The protagonist, Roderick Random, is thrust into a series of precarious situations as he navigates the rigid social hierarchies of 18th-century Britain. Driven by a desire for fortune and social standing, Random encounters a succession of exploitative figures, ranging from naval officers to corrupt officials. His objective is to secure his place in the world while surviving the physical dangers of the sea and the logical traps of a class-conscious society. The narrative is presented in the first-person, utilizing a picaresque framework that follows the protagonist through various episodic encounters across different geographic locations.

Readers and critics often identify this work as a foundational example of the picaresque novel in English literature. Discussion frequently centers on the balance between the protagonist's cynical survival instincts and the harsh, often grotesque, reality of the world he inhabits. Critics highlight the effectiveness of the author's satirical focus on institutional corruption, particularly within the naval service. Many readers note that the pacing is rapid and episodic, prioritizing a sequence of varied encounters over a singular, tightly woven plot. The work remains a subject of study for its influence on the development of the realistic novel and its unflinching look at social stratification.