Paul Scarron's masterpiece, The Comic Romance, recounts the adventures of a troupe of provincial itinerant actors, skilfully weaving multiple narrative strands - such as the personal histories and love stories of the central couples Destiny and Star and Leandre and Angelique, the farcical misadventures of the buffoonish Ragotin and various tales inspired by Spanish novelas - into a rich tapestry depicting side by side the realities of rural France and the realms of the imagination. A milestone of picaresque literature that would influence Henry Fielding, The Comic Romance spawned countless imitations when it was published and was championed in the nineteenth century by eminent literary figures such as Theophile Gautier and Gerard de Nerval.

About the Author
Paul Scarron (1610-60) was born in Paris, but spent much of his youth in Le Mans, where he became an abbot. His libertine lifestyle prompted a return to Paris, where he devoted himself to literature. Afflicted by a mysterious paralysis of his legs from his twenties, he died without being able to finish the third and final part of his masterpiece, The Comic Romance.

Reviews
Jacques Houis's lively new translation conveys the energy and vitality of Scarron's original... a welcome revival of a comic classic. * TLS *
Paul Scarron is the Homer of the school of buffoonery. -- Theophile Gautier



Book Information
ISBN 9781847492203
Author Paul Scarron
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Alma Classics
Publisher Alma Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 272g