Don Quixote: The Original Unabridged and Complete Edition

by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Don Quixote is a Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes. It was originally published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615. Considered a founding work of Western literature, it is often labelled as the first modern novel and one of the greatest works ever written. Don Quixote is also one of the most-translated books in the world and one of the best-selling novels of all time.The plot revolves around the adventures of a member of the lowest nobility, a hidalgo from La Mancha named Alonso Quijano, who reads so many chivalric romances that he loses his mind and decides to become a knight-errant (caballero andante) to revive chivalry and serve his nation, under the name Don Quixote de la Mancha. He recruits as his squire a simple farm labourer, Sancho Panza, who brings a unique, earthy wit to Don Quixote's lofty rhetoric. In the first part of the book, Don Quixote does not see the world for what it is and prefers to imagine that he is living out a knightly story meant for the annals of all time. However, as Salvador de Madariaga pointed out in his Guía del lector del Quijote (1972 [1926]), referring to "the Sanchification of Don Quixote and the Quixotization of Sancho", as "Sancho's spirit ascends from reality to illusion, Don Quixote's declines from illusion to reality".

1274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2023

About the author

Miguel de Cervantes y Cortinas, later Saavedra was a Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright. His novel Don Quixote is often considered his magnum opus, as well as the first modern novel.

It is assumed that Miguel de Cervantes was born in Alcalá de Henares. His father was Rodrigo de Cervantes, a surgeon of cordoban descent. Little is known of his mother Leonor de Cortinas, except that she was a native of Arganda del Rey.

In 1569, Cervantes moved to Italy, where he served as a valet to Giulio Acquaviva, a wealthy priest who was elevated to cardinal the next year. By then, Cervantes had enlisted as a soldier in a Spanish Navy infantry regiment and continued his military life until 1575, when he was captured by Algerian corsairs. He was then released on ransom from his captors by his parents and the Trinitarians, a Catholic religious order.

He subsequently returned to his family in Madrid.
In Esquivias (Province of Toledo), on 12 December 1584, he married the much younger Catalina de Salazar y Palacios (Toledo, Esquivias –, 31 October 1626), daughter of Fernando de Salazar y Vozmediano and Catalina de Palacios. Her uncle Alonso de Quesada y Salazar is said to have inspired the character of Don Quixote. During the next 20 years Cervantes led a nomadic existence, working as a purchasing agent for the Spanish Armada and as a tax collector. He suffered a bankruptcy and was imprisoned at least twice (1597 and 1602) for irregularities in his accounts. Between 1596 and 1600, he lived primarily in Seville. In 1606, Cervantes settled in Madrid, where he remained for the rest of his life.
Cervantes died in Madrid on April 23, 1616.
-Copied from Wikipedia

Reviews

[David Perkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d say this is closer to 3.5 stars. I completely understand why this book is considered a classic due its importance in the history of literature. However, it did feel like it dragged on for a bit too long. The book largely consists of dialogue between characters, and while that is great for developing those characters, it hurts the overall action experience. It really felt like not much happened in this book and I could summarize it in a few sentences. The themes found within it are still applicable today and there were times when I genuinely laughed out loud at some of the writing, puns, and jokes, but overall Don Quixote overstayed its welcome.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad to have read this! It was tedious at times but the characters are wonderful and the writing enjoyable. Miguel had me laughing out loud a few times, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza's interactions with each other and the world are well written. I think Miguel Cervantes could have been a star film maker if he was born in the 21st century, he knows how to set a comedic scene

[Zildjian Baskara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say 3.5 out of 5.
The longest book I’ve read so far. It’s quite a long book with some unnecessary parts. But, I agree that the end is worth all the journeys of Don Quixote of La Mancha and Sancho Panza!

[Brian Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one certainly ruled my life as I read it, even naming my pony car Rocinante along the way. Steinbeck named his camper the same, the one in which he and Charley looped the country.

