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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
In my retirement I have decided to add comic books to my reading lists. I'm fond of most of the superheroes I read about. Now if I went just a bit mad, put on some tights and a cape, and headed out to set the world right, then I would be just like Don Quixote. I needed this analogy to put this ancient novel into perspective since much reference is given to books of chivalry featuring the exploits of various knights errant. Prior to this, aside from the Camelot stories, I did not know these chivalry books were a thing.
I was surprised at how comical, and mean, this book is. In the first part, Don Quixote, and his hapless lacky/friend/squire Sancho Panza get into their own hilarious hijinks. But in the second part, the two are teased and tortured by nearly everyone they meet. Sometimes this is funny but often it is quite sad. The pair's exploits are renowed, thanks to the publication of the first part of this book and the release of a fictional second part, and this seems to give everyone license to mess with them.
This translation, while I can not attest to its accuracy, was very well done, as I could relate to the narrative with little difficulty. I very much enjoyed the first part, despite its making fun of mental illness, but I thought the second part was tedious as it was just one mean-spirited practicle joke after another, mostly at Sancho's expense. Part I = 5 stars, Part II = 3 stars means a 4 star average.
I was surprised at how comical, and mean, this book is. In the first part, Don Quixote, and his hapless lacky/friend/squire Sancho Panza get into their own hilarious hijinks. But in the second part, the two are teased and tortured by nearly everyone they meet. Sometimes this is funny but often it is quite sad. The pair's exploits are renowed, thanks to the publication of the first part of this book and the release of a fictional second part, and this seems to give everyone license to mess with them.
This translation, while I can not attest to its accuracy, was very well done, as I could relate to the narrative with little difficulty. I very much enjoyed the first part, despite its making fun of mental illness, but I thought the second part was tedious as it was just one mean-spirited practicle joke after another, mostly at Sancho's expense. Part I = 5 stars, Part II = 3 stars means a 4 star average.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a really beautiful edition; I love Chris Riddell's art, and it perfectly suited the story. I didn't realize quite how ridiculous the original story was. Martin Jenkins' translation and adaptation stays true to the original in plot and tone, while making the language much more accessible and understandable for the modern young reader. I certainly laughed out loud many times. Highly recommend this version if you just want to know the story without having to slog through the original.
Interesting book, but not one that I really "enjoyed" too much. It is quite long and I really only enjoyed the second half (covering the second novel of Don Quixote) rather than the whole piece. I will say Edith Grossman's translation is very, very good and I enjoyed the wit of the story. I just found some of the repetiveness of certain elements slightly offputting. I think, as this is quite satirical, this was the intention of Miguel de Cervantes to hiighlight the tropes of chivarly tales but, after the sixth time of him recounting a story about some faux-princess losing her husband, it started to wear thin.
I would still say it is worth reading especially considering its influence on fiction. It uses a lot of elements that are almost baked into novels now and it is pretty funny with some quips that did make me laugh. However, due to its length and repetiveness, I just come away from it feeling a little tired; I was definitely glad to finish it.
I would still say it is worth reading especially considering its influence on fiction. It uses a lot of elements that are almost baked into novels now and it is pretty funny with some quips that did make me laugh. However, due to its length and repetiveness, I just come away from it feeling a little tired; I was definitely glad to finish it.
A book that has been on my ‘to read’ list for ages, which I approached tentatively as an obligation but soon found myself enjoying as a diverting read. This is not the place for another plot summary or literary analysis. Don Quixote can be read at many levels from an interest in the unusual structure and debate about the unreliable narrator, to enjoyment of the send-up of all the notions of chivalry - poor Don Quixote’s obsession, to appreciation of the comedy. I particularly enjoyed Sancho Panza’s ruminations and only wished I could have read the original Spanish version in order to better appreciate the many puns, meticulously indicated in Grossman’s translation. For anyone, like me, who has been intimidated by the length of the two volumes of Don Quixote’s adventures (940 pages in the edition I read), I recommend that they take the plunge. It is unexpectedly refreshing!
adventurous
slow-paced
“When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies? Perhaps to be too practical is madness. To surrender dreams — this may be madness. Too much sanity may be madness — and maddest of all: to see life as it is, and not as it should be!”
― Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote
― Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote