the charm, but I'm not really sure if I will remember much of it (in time).
LibraryThing member hbergander
A prankster’s rise from poorest circumstances into society, from Salamanca-upon-Tormes to Toledo-upon-Tajo. Lazarillo describes this period of his life as his happiest time. At the other hand, he confesses, that during the advancement he hast lost much honour.
LibraryThing member LynnB
I read this book because it is cited as possibly the first modern novel. It was written in the 1560s. Like many early books, it is written in the first person, somewhat like a letter addressed to the reader. This book tells the story of Lazaro, a poor young man who serves several different masters
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as he attempts to make his way in the world. It is, at times, critical of the clergy and government -- in the way Lazaro describes what is happening. It's a short book, worth reading if you appreciate the development of literature. It reminded me a little of Candide. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kirmuriel
It was a really short reading. The author, anonymus, was really able to let me visualize Lázaro's life and sufferings. Also the footnotes of this edition really helped me to grasp the deeper meaning many of the passages have.
LibraryThing member yarb
Lazarillo, the prototypical picaresque from way back in 1554, is really interesting and like most prototypes, kind of funny-looking. The characters don’t even have names and the episodes vary oddly in tone and length. The figure of the out at heels nobleman who is starving himself to death rather
Quevedo’s El Buscón is the cynical example of the genre I’ve read. The Swindler – character and book – revels in filth, real and moral, seems to be deliberately offensive. This is admirable of course but also kinda tiring to read.
This Penguin Classics edition has a good introduction by translator Michael Alpert which grounds the texts in their literary and socio-historical contexts. Recommended.
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than betray his honour is genuinely affecting. And the title character seems good at heart, too, sharing his last scraps of food with his fellows in poverty. Poor little Lazarus. Quevedo’s El Buscón is the cynical example of the genre I’ve read. The Swindler – character and book – revels in filth, real and moral, seems to be deliberately offensive. This is admirable of course but also kinda tiring to read.
This Penguin Classics edition has a good introduction by translator Michael Alpert which grounds the texts in their literary and socio-historical contexts. Recommended.
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LibraryThing member bostonbibliophile
very funny, ironic, satirical. short and enjoyable.
Language
Original language
Spanish
ISBN
8437606608 / 9788437606606
Physical description
336 p.; 4.25 inches
Pages
336