"The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes" is a Spanish novella published in 1554. It tells the story of Lazarillo, a young boy born to poor parents, who becomes a picaresque hero. As he navigates life, he serves various masters, each representing different social classes and moral failings, which exposes the harsh realities of 16th-century Spanish society. The narrative is written in the first person, allowing readers to experience Lazarillo's struggles and cleverness firsthand. The book is considered one of the first works of modern literature, highlighting themes of poverty, survival, and the quest for identity in a corrupt world.