This study takes a look at the Picaresque genre as seen in three important Latin American novels. Gordana Yovanovich considers how the genre lends itself to play and in turn how play and the Picaresque are characteristically Latin American ways of addressing modernist concerns.

This Study Takes a Fresh Look At The Picaresque Genre As Seen In Three important Latin American novels: Lazarillo de Tormes, Libro de Manuel and Match Ball. Gordana Yovanovich considers how the genre lends itself to play and, in turn, how play and the picaresque are characteristically Latin American ways of addressing Modernist concerns. Beginning with a thorough discussion of the theory of the picaresque, Yovanovich then turns to a reading of the three novels. She views spontaneous play as the organizing principle of Lazarillo de Tormes and shows how, in Cortazar's theoretical novel, Libro de Manuel, the picaresque mode of seeing the world strengthens the self and captures the dynamic relationship between self and other. Finally, she explores Skarmeta's Match Ball as a intellectual concepts. Cortazar's fictional depiction of Cortazar's theoretical and Skarmeta's novels, says Yovanovich, develop the picaresque by incorporating love themes, which are usually absent from this genre. This insightful study presents new and convincing perspectives on an intriguing literary form, showing that, 'in the picaresque world, humour, laughter and play meet and open a door to a complex human and social reality.'