The Devil Upon Two Sticks

The Devil Upon Two Sticks follows a Spanish student who frees a demon trapped inside a glass bottle. The demon, in gratitude, grants the student the ability to see through walls and roofs of Madrid's buildings, revealing the private lives of its inhabitants. The narrative structure consists of episodes and vignettes as the demon leads the student through the city at night. They observe scenes from all levels of society - from nobility to commoners - witnessing secrets, deceptions, and human nature in its various forms. The demon provides commentary on what they witness, sharing insights about human behavior and society's hypocrisies. Their nighttime journey through Madrid becomes a tour of human folly and vice. This satire uses supernatural elements to examine social conditions and human nature in early 18th century Spain. The text presents a critique of society while exploring themes of appearance versus reality.

Most readers note this book works best as a social satire of 18th century Madrid, though many find the episodic structure makes it hard to follow. The supernatural frame story serves mainly to enable commentary on Spanish society. Readers appreciate: - The wit and humor in critiquing social classes and professions - Historical details about daily life in Madrid - The creative device of looking into buildings to observe private moments Common criticisms: - Lack of a cohesive plot - Too many disconnected character vignettes - Translation issues in some editions - Dated references that require footnotes Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (124 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (6 reviews) Several reviewers compare it to Lesage's Gil Blas but find it less engaging. One Goodreads reviewer called it "a string of amusing but forgettable episodes." Another noted it's "more valuable as historical documentation than entertainment for modern readers."

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding A picaresque tale follows a mischievous young man through English society with social satire and moral commentary reminiscent of Lesage's style.

Gil Blas by Alain-René Lesage This companion work features a Spanish adventurer's journey through social classes with observations on human nature and societal follies.

Candide by Voltaire The protagonist's travels through Europe present philosophical critiques and social commentary through supernatural intervention and satirical encounters.

The Adventures of Roderick Random by Tobias Smollett A roguish hero navigates through various social spheres while exposing corruption and hypocrisy in eighteenth-century society.

The Sot-Weed Factor by John Barth A poet's misadventures in colonial Maryland mirror the satirical style and episodic structure of classical picaresque narratives.

🌟 Originally published in French as "Le Diable boiteux" in 1707, the novel was inspired by the Spanish work "El diablo cojuelo" by Luis Vélez de Guevara. 🌟 The story follows a demon named Asmodeus who, after being freed from a bottle, takes the protagonist on a journey across Madrid, lifting the roofs off houses to reveal the private lives and secrets of the city's inhabitants. 🌟 Lesage's work became so popular that the phrase "diable boiteux" (limping devil) entered French vocabulary as a term for someone who delights in exposing scandals and secrets. 🌟 The novel pioneered a narrative technique of observing multiple simultaneous scenes of urban life, which later influenced many writers including Charles Dickens and Honoré de Balzac. 🌟 The author, Alain-René Lesage, worked as a translator of Spanish literature before writing his own works, which helped him blend French and Spanish literary traditions in this satirical masterpiece.