Don Quixote (Penguin Clothbound Classics)

Alas, several pages of my copy of the book are missing! Pages 451-498 are gone! Then, when you get to p.546, the next page is another 499 until another 546. After that, the rest of the pages are fine. I've read the whole book, and pages 451-498 are nowhere to be found in it. Otherwise, it's a beautifully bound book for a very good price, and the translation is excellent. I ordered it in September, didn't read it until this month (Feb.), when I found the mistake. I suppose it's just my copy, not a general problem with the whole printed edition? Others don't seem to have this strange problem. Don Quixote might blame all mischief he suffers on enchanters and sorcerers, but the readers know that cruel people are the ones persecuting and pranking him and his faithful squire Sancho Panza. They punch down on the already afflicted - the poor, ignorant and mad. And, sometimes, what looks like mischief is just bad luck. In this case, I think it's just a mistake that slipped past quality control. I can read the missing pages - in a different translation - online, but I wish my copy had all the chapters and pages. Still, it's a beautiful edition of the great Don Quixote by the sublime Cervantes.

Worth reading few dry spots but great book

This reminds me of that time when some girl lost her boots and became a vampire

“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized.” - Daniel BurnhamThis quote summarizes the key aspect of Don Quixote that I enjoy so much. The power of imagination to move us beyond are pre-defined selves and create a world for ourselves as we see fit. This is of course idealistic and the realities of life prove routinely that obstacles will often interrupt us along the way. I first read this book in 1998 in college. Back then I took from it mostly the idea of the conflict of self identity matched up against outside perceptions and expectations. That interpretation was particularly important for me as a black male in an American culture that routinely tries to define for me, who I am and what I am capable of; despite all my wildest dreams that crave more.In this second reading, many of Cervantes’ genius literary triumphs really jumped out at me. His subtle and hilarious use of “Breaking the 4th wall.” The use of all of the subplots and characters to illustrate the crossroads of culture, Moorish and Christian, Chivalry and Rule of Law, along with Romanticism and Realism. Cervantes often self-references the labyrinth of layers upon layers of deep social and literary commentary of the times in which he was writing. Some of which, particularly the class, religious, and racial turmoil remain with us today.Still, it remains the narrative about what or who is the ultimate authority on what and/or how we define the self that most intrigues me. In truth, the idea of the self is a complex formula. We are the careful balance of experience, wit, luck, and a little madness. Outside perceptions are then layered on this amalgamation of individual chemistry. This combination results in the same person waffling between genius and madman, when viewed in a myriad of different ways by an array of different eyes. Don Quixote is the vehicle by Which Cervantes masks scalding social criticism couched in the persona of a mad man.This sprawling novel that traverses the canyons between madness and sanity is a story of unbridled experience. We all want to live lives full adventure, but the world and our “place” in it often keeps us within limits that say this is ok and this is crazy. I love this journey because I believe that if we, like Don Quixote, live life as we define it, the stories would have been worth it.

Satisfied with the purchase. For the price, it's worth it. Cover is nice. Translation very good. Only downside, for me anyway, the print is small. Shouldn't be a problem if your eyes are good or have reading glasses.

Thank you to John Rutherford, the brilliant translator of "this lovely book", as he calls it in his readable Introduction. His translation is vibrant, hilarious, modern and yet true to the original. His Translator's Note was a fascinating glimpse into the enormous challenges facing the brave person who takes on an epic work such as this. I simply cannot praise your work enough, Mr Rutherford. You have made Don Quixote accessible and welcoming to the modern English reader.I would also like to say a big Thank you to the wonderful readers of the Audible edition, who have done full justice to this great work. Thank you all!

Amazing translation/version of one of my absolute favorite peices of classic litterature. This is the 2nd version I've read personally and enjoyed it just as much or more than the first. I think he was called "knight of the rueful countenance in the other one instead of sorry face. Well constructed, attractive book as well. Thank You

I shared a picture of this classic masterpiece online and my constituents were very impressive with it's overall construction and workmanship.

I have purchased two hardcover versions of Don Quixote, and both of them have barcode stickers, do all the books have these stickers or only the ones that I’ve received? Ever since apart from this I must say the book is amazing but it’s a bit annoying to see these barcode stickers and not being able to take them off since once you take them off the ink would fade away too.

Nice edition to a decent price but the cover is really poorly printed. The color can be scraped off with your nails. In other words if you put this book between other books in a bookshelf it will leave color residue on the books around it. Also the heat from my hands seems to lift off some of the paint when I’m reading it. Too bad it has these flaws, since it’s a nice edition just poorly executed.

The most beautiful book of all time. It has everything in it from romance to bravery and all underpinned by the most wonderful humour. Do yourself the favour of reading this book.

The quality of the pages and that of binding is definitely excellent. An aesthetic piece which you cannot get off with.