The Adventures of Roderick Random (1748) is a picaresque novel by Scottish author Tobias Smollett, largely based on his own experiences as a naval surgeon. The story follows Roderick Random, a young Scottish orphan mistreated by his heartless family, who sets out for London to seek his fortune. Facing poverty, betrayal, and misfortune, he becomes a surgeon's apprentice and later joins the Royal Navy, where he witnesses the brutality and corruption of maritime life. Through vivid misadventures—including shipwreck, imprisonment, and deception—Roderick endures hardship with wit and resilience. Eventually, he discovers his long-lost father and achieves happiness through marriage to his beloved Narcissa.
