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Don Quixote has become so entranced reading tales of chivalry that he decides to

turn knight errant himself. In the company of his faithful squire, Sancho Panza,

these exploits blossom in all sorts of wonderful ways. While Quixote's fancy often

leads him astray—he tilts at windmills, imagining them to be giants—Sancho

acquires cunning and a certain sagacity. Sane madman and wise fool, they roam

the world together-and together they have haunted readers' imaginations for

nearly four hundred years.

With its experimental form and literary playfulness, Don Quixote has been

generally recognized as the first modern novel. This Penguin Classics edition, with

its beautiful new cover design, includes John Rutherford's masterly translation,

which does full justice to the energy and wit of Cervantes's prose, as well as a

brilliant critical introduction by Roberto Gonzalez Echevarriá.

Reviews:

I spent a good deal of time studying various modern translations of DQ - among

them the works of Grossman (too 'popularized'), Montgomery (dry, verbose),

Smollet-Slade (excellent notes and revisions by Slade but the 18th English tone

remains - it's not Cervantes and it's not modern either - unsatisfactory) and

Rutherford (I should try Lathrop as well...) and I've found Rutherford's to be the

most readable, lively and engaging - he explains his approach in his translator's

introduction and I think he accomplished his goal. It's a pleasure to read - the

prose is smooth, concise and clear, Rutherford has a sharp wit which he has put to

good use in this translation, and he is also very scholarly as well as steeped in

Spanish culture. This book is what great works are all about. Cervantes' classic is

timeless, bringing to life all human emotions, often at once. The book swings

between absolute optimism, tragedy, despair, humor (a ton of wit everywhere),

love, all within the realm of an insane (?) character.

Don Quixote is a nobleman who, after reading for years about chivalry (the middle ages type), decides to set on a journey to right the wrongs in Spain. He is accompanied by Sancho Panza, his squire (and sane companion), to who he promises the governorship of the first island they conquer.

Cervantes obviously pokes fun at the middle ages concept of nobility and chivalry, as he pits Quixote in battles against monsters (who are actually windmills), All of Quixote's battles are in the honor of his love, Dulcinia, who never makes an appearance, and seems to be an idealized character, also similar to the idealized dames of the middle ages. Cervantes' wit vis a vis the chivalry concept is even more interesting when taken in the context of who Cervantes was: a wounded soldier who spend a good portion of his life as a captive in prison. It seems he may have been driven to war by the ideals of chivalry, but was soon rebuffed by the realities of the world. It is clear he seeks to unmask it.

In Quixote's insanity, however, we can see through the strange magic that creates emotions such as love and hatred. Irrationality is not something that can be dismissed, as so much of human activity (and Quixote's in particular) is not driven by pure rationality.

Though written in 1605, the insight into the human soul is timeless.

Don Quixote is Alonso Quixada, an aging country gentleman of some means who

spends his days, as his niece describes it, "reading much and eating little." One

day he impetuously decides to become a knight-errant--champion of the

oppressed and savior of damsels in distress. He announces to the dismay of his

household that he is now to be called Don Quixote of the Mancha and begins

making preparations for a journey of great adventure.

Accompanying him on his quest is Sancho Panza, a dimwitted village peasant who agrees to become Quixote's faithful squire in return for the promise of an island when their adventures are through. Together they roam the Spanish countryside in search of chivalrous deeds to perform.

Early in the journey, Quixote meets a young peasant woman named Aldonca. In his imaginary world she becomes Dulcinea del Toboso, his beloved lady fair. From then on he strives to win honor in her name and become worthy of her love.

The story follows the misadventures of Quixote and Panza as they encounter rogues, scholars and noblemen along the way. Among these nobles are the Duke and Duchess who entertain themselves by making sport of and mocking the two men. Throughout it all, Quixote's family and friends seek to bring him home safe and sane.

To download now click the link below:

Download Don Quixote pdf