Don Quixote

OK, so this won’t be the most insightful critique of Don Quixote you’ve ever read. I listened to this book on audio CD, and it took me 5 months because I only listened at work when I had data entry to do to keep me awake. It was funnier than I thought it would be. Not as profound as I expected given the high esteem it holds in literary circles. I’m not one to try to glean all the...more

OK, so this won’t be the most insightful critique of Don Quixote you’ve ever read. I listened to this book on audio CD, and it took me 5 months because I only listened at work when I had data entry to do to keep me awake. It was funnier than I thought it would be. Not as profound as I expected given the high esteem it holds in literary circles. I’m not one to try to glean all the meanings and symbolism in books. I tend to take the events and people at face value. I liked Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. I found it interesting that he stops fantasizing only after his heart is broken. His specific actions were often destructive to those around him, especially toward the beginning. But he softened and mellowed later. I was sad when he “came to his senses” because clearly his life had no meaning without his chivalry. Lesson learned from the book? When a handsome man promises to marry you later at some indefinite point in time if only you would make love to him now, DON’T DO IT! Seriously, is it odd to anyone else that this specific plot point kept happening over and over and over and over and….? “Evil rogues!” “Poor innocent girl!” NO. Horny dude, stupid girl. Come on! I will be sure to make my daughter read this book before she starts dating! Now to watch the movie…..   hide

I was extremely disappointed. I had hoped of reading of trying to reach for the impossible star instead of a story of mental illness. I found it depressing and sad. Perhaps I have dealt with too much mental illness in my life to find this anything but disappointing. Don Quixote Was a danger to himself and everyone around him.

This is probably one of my more favorite books. It's hilarious and shows that a little insanity isnt always a bad thing.

Don Quixote is a sly parody of knight stories, as well as an entertaining adventure story. The main character has read too many books about knights and chivalry and eventually decides to become a knight. Along with his sidekick, Sancho Panza, he sets out to find a lady and to do some good deeds. If the phrase "tilting at windmills" means nothing to you, read this book to find out.