Don Quixote | 
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Product Description
Edith Grossman's definitive English translation of the Spanish masterpiece. Widely regarded as one of the funniest and most tragic books ever written, Don Quixote chronicles the adventures of the self-created knight-errant Don Quixote of La Mancha and his faithful squire, Sancho Panza, as they travel through sixteenth-century Spain. You haven't experienced Don Quixote in English until you've read this masterful translation. This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.
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Customer Reviews:
• Without Discretion There Can Be No Humor 16 July, 2008
'Don Quixote' is largely considered to be a satire on the popular chivalric ballads of Cervantes' day, but don't be fooled. This novel is no satire on chivalry, itself. Indeed, through the trials of Quixote and Sancho Panza, Cervantes is perhaps the greatest promoter of chivalric ideas that the West has ever known. No other protagonist so thoroughly embodies the ideals of heroism, romantic love, friendship, honor, discretion, trust, virtue, and adventure than does Don Quixote. It just so happens that he is insane, but the author is able to look beyond that. So too should the reader.
The knight's sallies are absolutely delightful and, it must be credited, alone prove Cervantes' genius in writing. The dialogue between Quixote and Sancho is excellent comedy, creating a duo that has gone unsurpassed in originality and endearment for five centuries. "Is it possible that Your Worship can be so thick skulled and brainless as to not perceive the truth of what I allege?" Classic.
But these adventures, hilarious as they may be, give us frame for a storehouse chivalric truisms, the like of which can be found in no other work of fiction. A sampling would include: "An author had better be applauded by the few that are wise than laughed at by the many that are foolish;" "Anyone who has been a good squire will never be a bad governor;" "There is a wide difference between flying and retreating; valor which is not founded on the base of discretion is termed temerity or rashness;" and "Whenever virtue shines in an emanant degree, she always meets with persecution."
The reader cannot help but to love such regal assuredness, such profound idealism. Ironically, Quixote's insanity never really contradicts his optimism and in fact vindicates it. It is commentary on the human condition that only the insane person can actually accomplish something virtuous. And after all the delusions are expired and all the fallacies uncovered, Don Quixote actually has accomplished everything he set out to achieve if only because he was noble enough to strive for it.
A note must be made on the translations. While much of the verbiage is straightforward, there are several repeated phrases that are different between the major translations, Quixote's moniker being one of the most important. In every translation I have seen, the name has been different--"The Knight of the Rueful Countenance," "The Knight of the Mournful Countenance," and "The Knight of the Sorrowful Face" are all used for the same phrase. I enjoyed the "Rueful Countenance" and found it to be well-suited for the style of the novel though I have not read other translations.
In the end, though, you cannot go wrong. 'Don Quixote' is a pure joy to read and we are fortunate to have the ability to do so.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2B72UCJRZUTZW
• Good Translation... Okay Story 18 October, 2008
I have read many versions of this book, and this has got to be the best translation by far. However, I find the story lacking in several points. One, there is no concrete story line, Don Quioxte and his "squire" Sancho, seem to wander about the countryside aimlessly. I know many people that have really loved this book, however I was happy to see the end. The best part of the story is the many short stories within the main story told by traveler the wandering knight meets during his journey. Overall, I thought that this book was worth reading only to add to your bank of knowledge to works of Miguel de Cervantes. If you do wish to do that, then this the best translation I have seen.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2SACY2W0Z1CO8
• Great! 30 August, 2008
This is the best translation I've read! I've tried a few other translations and they're all so dry and really don't do justice to Cervantes' humor, but this book absolutely does! If you're going to buy Don Quixote, buy this one for sure!
- Reviewed by customer ID: A28VW9EREXMWAR
• One Of The Best Books Ever Written 27 September, 2008
It is no wonder that this book is considered such a classic (hey, look at the incredibly high number of people who have read it!) Cervantes, whose personal life was an odd story in itself, has managed a tale that reaches for the hero in all of us in a manner that is most hilarious, human, and heartfelt.
It follows the adventures of an aging man who believes himself to be a medieval knight and his faithful, ever-patient servant. Convinced that the world around him is a heck a lot more exciting than it really is, the self-proclaimed Don Quixote makes quite a name for himself.
It's a delightfully random story that will appeal mostly to comedians who still like a healthy dose of meaing and emotion--because, be warned, it is not all pure comedy. There is plenty of layers that keep this as the powerful classic it is. There is less of one concrete plot and more of intertwining stories--indeed, it is definitely a character-driven novel.
It's funny, it's adventurous, and it has old guys trying to dule with windmills. Plus plenty of unexpected heart.
- Reviewed by customer ID: AOTMP0OKJOUWI
• The Grandeur Of Madness 26 September, 2008
"Don Quixote' is, of course, one of the world's great classics. Cervantes depiction of the elderly knight, swimming with visions of chivalric grandeur, is poignant. The old man [mad or just senile?] is so certain of himself that he is able to convince the simpleton, Sancho Panza, of his glorious mission. Riding on his noble mount, the nag Rocinante, Quixote sets out to right the wrongs of the world. But a chivalric warrior is nothing without a virtuous lady fair, who he finds in the form of the not-so-beauteous barmaid, Dulcinea.
The rest is nobility and self-righteous confusion. The old man battles with notable lack of success against evil giants in the guise of windmills. No matter. Quixote may be battered and bruised but his honor remains intact...at least until reality catches up with him.
To a certain degree, I have used the senile Quixote's confused chivalry in the consruction of my main character, Don Rodrigo de la Pena, in my novels of Conquest of Mexico, "Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God". De la Pena, is, in his own way, a younger and more lethal version of the great knight which leaves the women in del la Pena's life, completely bewildered.
Ron Braithwaite
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2RH7ARWQSUVQV
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