Synopsis
Published in 1554, Lazarillo de Tormes gives readers an insider's view of what life was like in sixteenth-century Spain. Told by a poor boy who is a picaro, or rascal, Lazarillo is the favorite of all the picaresque novels published during Spain's siglo de oro. As Lazarillo tries to earn his livelihood, he serves a series of masters, all of whom represent important social types of the time. In turn, these masters teach Lazarillo about the cruelty, corruption, and hypocrisy that were an integral part of everyday life. In spite of his miserable environment, Lazarillo remains a keen observer of the human condition. He is truly one of literature's most memorable characters.