At the Margins of the Renaissance

Giancarlo Maiorino explores the intersection of literature and economics in At the Margins of the Renaissance, Volume 1. This scholarly work of literary criticism examines the 1554 anonymous masterpiece, Lazarillo de Tormes, through the lens of econopoetics. Rather than focusing on noble heroes, the text analyzes how the picaresque narrative reflects the survival struggles of ordinary people within a corrupt Renaissance society. Maiorino investigates how literary and economic modes of production interact, offering a fresh perspective on the origins of the novel.

This volume serves as a vital resource for students of Spanish history, Renaissance culture, and semiotics and theory. By examining the culture of indigence at the peripheries of society, Maiorino challenges traditional views regarding the rise of the novel. At the Margins of the Renaissance, Volume 1 provides deep insights into how early prose challenged authoritarian ambitions and offered visions of escape. It is a significant contribution to the study of European history and literary theory.