"The picaresque novel (Spanish: \"picaresca,\" from \"p\u00EDcaro,\" for \"rogue\" or \"rascal\") is a genre of prose fiction which depicts the adventures of a roguish hero of low social class who lives by his wits in a corrupt society. Picaresque novels typically adopt a realistic style, with elements of comedy and satire. This style of novel originated in 16th-century Spain and flourished throughout Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries."@en .