The Adventures of Roderick Random (Oxford World's Classics) - Softcover

Smollett, Tobias

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199552347 ISBN 13: 9780199552344

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2008

Synopsis

Roderick Random (1748), Smollett's first novel, is full of the dazzling vitality characteristics of all his work, as well as of his own life. Roderick is the boisterous and unprincipled hero who answers life's many misfortunes with a sledgehammer. Left penniless, he leaves his native Scotland for London and on the way meets Strap, and old schoolfellow. Together they undergo many adventures at the hands of scoundrels and rogues. Roderick qualifies as a surgeon's mate and is pressed as a common soldier on bord the man-of-war Thunder. In a tale of romance as well as adventure, Roderick also finds time to fall in love... Smollett drew on his own experiences as a surgeon's mate in the navy for the memorable scenes on board ship, and the novel combines documentary realism with great humour and panache.
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About this title

Review

"Although Smollett would write other hit novels, his first foray into fiction, "The Adventures of Roderick Random", which has never been out of print, is in many ways his best, a must-read for those familiar with his other works and the place to start for neophytes. . . . [T]his superb edition . . . [contains] copious notes and introductory material, clarifying all matters biographical, historical, political and linguistic and explaining customs, manners and diction, providing the reader with everything he needs to get the most out of this not-to-be-missed treat."--Martin Rubin, "Washington Times"

"A reprinting of a literary classic that reflects on its place in the history of literature, "The Adventures of Roderick Random" is an excellent addition to any community library collection of eighteenth century literature."--"Midwest Book Review"
"This is certainly 'the most elaborate scholarly edition of "Roderick Random "yet undertaken[.]' . . . Smollett was a major talent who appealed to generations of readers and writers, and "Roderick Random "is up to the very best he ever produced." --Pat Rogers, "The New Criterion"

"["The Adventures of Roderick Random"] comes with a crisply informative introduction and explanatory and textual commentaries which give every appearance of reflecting the distinction of the editorial team. . . . Like the other volumes in the series, it is handsomely produced and delightfully illustrated."--Claude Rawson, "Recent Studies in the Restoration and Eighteenth Century"

"While they spend more time on the novel's literary context and reception, [the editors] also devote adequate space to its cultural politics, touching on an array of issues from imperialism to homophobia . . . . the editors want to define "Roderick Random" as a work that is ahead of its time, not a product of it--its issues 'less political' than 'existential'."--Lee Kahan, "Modern Language Review"

Although Smollett would write other hit novels, his first foray into fiction, "The Adventures of Roderick Random," which has never been out of print, is in many ways his best, a must-read for those familiar with his other works and the place to start for neophytes. . . . [T]his superb edition . . . [contains] copious notes and introductory material, clarifying all matters biographical, historical, political and linguistic and explaining customs, manners and diction, providing the reader with everything he needs to get the most out of this not-to-be-missed treat.--Martin Rubin ""Washington Times" "

A reprinting of a literary classic that reflects on its place in the history of literature, "The Adventures of Roderick Random" is an excellent addition to any community library collection of eighteenth century literature.--"Midwest Book Review"

This is certainly 'the most elaborate scholarly edition of "Roderick Random "yet undertaken[.]' . . . Smollett was a major talent who appealed to generations of readers and writers, and "Roderick Random "is up to the very best he ever produced.--Pat Rogers ""New Criterion" "

["The Adventures of Roderick Random"] comes with a crisply informative introduction and explanatory and textual commentaries which give every appearance of reflecting the distinction of the editorial team. . . . Like the other volumes in the series, it is handsomely produced and delightfully illustrated.--Claude Rawson ""Recent Studies in the Restoration and Eighteenth Century" "

Among the huge number of details [in the endnotes] are enough that illuminate specific passages in "Roderick Random" or establish interesting biographical connections to make the reader's effort worthwhile. . . . This is a genuinely satisfying book, handsomely produced and aesthetically pleasing, including twenty-seven well-chosen and clearly reproduced full-page illustrations.--Alfred Lutz ""1650-1850: Ideas, Aesthetics, and Inquiries in the Early Modern Era" "

While they spend more time on the novel's literary context and reception, [the editors] also devote adequate space to its cultural politics, touching on an array of issues from imperialism to homophobia . . . . the editors want to define "Roderick Random" as a work that is ahead of its time, not a product of it--its issues 'less political' than 'existential'.--Lee Kahan ""Modern Language Review" "

Although Smollett would write other hit novels, his first foray into fiction, The Adventures of Roderick Random, which has never been out of print, is in many ways his best, a must-read for those familiar with his other works and the place to start for neophytes. . . . [T]his superb edition . . . [contains] copious notes and introductory material, clarifying all matters biographical, historical, political and linguistic and explaining customs, manners and diction, providing the reader with everything he needs to get the most out of this not-to-be-missed treat.

--Martin Rubin "Washington Times "

A reprinting of a literary classic that reflects on its place in the history of literature, The Adventures of Roderick Random is an excellent addition to any community library collection of eighteenth century literature.

--Midwest Book Review

This is certainly 'the most elaborate scholarly edition of Roderick Random yet undertaken[.]' . . . Smollett was a major talent who appealed to generations of readers and writers, and Roderick Random is up to the very best he ever produced.

--Pat Rogers "New Criterion "

[The Adventures of Roderick Random] comes with a crisply informative introduction and explanatory and textual commentaries which give every appearance of reflecting the distinction of the editorial team. . . . Like the other volumes in the series, it is handsomely produced and delightfully illustrated.

--Claude Rawson "Recent Studies in the Restoration and Eighteenth Century "

Among the huge number of details [in the endnotes] are enough that illuminate specific passages in Roderick Random or establish interesting biographical connections to make the reader's effort worthwhile. . . . This is a genuinely satisfying book, handsomely produced and aesthetically pleasing, including twenty-seven well-chosen and clearly reproduced full-page illustrations.

--Alfred Lutz "1650-1850: Ideas, Aesthetics, and Inquiries in the Early Modern Era "

While they spend more time on the novel's literary context and reception, [the editors] also devote adequate space to its cultural politics, touching on an array of issues from imperialism to homophobia . . . . the editors want to define Roderick Random as a work that is ahead of its time, not a product of it--its issues 'less political' than 'existential'.

--Lee Kahan "Modern Language Review "

From the Back Cover

A tale of adventure and romance, it is written with great humour and panache. The memorable scenes on board ship, which provide an invaluable picture of the British sailor of the day, are drawn from Smollett's personal experience as a surgeon's mate in the navy.

Edition details

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0199552347
• ISBN 13: 9780199552344
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 528
• Editor: Boucé Paul-Gabriel