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Don Quixote of the Mancha
PREFACE
A version of Don Quixote which is appended to Mr. Walter Crane's illustrations needs perhaps no apology, but I desire to state briefly what I have endeavoured to do. No existing abridgment of Don Quixote, known to me, gives in simple narrative form the adventures of Knight and Squire, with as much of the wisdom and humour of their discourse as would be within the grasp of the younger generation of readers. This—The Story of Don Quixote, as I call it—I have tried to produce. In doing it I have made use of all the English translations, but the basis of this book is Thomas Shelton's translation, the language of which seems to me better to express the humour of Cervantes than any other. Many will consider such a task in the nature of sacrilege or, at the best, verging on the impertinent. With these views I have much sympathy myself. But at least, let it be understood that all I have attempted to do is to tell a well-known story in print, as one who loves it would seek to tell it in words, to those around his own fireside; in the hope that some may gather from this story that there is a vast storehouse of humour and wisdom awaiting them in the book itself.
A version of Don Quixote which is appended to Mr. Walter Crane's illustrations needs perhaps no apology, but I desire to state briefly what I have endeavoured to do. No existing abridgment of Don Quixote, known to me, gives in simple narrative form the adventures of Knight and Squire, with as much of the wisdom and humour of their discourse as would be within the grasp of the younger generation of readers. This—The Story of Don Quixote, as I call it—I have tried to produce. In doing it I have made use of all the English translations, but the basis of this book is Thomas Shelton's translation, the language of which seems to me better to express the humour of Cervantes than any other. Many will consider such a task in the nature of sacrilege or, at the best, verging on the impertinent. With these views I have much sympathy myself. But at least, let it be understood that all I have attempted to do is to tell a well-known story in print, as one who loves it would seek to tell it in words, to those around his own fireside; in the hope that some may gather from this story that there is a vast storehouse of humour and wisdom awaiting them in the book itself.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1954
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Edward Abbott Parry
105 booksEdward Abbott Parry (1863–1943) was an English judge and dramatist.
Parry was born in London, the second son of John Humffreys Parry, a barrister. Parry himself studied at the Middle Temple and was called to the Bar in 1885. He was Judge of Manchester County Court 1894-1911 and became Judge of Lambeth County Court in 1911. He wrote several plays and books for children. He was appointed to sit on a Pensions Appeal Tribunal in the summer of 1917, which dealt with appeals against governmental decisions on military pensions. He later published a book on War Pensions: Past and Present, co-authored with Sir Alfred Codrington, another member of the Tribunal.
Parry was born in London, the second son of John Humffreys Parry, a barrister. Parry himself studied at the Middle Temple and was called to the Bar in 1885. He was Judge of Manchester County Court 1894-1911 and became Judge of Lambeth County Court in 1911. He wrote several plays and books for children. He was appointed to sit on a Pensions Appeal Tribunal in the summer of 1917, which dealt with appeals against governmental decisions on military pensions. He later published a book on War Pensions: Past and Present, co-authored with Sir Alfred Codrington, another member of the Tribunal.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 25, 2023
So many lamentable fiascos, harsh beatings, and noble ideas gone awry. Don Quixote operates with good intentions but he has regrettably hapless execution. The novel was intentioned to be somewhat comic, as I understand it, but the main characters are so pitiable it didn't strike me as very funny, though it did have its moments. The best parts were those that involved Cardenio or Dorothea. It made me sad, though, how all the other characters made fun of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, taking full advantage of them at every opportunity. There was definitely some cruelty. Although, to be fair, the hapless pair DID initiate their fair share of lawless, harebrained, and provoking deeds themselves.
This version was a children's retelling, and it left off at the end of the first book with hints at the sequel and an encouragement to read Cervantes' full novel sometime (which consists of two books). I hadn't realized that it wasn't going to proceed to the actual end of the story. 🤔 It is unclear which translation was used as the basis for this retelling, but it uses the "Knight of the Rueful Countenance" description for Don Quixote so might be from the Ormsby.
I read somewhere that this work was influential for Shakespeare and that he probably read it in the original Spanish, so that was interesting. That alone makes it worth a read, methinks.
My reading of this was bookended with the Literary Life podcast episode on Don Quixote (#88). Had to go back for another listen when finished because it took so long to read it, I forgot everything they said about it. 😜 There were some helpful insights and the hosts mentioned a Shakespeare connection as well. They made me want to try the full novel someday. Maybe. I missed all the humor that was supposed to be in there; perhaps that had to do with the retelling. So one day, I may endeavor to pick up an Ormsby translation and read it in its entirety.
This version was a children's retelling, and it left off at the end of the first book with hints at the sequel and an encouragement to read Cervantes' full novel sometime (which consists of two books). I hadn't realized that it wasn't going to proceed to the actual end of the story. 🤔 It is unclear which translation was used as the basis for this retelling, but it uses the "Knight of the Rueful Countenance" description for Don Quixote so might be from the Ormsby.
I read somewhere that this work was influential for Shakespeare and that he probably read it in the original Spanish, so that was interesting. That alone makes it worth a read, methinks.
My reading of this was bookended with the Literary Life podcast episode on Don Quixote (#88). Had to go back for another listen when finished because it took so long to read it, I forgot everything they said about it. 😜 There were some helpful insights and the hosts mentioned a Shakespeare connection as well. They made me want to try the full novel someday. Maybe. I missed all the humor that was supposed to be in there; perhaps that had to do with the retelling. So one day, I may endeavor to pick up an Ormsby translation and read it in its entirety.
November 19, 2020
My copy:
Don Quixote of The Mancha, retold by Judge Parry, Illustrated by Walter Vran3
1928
Ney York
Dodd, Mead and Company
1928
Printed in Great Britain
12 Full page and
19 half page illustrations, in color
Don Quixote of The Mancha, retold by Judge Parry, Illustrated by Walter Vran3
1928
Ney York
Dodd, Mead and Company
1928
Printed in Great Britain
12 Full page and
19 half page illustrations, in color
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews