The Adventures of Roderick Random by T. Smollett

Published in 1748, The Adventures of Roderick Random is Tobias Smollett’s bold and satirical picaresque novel following the turbulent life of a Scottish orphan seeking fortune and identity. With a mix of humor and grit, Roderick’s journey spans ships, battlefields, prisons, and foreign lands, offering sharp commentary on 18th-century British society, class divisions, and naval life. Rich in vivid characters and fast-paced adventures, the novel is a classic of early English fiction and a milestone in the development of the modern novel.