Don Quixote (Usborne classics) by Henry Brook

Usborne Classics Retold

by Henry Brook

update

Genres: Fiction, Classics

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Olivia's Bookish Places & Spaces · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might be slightly biased here as I love the Spanish language and culture but here we go:

As any student of Spanish knows, Don Quixote is a major figure associated with Hispanic culture and the story is a must read for anyone studying Spanish and/or world literature.

I read this children's version of "Don Quixote" several years ago in my 7th grade Spanish class. The writing is accessible for middle grade students and the author manages to capture the essence of Cervantes' words and ideas which really draws students into the world of medieval Spain and connect with the loveable yet eccentric character of Don Quixote. I would highly recommend this one to beginning students of the Spanish language as it will provide a solid insight into the world of Hispanic literature and culture.

[Amrendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don Quixote, written by Cervantes in 1605 is a breezy racy read and an amazing classic work of fiction.

The book depicts the adventures of a 50 year old man who has the delusion of being a knight - Don Quixote de la Mancha. In the true spirit of upholding knightly chivalry and honour, our madcap hidalgo battles windmills, bandits, police, mountain mad-men, lions and a flock of sheep thinking them to be his enchanted enemies and giants and ogres. To accompany him on his adventures is his gluttonous squire Sancho Panza and their quests are as hilarious as they seem unbelievable. Across his journeys, God is with Don Quixote as fortune favours the brave and the noble.

The book is about the power of dreams and conviction. It's about the romanticism of idealism and the power it possesses. Man can be whatever he can think to be, at whatever age. In his madness, Don Quixote, of the virtuous and noble heart and the best and bravest of intentions, performs feats that ordinary men can only dream of. In a funny and light way, Don Quixote conveys this positive message so convincingly that for four hundred years the story has been read and re-read across generations and his spirit shines on, gloriously across the sun-scorched plains of Southern Spain.

The knight's tale, a parody of chivalrous tales and touching on comedy, drama, tragedy and adventure, forces us to question how we see ourselves, how we decide what is real and what is make-believe. It reaffirms the belief that if we want something badly enough, and we dare to dream of it, then we just might succeed.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read an abridged version by Usborne books. I read it with my daughter for school. We loved it. Only 144 pages, so I am sure I lost the true literary style and form of the original, but I didn't fall asleep so, that was good.

[Alexia Figueroa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muchas personas hemos oido cosas de Don Quijote. Unos han oido solo sus cualidades, que era aventurero, atrevido, y la mayoría de las veces valiente. Otros que era un loco, el quien tenía a un amigo que más parecía su sombra ya que hacia todo lo que Don Quijote le decía, su amigo Sancho Panza. Pero en realidad no todos hemos sabido su historia, si no solo parte de sus aventuras y características, lo que lo hacían Don Quijote.

Este libro clásico trata sobre Don Quijote de la mancha. Un hombre quien leía muchas cosas de fantasía, como de princesas, castillos dragones, magia y caballeros. Después de leer mucho sobre esas cosas de la imaginación, el empezó a creer que todo era real, y el para creyendo que era un caballero. El verdaderamente creía que era un héroe que iba a salvar a mucha gente ayudando a los pobres y los que no eran tan privilegiados, y obviamente conquistar a una mujer el cual el creía ser su princesa, que en realidad es una de las personas mas humildes. En toda esta locura, el decide que un empleado suyo seria su escudero, y tendría el nombre de Sancho Panza. Su escudero lo acompañaba a todos lados sin saber que era lo que estaban haciendo, ya casi ni se molestaba por preguntar, solo hacia lo que Don Quijote quería. Van por muchas aventuras juntos y se van por caminos diferentes hasta el final.

Este libro nos demuestra muchas enseñanzas. Como por ejemplo, es bueno tener tu perspectiva sobre el mundo, verla de otra manera, solamente con tus propios ojos. Nada es lo que aparenta ser, tu le puedes dar un significado totalmente diferente a algo que los demás ya tienen con propósito y definición. Es importante que si crees en algo, lo tengas claro y verdaderamente creas en eso. Creerte capaz de muchas cosas, sueña en grande y constante. Pero lo mas importante, nunca cambies por alguien, ya sea porque no le caes bien o porque quieres caerle bien entonces pretendes ser alguien quien verdaderamente no eres.

