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keithlafo's review against another edition
4.0
As with many staples of classic literature, I wasn't entirely sure what to make of Don Quixote before I read the first page. I braced myself for flowery, poetic, and consistently obtuse prose. I braced myself for needless pontificating.
And sure, there is some of that. However, what I was surprised by was how funny this book is -- even now, more than 400 years since its original publication. It's also remarkably accessible. Some of that, I'm sure, is due to Edith Grossman's translation for this edition, but the story itself doesn't fall down unnecessary rabbit holes, as I often find classic literature does. That's not to say there aren't moments of, dare I say, plodding repetition. Despite my enjoyment of the meta nature of their inclusion, I found the discussions about literature to be, well, repetitive.
But as a whole, it's easy to see why Don Quixote is heralded as one of the most impressive books to be published. It's an adventure at its core, with a ton of unique and odd characters (led, of course, by the strangest of them all, that titular knight errant).
And sure, there is some of that. However, what I was surprised by was how funny this book is -- even now, more than 400 years since its original publication. It's also remarkably accessible. Some of that, I'm sure, is due to Edith Grossman's translation for this edition, but the story itself doesn't fall down unnecessary rabbit holes, as I often find classic literature does. That's not to say there aren't moments of, dare I say, plodding repetition. Despite my enjoyment of the meta nature of their inclusion, I found the discussions about literature to be, well, repetitive.
But as a whole, it's easy to see why Don Quixote is heralded as one of the most impressive books to be published. It's an adventure at its core, with a ton of unique and odd characters (led, of course, by the strangest of them all, that titular knight errant).
maffew's review against another edition
3.0
I think I read this when I was too young or I read an abridged version or something. I remember liking it but its been so long I think I need to go back to it.
palegreenshutters's review against another edition
4.0
A 400 year old book of that length is going to have some slow bits, but I was surprised at how well it held up, and found it genuinely funny. The ending made me sad though. Odd how the loss of madness is felt so keenly.
martahnzm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
roam_'s review against another edition
5.0
I listened to the book over the course of 9 months - I could not listen from cover to cover as each vignette has a similar rise and fall in action and our heroes remain true to the course, meaning that the narration is not full of cliff-hangers or binge-inducing developments. And this steady, dependable, fascinating narrative is one of the things I love most about the book.
I think I do love this book - it’s funny, clever, kind, and predictable and non-violent and moral and I will read it again in a decade or two. And did I say it is clever, it is masterful in its cleverness. Sublime and divine.
In celebration of the shared 400th anniversaries of the deaths of Shakespeare and Cervantes, many great writers contributed short stories honoring them both. ‘Lovers and Lunatics’ is a great collection in its own right and it begs the castaway question. Today, if I were to get stuck on a dessert island with just one book, ‘Don Quixote’ may just be the one.
Companionship for Sancho and readers alike.
I think I do love this book - it’s funny, clever, kind, and predictable and non-violent and moral and I will read it again in a decade or two. And did I say it is clever, it is masterful in its cleverness. Sublime and divine.
In celebration of the shared 400th anniversaries of the deaths of Shakespeare and Cervantes, many great writers contributed short stories honoring them both. ‘Lovers and Lunatics’ is a great collection in its own right and it begs the castaway question. Today, if I were to get stuck on a dessert island with just one book, ‘Don Quixote’ may just be the one.
Companionship for Sancho and readers alike.
thegreentealibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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
3.0
danpusey's review against another edition
5.0
This book was long - took me about three months to get through it all!
This novel feels like a real journey alongside Sancho and Don Quixote.....the kind of story I somehow felt nostalgia for even before finishing.
Altogether, I think this is a book worth reading but not to be taken too seriously - it's hilarious in parts with very classic memorable scenes - I'll now never be able to look at windmills without an overwhelming urge to charge them on horseback - and whilst there's a lot of humor, I know this was written during a time where such a story was a criticism/mockery of the prevailing tall tales of the time. This humour can then be seen as a criticism of the over-the-top hero-building that was prevalent both then and of course today.
However, my reflection on this novel was in giving great credence to the phrase "belief is what gives life meaning".
Without giving anything of the story away, and perhaps at the risk of missing the point entirely - perhaps delusion isn't a bad thing if it brings more good than harm and if you honestly believe it.
This novel feels like a real journey alongside Sancho and Don Quixote.....the kind of story I somehow felt nostalgia for even before finishing.
Altogether, I think this is a book worth reading but not to be taken too seriously - it's hilarious in parts with very classic memorable scenes - I'll now never be able to look at windmills without an overwhelming urge to charge them on horseback - and whilst there's a lot of humor, I know this was written during a time where such a story was a criticism/mockery of the prevailing tall tales of the time. This humour can then be seen as a criticism of the over-the-top hero-building that was prevalent both then and of course today.
However, my reflection on this novel was in giving great credence to the phrase "belief is what gives life meaning".
Without giving anything of the story away, and perhaps at the risk of missing the point entirely - perhaps delusion isn't a bad thing if it brings more good than harm and if you honestly believe it.
jecologyj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0