Don Quixote (Penguin Clothbound Classics)

In the introduction to this particular translation of The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote de La Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the translator (John Rutherford) explains that, in other versions, much of the humor and the jokes are lost in translation, which the translator seeks to preserve. Apart from the many hysterical antics of Don Quixote and his loyal, if not sometimes resentful squire Sancho Panza, this great history chronicles their many adventures and mishaps and the interesting characters they meet along the way. The chapters are short, which I appreciate, because it encourages the reader to keep going. There's also other stories within it, like The Tale of the Inappropriate Curiosity that are no less engaging than the rest of the novel. What I found most amusing was the manner in which Don Quixote and Sancho Panza hurl insults at each other, whether blatant or subtle. Here's a couple of examples: "Look here, Sancho," said Don Quixote, "I swear to you by the very same oath you have just sworn to me that you are the most dim-witted squire there ever was." - Don Quixote, Part I Chapter XXV "Yes, some of your good sense is bound to stick to me," Sancho replied. "Soil that left to itself would be poor and sterile gives good yields when you manure it and you till it. What I'm trying to say is that being with you is the manure that's been spread over the barren soil of my poor wits, and the tilling is all this time I've been with you, serving you, so I'm hoping to give wonderful yields that won't be unworthy to be piled up beside the paths of good breeding that you've trodden over this feeble understanding of mine." - Sancho Panza, Part II Chapter XII Since this novel pertains heavily to knight errantry, there's a great deal of romance as well as romantic folly. The pacing of the poetry is always perfect and a delight to read, inspiring me to write my own for my wife. Although not a poem, this passage stuck with me: "I have been persecuted by enchanters, I am persecuted by enchanters, and I shall be persecuted by enchanters until they have hurled me and my noble deeds of chivalry into the deep abyss of oblivion; and they wound me where they know it hurts me most, because to deprive a knight errant of his lady is to deprive him of the eyes with which he sees, the sun by which he is lighted and the food by which he is sustained. I have said it many times before, and now I shall say it again: the knight errant without a lady is like a tree without leaves, a building without foundations, and a shadow without the body that throws it." - Don Quixote, Part II Chapter XXXII Also present throughout the book are the many famous proverbs and aphorisms of Sancho Panza, which seem to delight everyone except Don Quixote who is rather annoyed by them. A few include: "Naked I was born, and naked I remain, so neither lose nor gain." "Often where there are hooks, there isn't any bacon to hang on them." "If the pitcher hits the stone or the stone hits the pitcher, it’s bad for the pitcher. Then, of course, there is the famous scene involving Don Quixote fighting windmills (as he believes they are giants) and losing! This account happens at nearly the beginning of the book and is followed by many more enjoyable antics. If you're interested in reading this great history as it is referred throughout, I recommend this version, or if you're fluent in Spanish, reading it in it's original splendor.

Great read, it was funny and that was unexpected. I don’t usually think of classics as funny.

Book came packed with care, in great mint condition. Very beautiful design on this copy.

Alas, several pages of my copy of the book are missing! Pages 451-498 are gone! Then, when you get to p.546, the next page is another 499 until another 546. After that, the rest of the pages are fine. I've read the whole book, and pages 451-498 are nowhere to be found in it. Otherwise, it's a beautifully bound book for a very good price, and the translation is excellent. I ordered it in September, didn't read it until this month (Feb.), when I found the mistake. I suppose it's just my copy, not a general problem with the whole printed edition? Others don't seem to have this strange problem. Don Quixote might blame all mischief he suffers on enchanters and sorcerers, but the readers know that cruel people are the ones persecuting and pranking him and his faithful squire Sancho Panza. They punch down on the already afflicted - the poor, ignorant and mad. And, sometimes, what looks like mischief is just bad luck. In this case, I think it's just a mistake that slipped past quality control. I can read the missing pages - in a different translation - online, but I wish my copy had all the chapters and pages. Still, it's a beautiful edition of the great Don Quixote by the sublime Cervantes.

A great looking little book for the library

“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized.” - Daniel Burnham This quote summarizes the key aspect of Don Quixote that I enjoy so much. The power of imagination to move us beyond are pre-defined selves and create a world for ourselves as we see fit. This is of course idealistic and the realities of life prove routinely that obstacles will often interrupt us along the way. I first read this book in 1998 in college. Back then I took from it mostly the idea of the conflict of self identity matched up against outside perceptions and expectations. That interpretation was particularly important for me as a black male in an American culture that routinely tries to define for me, who I am and what I am capable of; despite all my wildest dreams that crave more. In this second reading, many of Cervantes’ genius literary triumphs really jumped out at me. His subtle and hilarious use of “Breaking the 4th wall.” The use of all of the subplots and characters to illustrate the crossroads of culture, Moorish and Christian, Chivalry and Rule of Law, along with Romanticism and Realism. Cervantes often self-references the labyrinth of layers upon layers of deep social and literary commentary of the times in which he was writing. Some of which, particularly the class, religious, and racial turmoil remain with us today. Still, it remains the narrative about what or who is the ultimate authority on what and/or how we define the self that most intrigues me. In truth, the idea of the self is a complex formula. We are the careful balance of experience, wit, luck, and a little madness. Outside perceptions are then layered on this amalgamation of individual chemistry. This combination results in the same person waffling between genius and madman, when viewed in a myriad of different ways by an array of different eyes. Don Quixote is the vehicle by Which Cervantes masks scalding social criticism couched in the persona of a mad man. This sprawling novel that traverses the canyons between madness and sanity is a story of unbridled experience. We all want to live lives full adventure, but the world and our “place” in it often keeps us within limits that say this is ok and this is crazy. I love this journey because I believe that if we, like Don Quixote, live life as we define it, the stories would have been worth it.

The book arrived timely and in very good condition and what can you say it’s Don Quixote! A classic.

Great printing of this book

I'm happy with the book. The only thing that was disappointing to me is that there is some damage to the book. The cover had a bent corner and several silvering spots, which is probably because of the packaging which wasn't too protective of any content inside of it. refer to photos for an example.

Don Quixote is a literary landmark that blends satire, adventure, and philosophical depth. Cervantes plays with narrative voice, authorship, and metafiction. The novel even references itself in Part II. It explores the tension between idealism and realism, the nature of madness, and the power of storytelling. It’s a book that offering layers of meaning beneath its comic surface and a cultural touchstone. Don Quixote and Sancho form one of literature’s most enduring partnerships—Quixote the deluded dreamer, Sancho the grounded pragmatist.

Un regalo per mia figlia molto apprezzato.

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