A picaresque novel is a literary genre that depicts the adventures of a roguish protagonist who lives by his or her wits. This type of fiction is known for its episodic structure, humor, satire, and social commentary. Some synonyms for the term picaresque include rogue, rascal, scoundrel, and vagabond. Other related terms include adventure, quest, escapade, and odyssey. Picaresque novels often focus on the lower classes and their struggles to survive, reflecting the social and economic instability of the times in which they were written. Examples of famous picaresque novels include "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes, "Tom Jones" by Henry Fielding, and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain.