The Adventures of Roderick Random

“We travelled half-a-mile without exchanging one word; my thoughts being engrossed by the knavery of the world, to which I must be daily exposed, and the contemplation of my finances, which began sensibly to diminish.”

The Adventures of Roderick Random is a picaresque novel by celebrated Scottish author Tobias Smollett, published in 1748. It is based in part on Smollett's experience as a naval-surgeon's mate in the Royal Navy in 1741.

The story follows the titular Roderick or “Rory”, left to survive on his wits alone, as he embarks on a series of amusing adventures - or misadventures - on his travels from London and Bath to France, the West Indies, West Africa and South America. A celebrated humorous fiction classic, and an unmissable read.