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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Translation was excellent and made the book very approachable. Really a lot of fun to read and recommend highly.
There's a reason people still read this novel, 400 years after it was written. There's also a reason that people tend to only read the first part (or even just excerpts)--it's long and it's repetitive in its antics and stories! What I think makes this novel still relevant to a modern audience is 1. the dialogue is funny, touching, revealing, and very genuine (even when Don Quixote is sermonizing); and 2. it captures human nature so well--there is nothing new under the sun! Politicians are still slippery--some people in positions of power don't deserve it--some uneducated people are worthy--every society has its in-groups and out-groups--some people live by high ideals (delusions?)--women have a much different experience in life than men, etc, etc, etc.
The second part is worth reading because it's a response to a "false" sequel that another person wrote (17th century fan fiction, someone has suggested), and that gets incorporated into the story in a funny way. The awareness that the book is a book is also fascinating, in a time when the "holy brotherhood" was burning books, no less.
I wouldn't have finished this if I hadn't committed to a week of morning meeting with colleagues to discuss, but it definitely is the type of book that should be savored, talked about, and thought about.
The second part is worth reading because it's a response to a "false" sequel that another person wrote (17th century fan fiction, someone has suggested), and that gets incorporated into the story in a funny way. The awareness that the book is a book is also fascinating, in a time when the "holy brotherhood" was burning books, no less.
I wouldn't have finished this if I hadn't committed to a week of morning meeting with colleagues to discuss, but it definitely is the type of book that should be savored, talked about, and thought about.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Best jokes.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“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.
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.
Es impresionante como este personaje sigue trascendiendo y aun hoy en dia nos podemos ver reflejados en el
I’ll be honest, I spaced out for 80% of that. It had its moments, but they are few and far between. I always feel a little bad for rating classics because I’m really rating my enjoyment of them, not their contribution to society. I will say there’s a great speech at the beginning on feminism that really surprised me.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Whew. Started reading this a decade ago and restarted this year. Funny, but sooo long. I really enjoy learning what was contemporary at the time when classics were written. The puns and proverbs of Sancho are an ongoing joke that everyone is amused by.