Alain René Le Sage Book order (chronological)

Alain-René Le Sage was a prolific French satirical dramatist whose work, particularly the picaresque novel Gil Blas, influenced European literature. Though orphaned and living in poverty, the educated Le Sage made his mark in literary salons. His early plays and prose were heavily inspired by Spanish literature, yet his satire targeted Parisian society. Le Sage is considered a successor to Molière for his free-spirited creations, and his novel Gil Blas, one of the earliest realistic novels, brought a sunnier spirit and a happy ending to the picaresque tradition.