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Don Quixote

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra,

Edward C. Riley (Editor)

Start date: July 1, 2018

Finish date: September 30, 2018

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May 29, 2023 ForestGardenGal rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: type-philosophy-logic, theme-medieval-chivalry, genre-fiction, type-satire, location-spain, 1715-1775-enlightenment, 1517-1618-protestant-reformation, type-romance-historical, classics-published-50-years-ago

A very legible translation for the modern reader

This translation is not weighed down by endnotes and footnotes, but simply renders the text into language that is understandable by the modern reader, but at the same time maintains its flowery, nearly lyrical tenor. Make no mistake, this was a book written in 1605 - surviving nearly 420 years since it was first published!

Now consider that it is a satire of chivalrous romance fiction - the smut of the late 1500's and early 1600's, and you might be A very legible translation for the modern reader

This translation is not weighed down by endnotes and footnotes, but simply renders the text into language that is understandable by the modern reader, but at the same time maintains its flowery, nearly lyrical tenor. Make no mistake, this was a book written in 1605 - surviving nearly 420 years since it was first published!

Now consider that it is a satire of chivalrous romance fiction - the smut of the late 1500's and early 1600's, and you might be more adequately prepared for the underhanded snarkiness present throughout the book. And yes, if you pay attention, you will find Cervantes inserts a snippet from his own personal story, even using a part of his name, giving himself what might be considered the first cameo appearances by a fiction author in his own work!

Within you will discover Don Quixote's story of delusion and adventure, as well as a number of embedded stories- some told in narrative, some recounted in poetic recitation, and several as lived by minor side characters alongside Don Quixote as they weave in and out of his adventures across the countryside.

While the book does step back a bit from the story (primarily in Part 3) and devolves into a meta discussion of literary criticism that some readers may find tiresome, it is there for a powerful reason, and yet it can be scanned through the tiresome parts with not much loss to the author's intent if the reader finds it unbearable. Try to stick it out, though.

This book asks questions that are just as important today as when it was written (maybe even more important today?):

Just exactly what happens when one becomes so involved in reading their smutty books that they begin to fancy themselves a hero from one of them? Does this person qualify as crazy for attempting to live by the standards of another culture or era? Can and should this person be pacified? Safely locked away? Encouraged? Considered a hero based on their heroic intentions alone?

Can books be so influential that they should be banned or burned, or is this just the weakness of individuals, and not the fault of the books? Is there a point where fiction and fantasy become too believable? Can fiction deceive to the point of overriding rational thought?

Also, is it proper to taunt and tease a person who seems mentally intact except for such a delusion?

PG for medieval violence, holy wars/crusades, treatment of women as glorified possessions, and many instances of slavery. The reading is dense enough that any youth sophisticated enough to stick to reading this book is likely to understand that cultural acceptance of something in another time period and place doesn't make it acceptable here and now. That said, a parental discussion (or several) would not be out of place. ...more

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