Of the book, how can anyone really review the very first Western novel these centuries later? I suppose one way is by honoring Sancho Panza and leading with a maxim: the more things change the more they stay the same. Yes, there’s much that rings true in the 21st Century. Given that satire is at the heart of the book, I’ll key on the fact a goodly number of us refuse to suffer a fool, while many others egg him on and for their own purposes. Early in the book, you’re treated to the origin of the expression “tilting at windmills” and there’s a lot of that going on today.

The characterizations of the knight-errant of the title and his squire Sancho are beautifully sketched, their personal journeys at odds and changing as they sally forth together atop their aging equines.

I went into the reading not knowing the story of Book Two’s writing, and in it Cervantes himself tilts and skewers an actual foe hilariously. Book One brings more howls in reading but Two is the more compelling. Plays on words abound, all the more wonderful in this, the original and unabridged English-language translation. As such, one reads a bit slowly at first just in getting accustomed to it but the pace and rhythm pick up quickly, certainly faster than bedraggled Rocinante or put-upon but sturdy Dapple carry their masters. That’s all I got.

[Les Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a tale. The surprising hilarious story of the Knight-Errant Don Quixote. I think the best review of this book comes from a quote:

"Tom Cecial, seeing how ill they had succeeded, and what a sorry end their expedition had come to, said to the bachelor, "Sure enough, Senor Samson Carrasco, we are served right; it is easy enough to plan and set about an enterprise, but it is often a difficult matter to come well out of it. Don Quixote a madman, and we sane; he goes off laughing, safe, and sound, and you are left sore and sorry! I'd like to know now which is the madder, he who is so because he cannot help it, or he who is so of his own choice?" To which Samson replied, "The difference between the two sorts of madmen is, that he who is so will, will be one always, while he who is so of his own accord can leave off being one whenever he likes." - pg 829 Ch 15

The ending was sad and through the whole book I was waiting for Quixote to come to his senses. At the end I got my wish only to be sad it happened as I longed for him to go back to his happy days of Knight-Errantry rather than see him waste away to death in sadness and clarity of mind.

How much of this can be said of life?

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Don Quixote is both a product of its time and a timeless reflection on the human condition. Written in the early 17th century, it satirized the fading ideals of chivalry and critiqued a society caught between medieval traditions and the emerging modern world. Cervantes used his protagonist’s quixotic quest to expose the absurdity of clinging to outdated codes of honor while also showing the dignity and courage that can come from pursuing ideals, even in the face of ridicule.

What makes the novel enduring is how its themes still resonate today. The tension between idealism and realism, the blurred line between madness and vision, and the influence of stories on how we perceive ourselves and society all feel strikingly contemporary. In an age of media saturation and competing narratives, Don Quixote reminds us of both the dangers and the transformative power of literature and imagination.

[Six port · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oomph

This novel much like literature of that age. It was difficult to read but there were enough bright (humorous) points to hold my attention.
The story was repetitive and predictable but poor Don Quixote was clearly, humorously out of his mind through out most if not all of his travels and conquests.
I recommend this novel with serious reservations.

[Brittany Olenick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's famous for the windmills, but that is such a small part of the adventure. It is a soap opera, honestly, and all the more hilarious for it!

First Half: Don Quixote is a loon and makes it everyone's problem.

Second Half: The Duke and Duchess are bored and decide to make it Don Quixote and Sancho's problem.

[Frank Capps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure pleasure

Excellent read. Part 2 or 3 changed Sancho into a sage and extremely intelligent man. Too different and disappointing. Be tolerant of the changes as much as possible.the

[WILLIAM PATTON · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book . You might bog down at around page 300 , but keep reading . You will be surprised to find gems in almost every sentence of a 1270 page book

[Naomi Harris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was really funny

[Fane Junai]

read the book who had 1553 page

[Justin Jepsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crooked Path

Loved it! I think it is a great example of a man who is battling with his mindset, who is constantly striving to live up to the image of his heroes.

[Costina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Letto per la scuola. Era la versione graduata in spagnolo. Non era male, anche un po’ divertente.

[Keily Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it again.

It’s just as much fun the second time, like spending time with old friends who like you just the way you are.