Yo le daría a este libro 5/5 estrellas, ya que no es el libro original porque creo que no lo hubiera disfrutado tanto ya que no lo hubiera entendido muy bien. Me gusto mucho y creo que por mas insignificante que pueda parecer o sin sentido, al final deja muchas enseñanzas que siempre le van a ayudar a uno a ser buena persona. Yo le recomendaría este libro a cualquiera ya que aparte de ser un clásico, como dije antes deja enseñanzas importantes y por las cuales vale la pena leer el libro.

[Carmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly funny! I had no idea this novel was the original basis for lol-ing and rotfl-ing. It is incredibly humorous, and Don Quixote will live forever in literature because he's silly with such a passion, wit, and a point (point being commentary on social classes, economic issues...doesn't quite get there with feminism but hey, it's the 17th century so we have time for that to come).

Obviously, this particular version is much abridged (MUCH, MUCH) and honestly, that's ok. There's very little reason to read the whole thing, unless you are a masochist, and that's also ok. It is a long book, and long books aren't for everyone.

Kudos to Henry Brook who managed to make this shortened version carry the same levity and deliberation as the original. That is not at all a simple task.

Highly recommended. Possibly for children, also.

[Vj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good basic rendition of the classic. Missed a lot of the funny wordplay though.

[Geraldine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and entertaining story. I have seen the musical several times. It was good to read the Don's story and learn the background.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, the original is more for adults while this edition including illustrations is great for readers of younger ages.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but adequate version of the classic.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading with Sasha

[Bernard Fournier · Rating 4 out of 5]

J’ai beaucoup aimé ceci! Je me lancerai bientôt dans le projet de lire l’oeuvre originale bientôt! 😄

[Baca Buku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Petualangan yang seru dari kesatria kita, Don Quixote.

[Shwetha Kiran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Stockton reading challenge which made me revisit my childhood memories and read a novel which I devoured as a child. I still remember frantically searching for books that I could read among the heap of old newspaper at the paper recycling shop during my school days. I got all excited when I found this amazing novel mainly because of its reputation during the time of revolution (We were reading all about the revolution, Cervantes’s Don Quixote and Dante’s Divine Comedy at school and I could boast that I read one of them!!) It didn’t fail to live up to my expectation then and it didn’t fail now either.

It’s amazing, how a person could create such unique characters. Knight and the Squire who are made for each other with their lively conversations. It’s hard not to be respectful of the Knight, Don Quixote de la Mancha, Knight of the Lions, formerly known as Knight of the Long face. Mad yet polite, Brave yet humorous... The novel, although written 400 years ago, still feels fresh as grass, and so relevant. There is the right dose of Courage, insanity, humour, heart-warming nobility and striking reality. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Long live the knight errant! Long live the Squire!! And long live Cervantes!!!

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Adaptations such as this one are why I'm not a fan of adaptations. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza appear everywhere in literature, so now my kids have some idea what kind of characters they are. But there were many modern phrases (Sancho worried he would be fried like a potato chip??). Worse, the adapter felt the need to insult our intelligence by adding explanations of Cervantes' subtle humor and irony within the text itself.

[Iwombat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't remember which version/translation I read, but reading this very modern, dare I say hip, book, I was reinforced in my sense that humanity has advanced little in the intervening 500 years, in wisdom, in humanity. Maybe if more people read this book, and books like it, we can do a little better.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very long book with moments of genius and moments of, well, not genius. But I would say it’s an epic worth reading...it’s referenced ALL the time. Just be sure you are not wanting to read a lot of other books when you start it because it takes a while to get through.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read this book aloud to my three elementary age children and we enjoyed it! This adaptation is easy and fun but not dumbed down. This is my first Usborne abridged classic and it won't be my last.

[Mary Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like this book the first time I read it as te niece, housekeeper, curate and barber feel that books are evil. This man who becomes Don Quixote, wants to be a famous knight, because he had read so many books on the adventures. He is a bit touched and needed to be kept from harm.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don Quixote wants to be a knight like the ones he read about. His faithful squire goes with him, not always willingly, through many misadventures and misunderstandings.
Funny, old humour, entertaining.

[yani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't wait to read the original full version of this.

[Nedu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Tale and a must read!