Tobias Smollett
French Enlightenment thinker Voltaire saw much to admire in Russian emperor Peter the Great. Most significantly, Voltaire admired Peter's tireless efforts to drag Russia from its medieval mindset and thrust it into an age of rationality. This exhaustive biography focuses more on Peter's philosophy and values than his wartime exploits.
The picaresque novel was an entertaining take on satire that came to prominence in early modern and Enlightenment-era Europe. Tales in this genre often features a dashing protagonist of humble origins who relies on his wit to make his way in life. To many critics, The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane represents the very pinnacle of the picaresque novel genre. Dive into this hilariously rollicking account and find out why!
