Le Sage - Histoire de Gil Blas de Santillane - 1835

Major illustrated edition, with about 600 wood engravings by Jean Gigoux, including a frontispiece and a portrait.
It is considered very important in the history of the Romantic illustrated book.

2 volumes in-8, half calfskin, 972 pages (continuous pagination) - Light external wear, fresh interior - Nice copy.

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Résumé de l’histoire

The novel tells the life of Gil Blas, a poor son (squire + maid), who leaves his town to study… but quickly falls into a series of adventures.

As the story unfolds, he becomes successively:

• companion of robbers
• prisoner
• valet
• apprentice doctor
• actor
• servant of nobles
• then manager and close to power

He thus observes all social classes (the people, the bourgeoisie, the nobility, the clergy).

Sens et thèmes

The book is at once:

• a satire of society (corruption, hypocrisy, ambition)
• a coming-of-age novel (the hero matures over time)
• a realistic portrait of daily life

Gil Blas evolves:

• young and naive at the beginning
• cunning and sometimes corrupt at the top
• wiser and withdrawn at the end

Importance
Considered a model of the picaresque novel
Immense success from its publication
Will influence many European writers

À retenir simplement

It is the story of a young man who climbs into society thanks to his intelligence, but who also discovers his faults and illusions.

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Major illustrated edition, with about 600 woodcuts by Jean Gigoux, frontispiece and portrait.
It is considered very important in the history of the romantic illustrated book.

2 volumes in-8, half calfskin binding, 972 pages (continuous pagination) - Light external wear, fresh interior - Nice copy.

--------

Résumé de l’histoire

The novel tells the story of Gil Blas, poor son (squire + maid), who leaves his city to study… but quickly falls into a series of adventures.

As the story progresses, it becomes:

• companion of robbers
• prisoner
• valet
• apprentice doctor
• actor
• servant of nobles
• then intendant and close to power

He thus observes all social classes (people, bourgeoisie, nobility, clergy).

Meaning and themes

The book is both:

• a satire of society (corruption, hypocrisy, ambition)
• a coming-of-age novel (the hero matures over time)
• a realistic painting of everyday life

Gil Blas evolves:

• young and naive at first
• cunning and sometimes corrupt at the top
• wiser and withdrawn at the end

Significance
Considered a model of the picaresque novel
Immense success from its publication
Will influence many European writers

To remember simply

It is the story of a young man who climbs into society thanks to his intelligence, but who also discovers his flaws and illusions.