Don Quixote – Miguel de Cervantes discussion
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Week 1: Part I, Chapters 1–13
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Jason, Man of La Bamba
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Dec 13, 2013 10:03AM
This thread is for discussing the first thirteen chapters of Don Quixote, which will take place (roughly) between January 13 and January 19, 2014.
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Just finished the first chapter, I was very pleasantly surprised how this is going as I did think it was going to be a tad dry - especially as the version I am reading was a free Kindle version (which for classic books like this don't always deliver).
That's true. I've noticed that myself, that sometimes those old translations are a bit stifled. Glad you're liking this. I'm probably going to start tomorrow. For some reason I'm always behind, so I might as well embrace it.
Haha! I have been wanting to start this since MidnightFaerie invited me in December! I'm hoping this kind of translation level and quality remains throughout - looking at the different editions this one is quite small (its just over 400 pages), I may unknowingly have an abridged version.
It's possible. I know for sure that this version, which is free on Feedbooks and in the public domain, is the complete novel, and is translated by John Ormsby.http://www.feedbooks.com/book/183/don...
There are certainly lots of modern translations, but his is supposed to have been the "definitive" one for many years.
Hmm, I may see if I miss things when the chapters are discussed and if so switch to that version. I just finished another chapter now so either they are very short or I am reading an abridged version. Whichever way I am enjoying it - I never realised this was so comedic.
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Dustin, 'Tis your friendly comrade, Sacho Panza!!
(last edited Jan 13, 2014 10:54AM)
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Carina wrote: "Hmm, I may see if I miss things when the chapters are discussed and if so switch to that version. I just finished another chapter now so either they are very short or I am reading an abridged versi..."I have not started yet, but am hoping to either tonight or tomorrow at the latest. I did, however, notice in the Table of Contents that the chapters are quite short. I-III are only 13 pages, or something like that and chapter 14 starts at 115, or thereabouts.
I sure hope you didn't get the incomplete version, Carina!
Thanks Dustin! I'm reading it on the Kindle so was kind of concerned that after the translators waffling that three chapters only took me on to 7% of the book. Worst case, it isn't the end of the world as the version I am reading was free and Jason found another free version too!
I must ask, did you guys realise that this was such a comedic book? I knew nothing about it (apart from it being quoted in a TV show I like a lot) when I first decided I wanted to read it so was a bit surprised.
I kind of did realize this would be funny, but I think it's the kind of funny that others might find...tedious? The hope was that I wouldn't. (Find it tedious, I mean.)Carina, how many total "locations" does your Kindle version show? It should be at least ten thousand, I think.
Jason wrote: "I kind of did realize this would be funny, but I think it's the kind of funny that others might find...tedious? The hope was that I wouldn't. (Find it tedious, I mean.)Carina, how many total "loc..."
15647 total, apparently three chapters in puts me at location 1104 which is 7%.
I can see why it might be tedious after a while, but hopefully splitting it up as you have no-one will find it as such.
Yeah, that is DEFINITELY the full-length version. I guarantee it.
Yay! I am glad about that then.
Carina wrote: "Thanks Dustin! I'm reading it on the Kindle so was kind of concerned that after the translators waffling that three chapters only took me on to 7% of the book. Worst case, it isn't the end of the..."
No, I had no idea of its comedic qualities, or the apparent ease of the prose. Like you, I know very little about it, aside from the vague synopsis. I'm looking forward to discovering more about it!
Carina wrote: "Jason wrote: "I kind of did realize this would be funny, but I think it's the kind of funny that others might find...tedious? The hope was that I wouldn't. (Find it tedious, I mean.)Carina, how m..."
I'm so glad you have the unabridged version!
Thanks! I don't mind unabridged but I do prefer reading the whole thing (I first read an abridged version of Little Women and was shocked at how much was missed out!)I think this seems like a great group to learn more about this with :)
Yes, the group read should be very insightful and fun! I'm really looking forward to it, guys! Jason- you ROCK for setting up this awesome buddy read and group!You're welcome. I'm a firm believer in reading the unabridged version whenever possible.
I cannot express my enthusiasm for the group discussion, and especially to be starting today!!
Yeah, I started this morning. I'm on Chapter 4 and it's pretty great so far.
Chapter 4 is an amusing one, I think 3 was the most amusing so far and I want to say... 7... (view spoiler)
Jason wrote: "Yeah, I started this morning. I'm on Chapter 4 and it's pretty great so far."This is very encouraging!!:)
I've read chapters 1 & 2 so far. Will be digging back in tonight.
I've only read the prologue so far, but it was very entertaining! I'm really looking forward to reading a decent chunk of it.
I don't know whether I can keep up with this group read, but I just read the first couple of chapters and it's so gorgeous I think I ought to try. I am a quick convert to the Edith Grossman translation.
Shell wrote: "I've only read the prologue so far, but it was very entertaining! I'm really looking forward to reading a decent chunk of it."I'm very to hear it, Shell! I started yesterday and got to Chapter 5. It's very entertaining indeed! It's been said already, but so far I'm finding the prose surprisingly smooth (the only exception being the footnotes,) and Cervantes is hilarious! Especially (view spoiler)
Bryn wrote: "I don't know whether I can keep up with this group read, but I just read the first couple of chapters and it's so gorgeous I think I ought to try. I am a quick convert to the Edith Grossman trans..."
Hopefully you can join us, Bryn. I think most of the chapters are pretty short, so 13 a week should be doable.
Mary wrote: "I've read chapters 1 & 2 so far. Will be digging back in tonight."Happy reading, Mary!
