Don Quixote (Word Cloud Classics) Flexibound – July 2, 2013

If people continue to read a book for over 400 years, there is almost certainly a reason. Yes, it is very long. But the anecdotal nature of the book makes it easy to dip into like a box of great chocolates. I can’t see that humans have changed much since the book was published, and anything you would ever want to know about humans is here. The book is also shockingly modern, meta-fiction in the best sense.

Don Quixote was written in two books, published 10 years apart. I was aware of some of the familiar episodes, like the windmills, that occur early in the first book, but had not appreciated the wit and creative depth of the full two-volume work. For example, in volume 2, Don Quixote meets people who know of him because they have read the first book. He also meets people who think they know him because they have read a false second volume (an actual book written by another author based on the first DQ book). In the second book, particularly, we see DQ as something of split personality. He continues his misguided and humorous adventures (although sometimes with unexpected success) as the delusional knight errant, but both he and Sancho Panza can be wise and thoughtful in some real human circumstances.

As happened to another reviewer, I got the wrong book too. I did not get the book pictured, translated by Lathrop, and illustrated by Jack Davis. The translation by Tom Lathrop is a lot better than any other English translation in my opinion and I looked at quite a few. So, I'm very disappointed. I give it 5 stars, because I don't want Tom Lathrop to get a bad review. His translation work is great. But now I need to see if I can get my money back and get the right book. I got the wrong one, used, from the Amazon website, but through an seller in Ohio.Mr. Lathrop, if you read this review, please let us know the code numbers for your book so we can search on that and make sure we get the right one.Jerry

I've been looking for a nice copy of Don Quixote for a while, and decided to take a chance on this. It actually looks like the picture, has a soft cover, and shipped fast. Overall I would recommend.

Written in the early 1600s, Cervantes presents a comedy about a man so obsessed with chivalry and the knights of old, that he loses his sanity and sets out in his 50s to be dubbed a knight that he might right all the world's wrongs and injustices. He is accompanied by his hired squire, Sancho, who is quite certainly an absolute idiot.Through the adventures of Don Quixote and Sancho, Cervantes shows what insanity it is to believe that one can change the world into a utopian vision as there will always be opposition from countless enemies who like the status quo. This is emphasized by Quixote's insanity in all things pertaining to chivalry and knight errancy, but his ability to think and converse as the most scholarly and wise man on any other subject. His insanity is quite limited to the one area. Cervantes is also satirizing the chivalrous romantic writings of the time and mocking them for their ridiculous nature.Cervantes also tries to address the difference between a person's social status and a person' s true worth. In contrast to the beliefs of the time, wealth and nobility do not necessarily make one a good person. In one instance Quixote is ministered to by prostitutes who are extremely kind to him and meet his every need. In many other instances he is humiliated, tricked, and treated unkindly by people of good standing who should have behaved with much better manners. The one person who remains a loyal friend to him is his squire Sancho, who is considered a joke to all who meet him.This story is intended as a comedy... satire, I believe, but I didn't find it particularly funny. Part 1 depends on laughing at the stupidity of our characters and the inevitable misfortunes which result. They are defeated and left with grave injuries so many times that the story takes on an almost "Roadrunner vs. Wile E. Coyote" sort of quality. Part 2 depends on laughing at the mean jokes and pranks which people do to them.I think the story was a little longer than it could have been so it definitely did not leave me wanting more.

Who knew a fourhundred-year-old book could be this hilarious? This book is so funny and just a great book to read. The word cloud edition is really worth having as well. The flexibound cover just is enjoyable to hold in my hands as well as see on my bookshelf.

I've always wanted to read this book. It's obviously one of the most famous every written. However, this edition used such small type that I honestly couldn't read it. I tried, but gave up and had to return it. Older eyes beware!

These are absolutely adorable and a must have for any collector. The covers are nice and sturdy so they will hold up to some shelf wear. The plaid patterns are amazing and look lovely. I hope that more books will be added to this collection!