{"product_id":"paperblanks-picaresque-hardback-guest-book-plain-144-pages-pb9878-2","title":"Paperblanks Picaresque Hardback Guest Book – Plain, 144 Pages","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGather wishes, memories and signatures from weddings, celebrations and special occasions in this Picaresque hardback guest book from Paperblanks, with 144 plain pages.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe archetype of the appealing anti-hero is encapsulated in Gil Blas, the star of Alain-René Lesage’s 18th-century picaresque novel. Lesage’s work was influenced by the story \u003cem\u003eLazarillo de Tormes,\u003c\/em\u003e a Spanish novella published anonymously in 1554. The cover of an 1846 double publication of those works is reproduced here.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe Story Behind the Design\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDon Quixote\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSamuel Pickwick\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSebastian Dangerfield\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eHuckleberry Finn\u003c\/em\u003e... the archetype of the rascally yet endearing rogue is one with which we are all familiar, though we may not know its origins. And perhaps no character encapsulates what it means to be an appealing anti-hero more than \u003cem\u003eGil Blas\u003c\/em\u003e, the star of Alain-René Lesage’s picaresque novel by the same name.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePicaresque novels blend elements of comedy and satire in their depictions of a lovable charlatan. Published in the early 1700s, \u003cem\u003eGil Blas\u003c\/em\u003e has been described by Edgar Allan Poe as being among “the finest narratives in the world” and was a key item on Thomas Jefferson’s reading list. And though it has come to define the genre, Lesage’s work itself was influenced by the story \u003cem\u003eLazarillo de Tormes\u003c\/em\u003e, a novella published anonymously in 1554. This Spanish work is what gives us the term “picaresque,” stemming from \u003cem\u003epicaresca\u003c\/em\u003e, meaning “rascal,” and it established the key features of a “picaro” character – a lower-class person surviving by their own wits in what is seen as a corrupt or unjust society.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese two foundational works of the picaresque genre were published together in 1846, and our cover design recreates that publication’s binding. May the spirits of the charming rapscallions \u003cem\u003eGil Blas\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eLázaro\u003c\/em\u003e inspire you to go rogue and ramble on in your own quixotic adventures.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal artwork:\u003c\/strong\u003e Book binding containing Gil Blas and Lazarillo de Tormes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1846 binding, 16th- and 18th-century stories\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e France\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e Guest Book – 225 × 180 × 15 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterior:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 144 (72 sheets)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePaper:\u003c\/strong\u003e 120 gsm acid-free cream laid paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCover:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Elastic band\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smyth sewn – lies flat and stays durable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdge printing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCorners:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rounded\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesign:\u003c\/strong\u003e Picaresque\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSatin ribbon marker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e100% recycled binder boards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecorative printed cover paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThreaded stitching and glue, as needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCloth headbands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcid-free paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 526 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct code:\u003c\/strong\u003e PB9878-2 | \u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9781439798782\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAbout Paperblanks\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePaperblanks works with museums, libraries, galleries and artists around the world to faithfully reproduce remarkable artwork, historic bindings and treasured manuscripts. Every book is made to last, with binder boards crafted from 100% recycled materials, and the back endpaper tells the fascinating story behind the cover design and credits its creators.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paperblanks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54386235310408,"sku":"PB9878-2","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0920\/5114\/5032\/files\/9781439798782_Front_HighRes.png?v=1792779988","url":"https:\/\/shop.penandpaper.co.uk\/products\/paperblanks-picaresque-hardback-guest-book-plain-144-pages-pb9878-2","provider":"The Pen and Paper Stationery Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}