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bookworm_vevans's review against another edition
It was written in a way I didn't enjoy, and the main character is so delusional that it makes the book hard to stomach.
elfiepants's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
had42's review against another edition
I liked the book, it's funny and has a good idea behind it but I read it translated to hebrew and the translation made it very hard to understand and the amount of effort I had to put in to understand what was written just wasn't worth it.
fakk3uzi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
georgeoglesby's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
anaheeta's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
angelsrgorgeous's review against another edition
3.0
Everyone and their dog in Spain said this was the world's best book...(I wonder why...?) and tried to force me to read it, so, I'm finally getting it out of the way. Truly, it seems like a simple compilation of ridiculously exaggerated stories told around nightly fires, but it's definitely entertaining. Hilarious so far.
midwifereading's review against another edition
5.0
"...the more truthful the fiction, the better it is, and the more probable and possible, the more pleasing. Fictional tales must engage the minds of those who read them, and by restraining exaggeration and moderating impossibility, they enthrall the spirit and thereby astonish, captivate, delight, and entertain, allowing wonder and joy to move together at the same pace; none of these things can be accomplished by fleeing verisimilitude and mimesis which together constitute perfect writing." pg. 412
Don Quixote lives up to this golden standard in this incredibly relatable, self-aware, gloriously humorous adventure through the Spanish countryside.
All I knew about Don Quixote prior to reading this was something about fighting windmills. Boy, was I in for the most surprising read of my life!
Though it was originally published in two parts in 1605 and 1615, this book could very well have been written today. Ultimately, people don't change, though cultures do. Over and over again, I found myself laughing at the absurdities that are so relevant, even now. (Did I write these down? Nope.) I loved every word on every one of its 940 pages.
One thing I really appreciated about this particular translation are her footnotes. It really helps to understand the references and wordplay that don't easily translate to English or 21st century culture. Her note at the beginning was great! Skip the introduction by Howard Bloom though -- VERY academic and unnecessary to enjoy the story.
I did also read this on audiobook at the same time, and the narrator does a great job! It really helped me take it in a bit easier, and I think I retained more of the flavor of the story that way. Highly recommend!
I can't leave a review without mentioning Cervantes' digs at another author who published his own 2nd part before Cervantes could publish the true 2nd part. The author incorporates this "apocryphal" 2nd part into the story brilliantly, and takes great pleasure in taking the false book and its writer over the coals. He's merciless! It's incredibly funny! No copyright laws? No problem. Just thumb your nose at the guy and make him an object of ridicule in your next book.
Don Quixote, the title character, is a wonderfully complex hero. And he is, indeed, a hero. Selfless, kind, brave, true, and loyal. The fact that he's utterly insane has no bearing on his good character, though it does get him into scrapes that leave him quite literally battered and broken multiple times. Everyone he meets, with few exceptions, recognizes his sincerity and even his intelligence and wisdom, though it's obvious he has become delusional. I love him dearly!
Sancho Panza, squire to Don Quixote, at once simpleminded and clever, is absolutely hilarious and profound. He is the perfect complement to Don Quixote, and only enriches the story by his very presence. Him and his little grey donkey, of course. His unwavering loyalty to his master, maintained in spite of his strong sense of self-preservation, is the source for so much amusement and relatability!
***SPOILER AHEAD***
The rest of the cast of characters are Shakesperean in their richness, and sparkle delightfully. There are no true villains in this story, save Don Quixote's broken mind, which he vanquishes in the end.
He claims his victory only in the last chapter, in which he returns home after being defeated in a joust by a concerned friend longing to help cure Don Quixote by bringing him home. The cure is affected only by this defeat and an illness that then claims his life.
I was devastated.
I was hoping for a "riding off into the sunset" ending, but it wasn't to be. I was completely shaken by the final chapter, and could barely manage to read it through my tears. I haven't ugly cried over a book in the longest time. I don't remember the last time I sobbed like this over a fictional character!
His death is romantic, poetic, and dignified. It's fitting and beautiful. And made me so upset! Even my husband, who usually pokes fun, was concerned about me and tried to comfort me.
Anyway. If I could give it 6 out of 5 stars, I would. Life-changing novel. Absolutely gorgeous and worth every minute.
Don Quixote lives up to this golden standard in this incredibly relatable, self-aware, gloriously humorous adventure through the Spanish countryside.
All I knew about Don Quixote prior to reading this was something about fighting windmills. Boy, was I in for the most surprising read of my life!
Though it was originally published in two parts in 1605 and 1615, this book could very well have been written today. Ultimately, people don't change, though cultures do. Over and over again, I found myself laughing at the absurdities that are so relevant, even now. (Did I write these down? Nope.) I loved every word on every one of its 940 pages.
One thing I really appreciated about this particular translation are her footnotes. It really helps to understand the references and wordplay that don't easily translate to English or 21st century culture. Her note at the beginning was great! Skip the introduction by Howard Bloom though -- VERY academic and unnecessary to enjoy the story.
I did also read this on audiobook at the same time, and the narrator does a great job! It really helped me take it in a bit easier, and I think I retained more of the flavor of the story that way. Highly recommend!
I can't leave a review without mentioning Cervantes' digs at another author who published his own 2nd part before Cervantes could publish the true 2nd part. The author incorporates this "apocryphal" 2nd part into the story brilliantly, and takes great pleasure in taking the false book and its writer over the coals. He's merciless! It's incredibly funny! No copyright laws? No problem. Just thumb your nose at the guy and make him an object of ridicule in your next book.
Don Quixote, the title character, is a wonderfully complex hero. And he is, indeed, a hero. Selfless, kind, brave, true, and loyal. The fact that he's utterly insane has no bearing on his good character, though it does get him into scrapes that leave him quite literally battered and broken multiple times. Everyone he meets, with few exceptions, recognizes his sincerity and even his intelligence and wisdom, though it's obvious he has become delusional. I love him dearly!
Sancho Panza, squire to Don Quixote, at once simpleminded and clever, is absolutely hilarious and profound. He is the perfect complement to Don Quixote, and only enriches the story by his very presence. Him and his little grey donkey, of course. His unwavering loyalty to his master, maintained in spite of his strong sense of self-preservation, is the source for so much amusement and relatability!
***SPOILER AHEAD***
The rest of the cast of characters are Shakesperean in their richness, and sparkle delightfully. There are no true villains in this story, save Don Quixote's broken mind, which he vanquishes in the end.
He claims his victory only in the last chapter, in which he returns home after being defeated in a joust by a concerned friend longing to help cure Don Quixote by bringing him home. The cure is affected only by this defeat and an illness that then claims his life.
I was devastated.
I was hoping for a "riding off into the sunset" ending, but it wasn't to be. I was completely shaken by the final chapter, and could barely manage to read it through my tears. I haven't ugly cried over a book in the longest time. I don't remember the last time I sobbed like this over a fictional character!
His death is romantic, poetic, and dignified. It's fitting and beautiful. And made me so upset! Even my husband, who usually pokes fun, was concerned about me and tried to comfort me.
Anyway. If I could give it 6 out of 5 stars, I would. Life-changing novel. Absolutely gorgeous and worth every minute.
aixu_2303's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.75