Don't make the mistake of reading Don Quixote quickly. The best scenes are those of Don Quixote and Sancho conversing as they amble across the countryside. Try to imagine you are moving alongside this mismatched pair as they discuss life, love and virtue. Take your time, as they did.
@@lovrevia7638 People who read DQ read lots of other books. Because it is so long there is a temptation to plow through the novel in order to get to other books. Readers will miss the changing mood of the novel if they do that. I say be willing to give DQ the time it deserves. Let the TBR pile wait.
One of the great things about Quixote is that the chapters are basically very brief, and story arcs generally are wrapped up in two or three chapters at most. This makes for good episodic, gradual reading.
Finished Don Quixote few days ago, the original version as I am Spanish. Could not agree more with what you say. I sent your video to my father and he said this was the best literature class of his entire life.
In Don Quixote, Cervantes makes a reference to ‘Tirant lo Blanch’, a chivalric romance written in Valencian-Catalan which influenced Quixote. It is unusual for a romance, as its characters are more natural and human, and it is a bit satirical too.
I’m a native Spanish speaker from Mexico and the high school Spanish literature class I took last year spent an entire semester just in the first few chapters of Don Quijote. This book was really difficult for me since the Spanish is so archaic and so unlike the Spanish I use every day. This video has inspired be to reread Don Quijote. It’s a story I love but I’m so excited to experience it again. I feel so lucky to be able to experience it in its original language, so thank you for this video! I’m feeling so inspired to read this novel again :D
Thank you for that. It was very interesting. I have often wondered what it is to read Don Quixote in its original language. Shakespeare is so difficult to read because the English he wrote and spoke in is very difficult for the modern English speaker. On the other hand, Cervantes is not too difficult, but that is because it is translated into modern English. If the translators were to be faithful to the original, they should translate the book into 16th century English, but I doubt they would get many readers, including myself I have to say.
@@penguinegg01 love your reply! I’ve read some parts of Don Quijote in English and honestly felt very tempted to switch to reading it English entirely because of how much easier it was for me! I decided to stick with the Spanish but yeah the modern English translation is a bit simpler. I cant imagine what a 16th century English Don Quijote translation would read like, but I imagine it would be basically impossible to read for us modern speakers jajaja!
I once tried reading Don Quixote, but, for whatever reason, I disliked it. My mom-who loves the book and great literature-gave me excellent advice: if you don’t like it, stop reading it-for it would be a tragedy not to enjoy reading Don Quixote-and instead come back to it at a later date. So I stopped reading at about 200 pages in. But this video inspired me to pick it back up again. I read the whole thing and found it to be one of the greatest things ever written.
I just got Don Quixote today at my local used book store and happened to purchase the Rutherford translation! Im so excited and hearing you speak so eloquently glowing about the book makes me beyond excited to dive in, thanks for the tips!!
That's so amazing to hear!! I adore the Rutherford so much :) Happy reading, James! And thank you very much for your kind words. I would love to know what you make of Don Quixote!
@@BenjaminMcEvoy I will! Just joined your Hardcore Literature Book Club so I can listen to your breakdown lectures. I just started Count of Monte Cristo this morning, a chapter per day and will also be absorbing as much information as you share! I hope to pick up on your schedule with Pride and Prejudice in April :)
I have recently discovered your channel and I love it. I am Spanish and I have repeatedly read Don Quixote. Your comments are the most accurate and enlightening I have ever heard. Your love of literature is truly commendable. Thank you very much. Excuse my English.
I read the several chapters from Quixote in a Comparative Literature class years ago. The professor asked us to raise our hands if we thought Quixote was crazy. I was the only one in the class who didn't raise their hand. I think he's discontented with the reality of his surroundings and of the time in which he lives and wants things to be different. I'm finally starting to read it all the way through for the first time! I'm so excited. The first modern novel. The first work of metafiction. I can't wait!
William Faulkner told an interviewer Don Quixote was his favorite novel. The interviewer said, "Isn't it too long?" Faulkner replied, "I hadn't noticed."
I felt the same way about this book. Don Quixote and Sancho seem to me real people. I can't think of a more lovable duo in all of fiction. It is also a treasure trove of wisdom, humor, and wit. I could not put it better than Dostoevsky, who wrote, “Of all the beautiful individuals in Christian literature, one stands out as the most perfect, Don Quixote. But he is beautiful only because he is ridiculous.”
Don Quixote it's an experience that cannot really be expressed in words. Fortunately you can read the original version with 400 years old spanish and still enjoy it completely
Thankyou Ben, I’m only 20 Chapters in, and felt compelled to come back to this video and happily say thanks for your advice to take your time with this great piece of work. Reading slow, learning about Cervantes’ real life, journaling and sharing experiences with family and friends… all of this is making this read so much more meaningful.
Thank you so much, Luke!! That really means a lot to me :) I'm so thrilled that you're finding the journey through this incredible work so rewarding. It sounds like you're really living this novel in a powerful way!
Love what you are doing! Thanks for taking the time to share a few tips on reading this novel. Been absolutely absorbed over the last few months falling in love with this classic tale.
Your summary beats TED talks!!! I have enjoyed the history behind a book and adding the Battle of Lepanto helps so much! Would you please remind readers of Philip II and Queen Elizabeth I? These monarchs would have power to support or supress a playwright. Philip II forged the Spanish Inquisition while Queen Elizabeth I was known to be in the audience of Shakespeare's plays. I, too, am a fan of re-reading great works of literature. Thank you for your encouragement to read Don Quixote.