With a sense of achievement, I've finished the week 1 schedule. I am just so hopelessly stuck on Don Quixote himself. The latest reasons were his getting Sancho to sit beside him for equality's sake, and his courtesy to ignorant goatherds.
Bryn wrote: "With a sense of achievement, I've finished the week 1 schedule. I am just so hopelessly stuck on Don Quixote himself. The latest reasons were his getting Sancho to sit beside him for equality's sa..."
I am stuck on the goatherd bit - it is really not interesting me in the slightest - though I did like the equality bit you mentioned with Sancho.
I'm up to ch7. The burning of the books *shudder*
Mary wrote: "I'm up to ch7. The burning of the books *shudder*"I know, it breaks your heart, doesn't it, Mary? Reminds me of Fahrenheit 451, only DQ beat Bradbury unique vision by a couple hundred years.. amazing.:) Did anyone get a sense of the priest's hypocrisy regarding (view spoiler)
I'm close to reaching the Week 1 goal, as I'm at the start of Chapter 9. I should reach 13 today! What does everything think of Sancho's character? I really like him so far and he seems to be an anchor, of sorts, to Don Quixote. A semblance of sanity which is sadly lacking.. you know? Is everyone enjoying the book so far?
I enjoyed the earlier chapters but these last few I was kind of getting ... bored. It all seemed very samey, Don Quixote waxes lyrical about chivalry and what it entails but misses the point entirely, Sancho provides some level of normality but even he gets caught up with Quixote's idiocy. That said it isn't the most boring book I have ever read.
I can see why people might be impatient with the goatherds and then the shepherds. I just want DQ and SP; I like them both, & I like them together.
Carina wrote: "I enjoyed the earlier chapters but these last few I was kind of getting ... bored. It all seemed very samey, Don Quixote waxes lyrical about chivalry and what it entails but misses the point entire..."No, not boring at all! It's actually quite entertaining so far, IMO.
I hope I don't get bored! It's still early so anything is possible. My plan is to catch up over the weekend. I'll have more to say about the first 13 chapters on Sunday. =)
I'm away for the weekend with only the Kindle for company so planning to start on next weeks chapters too. I'm planning it as a bit of an experiment though - this week I have been reading it on my lunch break so a chapter at a time give or take, over the weekend I'm on trains for a few hours so should be able to read more - I'm hoping that reading more of it at a time makes me enjoy it more as I am not just 'dipping' in and out of it.
I've gotta agree with the general consensus here and Bryn in particular: these chapters with the goatheds are quite uneventful and tedious. I felt like strangling Cervantes and telling him to get on with the story already! A bit of an exaggeration, I know, but it can be frustrating to read 30 odd pages and have made little progress in the story.. you know? However, I'm loving the friendship between Don Quixote and Sancho. It has your classic western/fantasy feel to it! Also, is anyone else as intrigued by Marcella's character as I am? Hopefully she makes an appearance later on, and that we learn more about her.
Carina wrote: "I'm away for the weekend with only the Kindle for company so planning to start on next weeks chapters too. I'm planning it as a bit of an experiment though - this week I have been reading it on my ..."That's a great point, Carina. I think you have to read more than a chapter at a time in order to enjoy it, as mot a whole lot is happening. Personally speaking, I can't stop after just one chapter (unless something comes up, that is..) It's quite addictive!
Well, I just got to the funeral pier bit and I must admit that I am enjoying this more again now!
I'm happy to hear it!:)
Technically into next weeks reading now, but this does get highly amusing just after the goatherds. Overall the first 13 chapters were enjoyable, more interesting and amusing than boring.
'Amusing' is a perfect word for it so far. It's not going to just be hundreds of pages of Don Q beating up/getting beat up, right? Right??
Hahah, I don't knooooow!
We are like the blind leading the blind!
Mary wrote: "It's not going to just be hundreds of pages of Don Q beating up/getting beat up, right? Right??"From memory, right. I remember that the early stages were a bit slapstick with him getting beat up (poor DQ) -- but that goes away as his ideas for the novel obviously grow bigger & wider.
I saw Man of Last Mancha live maybe a year ago...there was singing and beating up and Dolcenea was a bad ass...and I recall an overly rich brownie at intermission. I am no help.
I hope we get a brownie at intermission. :)
Bryn wrote: "Mary wrote: "It's not going to just be hundreds of pages of Don Q beating up/getting beat up, right? Right??"From memory, right. I remember that the early stages were a bit slapstick with him get..."
I'm so happy to hear this, Bryn. I was starting to worry about the book being more of the same. I'm all for bigger, wider concepts. Thank you!
I'm now on chapter 30 or so and I will say that Bryn is right - the slapstick certainly doesn't stick around for too long.
So, I'm just about finishing up last week's reading, and I'll probably start this week's tomorrow.I'm loving this book, guys. One of the things I keep thinking about as I read this book is, actually, Moby-Dick. They are both so perfectly well-written and are ostensibly about very simple things and yet contain much more than meets the eye. In fact, and I swear to god this happened and I KNOWWWW you're not going to believe me, but I just kind of wanted to delve back into Moby-Dick a tiny bit and reminisce (I recall having a similar reading experience, too, wherein I was essentially smiling the whole time I was reading it. Both books have a delightful sense of humor).
Anyway, I randomly opened to the book and this is what I find. I SWEAR.
Granting that the White Whale fully incites the hearts of this my savage crew, and playing round their savageness even breeds a certain generous knight-errantism in them, still, while for the love of it they give chase to Moby Dick, they must also have food for their more common, daily appetites.
Emphasis mine.
