Buscón

Buscón is a satirical picaresque novel written by Francisco de Quevedo and published in 1626. The full title of the work is La vida del Buscón llamado don Pablos, ejemplo de vagamundos y espejo de tacaños. It tells the story of the life of Don Pablos, a young man who attempts to rise above his humble origins through various schemes and dishonest dealings.

The novel is characterized by its sharp wit, complex wordplay, and often harsh and cynical portrayal of society. Quevedo uses the character of Pablos to expose the hypocrisy, corruption, and moral decay of 17th-century Spain. Pablos's attempts at upward mobility are consistently thwarted by his own poor choices and the unforgiving social structures he encounters.

Buscón is considered a major work of Spanish literature and a prime example of the picaresque genre. Its enduring influence lies in its vivid depiction of poverty, its exploration of themes such as social climbing and deception, and Quevedo's masterful use of language to create a darkly humorous and often disturbing narrative. The novel's unflinching realism and critical perspective have made it a subject of study and admiration for centuries.