Lazarillo de Tormes
Overview
The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes and of His Fortunes and Adversities is a Spanish novella
, published anonymously because of its heretical
content. It was published simultaneously in two cities, in 1554 in Alcalá de Henares
, Spain (seven years after Cervantes was born there), and, in 1555 in Antwerp, Flanders, then under Spanish rule, and where the similarly picaresque book Till Eulenspiegel
had been published in 1529 and become popular.
Novella
A novella is a written, fictional, prose narrative usually longer than a novelette but shorter than a novel. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Nebula Awards for science fiction define the novella as having a word count between 17,500 and 40,000...
, published anonymously because of its heretical
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
content. It was published simultaneously in two cities, in 1554 in Alcalá de Henares
Alcalá de Henares
Alcalá de Henares , meaning Citadel on the river Henares, is a Spanish city, whose historical centre is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, and one of the first bishoprics founded in Spain...
, Spain (seven years after Cervantes was born there), and, in 1555 in Antwerp, Flanders, then under Spanish rule, and where the similarly picaresque book Till Eulenspiegel
Till Eulenspiegel
Till Eulenspiegel was an impudent trickster figure originating in Middle Low German folklore. His tales were disseminated in popular printed editions narrating a string of lightly connected episodes that outlined his picaresque career, primarily in Germany, the Low Countries and France...
had been published in 1529 and become popular.
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