Don Quixote by Cervantes
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes is a classic Spanish novel that has been widely regarded as one of the greatest works of literature ever written. It is often cited as the first modern novel and is considered a founding work of Western literature.
The novel follows the adventures of Alonso Quijano, an hidalgo from La Mancha who reads so many chivalric romances that he either loses or pretends to have lost his mind in order to become a knight-errant (caballero andante) to revive chivalry and serve his nation, under the name Don Quixote de la Mancha.
He recruits a simple farmer, Sancho Panza, as his squire, who often employs a unique, earthy wit in dealing with Don Quixote’s lofty rhetoric.
The novel explores the complexities of fact and fantasy, truth and lies, justice and injustice, and humankind’s grappling with the inevitable end of death.
It also examines the balance between reality and imagination, realism and idealism. Cervantes himself states that he wrote Don Quixote in order to undermine the influence of those “vain and empty books of chivalry” as well as to provide some merry, original, and sometimes prudent material for his readers’ entertainment.
The novel’s message that individuals can be right while society is wrong was considered radical for its day. It has been a major influence on Western books, movies, and plays since then.
Some of the main themes of Don Quixote include Truth and Lies, Literature, Realism, and Idealism, Madness and Sanity, Intention and Consequence, Self-Invention, Class Identity, and Social Change.
Overall, Don Quixote teaches us that life is to be challenged. That passion and discipline of a determined soul are a foundational element of being a leader. Quixote does not accept current reality. He forces his creative imagery, his commitment, and his happiness on it.
What I Liked
Don Quixote is a fascinating character – he’s funny, exhausting, and inspiring. Like the Bible, there are a ton of allusions in literature to this book, so it’s interesting to “get” the callbacks.
What I Did Not Like
It’s long and repetitive. It’s famous because it’s the first modern novel…but like most first things…it’s not really the best of the form.