Brilliant explanation of this wonderful many-sided book. For me is undoubtedly the best novel in Spanish and probably one of the best in world’s literature. As an Spaniard, reading it in Spanish is an utter delight, though there are many good versions in English and several other languages. As all the great books it is open to many interpretations and your own one will probably will change with time. For me, right now it is the story of a great friendship and of how one person’s idealism, if truly lived, as Don Quijote’s is, can end up by enthuse others. That and many more things. It is a work where Cervantes pours his experience and views of life, that is, in my opinion, what makes is so long lasting and consistent four centuries after having been written.
If you love Don Quixote (which I absolutely do) and want more of his style, I would strongly recommend Steinbeck, namely Tortilla Flat (1935), Cannery Row (1945), and Sweet Thursday (1954). Like Cervantes, his style and musings are humourous, innocent, charming, and irresistibly endearing. If any author after Cervantes has earned the honorific title of being "quixotic," it is most certainly Steinbeck.
@@emilio2480 innocent as in pure, free from corruption, lighthearted, and fun. It's highly imaginative storytelling is refreshing and enchanting, and as a result the story inspires and invokes childlike innocent wonder.
Cervantes' plays are as underrated as Don Quixote. I think Numancia is a monumental achievement also. And there is theatre even within Don Quixote. The bit with Dorotea as a fictional princess for instance feels like a play.
Hello, Benhamin, from Barcelona, Spain! First time commenting and couldn't resist to tell you THANK YOU in capital letters!! First time watching an English-speaking booktuber talking about this enormous book as Don Quijote is and showing such a great love for it and its writer Don Miguel de Cervantes. Although I haven't read it I have the first paragraph on my mind "En un lugar de La Mancha, de cuyo nombe no quiero acordarme...". When I was a child I used to watch on TV some cartoon series, one episode every weekend and I have loved this book since then. If you re-read it again in a group I would love so much to participate in it. Happy reading!📚🤗🙋♀️
Greetings over to you in Barcelona, my friend :) Beautiful city! And thank you for your kind words. You're right, there aren't too many readers talking about Don Quixote. A shame because it is such a wonderful novel. My personal favourite! We still have some discussion around this novel in the book club as many readers are taking this one nice and slow :) Happy reading!
Fun fact: Marco Polo wrote much of his “Travels” while in prison, too. Of course, he claimed his book was entirely factual. DQ is presented as fiction, but it is chock full of truths! I did read it in Spanish. Bear in mind that you will not learn Cervantes’ Spanish in any 21st century conversational Spanish class.
I told my 11 year old daughter about Don Quixote and after hearing, she had tears in her eyes. I asked her why she was sad. She said that it is sad that we think we have the right to judge people on their perceptions regardless of how real their perceptions might be to them
Wow. That is such a beautiful and profound response to Don Quixote. That has to be the best appreciation of the book I've heard. Your daughter is incredibly smart and empathetic at such a young age!
Dostoiesky wrote that Don Quixote is the greatest novel ever written. Don Quixote represents for me the tragedy of a man that refuses to surrender to the boredom of a common life and voluntarily choose to follow the imagination and the madness. This is clear also in some discussion he has with Sancho Panza where he admits his choice..
Thank you for a great video. I' m rereading Don Quixote after 25 years since the first time. Reading one chapter daily and enjoying it immensely. I'm reading the Tom Lathrop translation from 2011. Lathrop was a Cervantes scholar and has hundreds of very helpful footnotes.
Just started on it today in Spanish. I recommend, for native speakers, the Andrés Trapiello modern Spanish version which is highly rated. I'm on Chapter 8 and enjoying many smiles and laughs! I'm really enjoying it. Back in the late 70s there was a cartoon produced by Spanish TV we all enjoyed as kids so the stories all familiar of course....I particularly remember the cartoons of the giants/windmills. I also own the more recent anniversary publication by the RAE which has loads of annotations and explanations of the old Spanish in which it was originally written but I have it on the shelf as a treasure so to speak....
I read this in January of this year, and I now plan to reread it every January. This book is a towering achievement. It is endlessly deep. I read the Grossman translation and was stunned at how hilarious a 500-year-old novel was. This book impacted me as powerfully as the Gospels.
I have always thought that this should be suggested reading for the American Veterans suffering fom PTSD. Cervantes knew what it was like and this wonderful collection of stories from an old Vet put a real and tender slant on the suffering of those who have seen too much slaughter and suffered too many wounds.
I’m so glad I came across this. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I ordered the audible download of the Edith Grossman edition. This video has convinced me that I need to purchase a hardcopy that I can read and reread. I’m loving the audiobook, however, I find myself desiring more from the actual reading. It’s obvious how much you love what you do keep up the great work and thank you so much.
You may not even see this but I just felt compelled to give an update to my earlier message when I started Don Quixote. Since then I found a William Starkie translation from 1957. I had gotten about 300 pages in and put it aside to read The Once and Future King. I loved that book in High School and I wasn't disappointed with the reread. It's also about knights. But, what I came to say was that I just finished Book One of DQ and it's kind of rocking my world. This book has totally taken me by surprise. At the same time, I picked up Great Expectations at a Little Free Library, and having never read it, am also loving it. I am taking them both slowly doing about 10-20 minimum pages a day as well as reading'/watching some supplemental information that's been very helpful. Your videos kicked started my new interest in the classics and I've set out a loose plan for other works for the year. Just wanted to say thank you for the inspiration to read this amazing book!
Wow! This is so amazing to hear, Sherrie. Thank you so much for sharing your experience of DQ with me! I'm so happy it's rocking your world. I'm actually on a reread myself at the moment because I missed hanging out with the knight and squire - they feel like old friends. Returning to the work again, I'm laughing at their antics, feeling a sense of warmth from their love, and also seeing things I never noticed before. It sounds like your reading is going tremendously well. And you're enjoying Great Expectations too! I'm over the moon :) Thank you so much for your kind words, and keep up the great work with your reading!
Thank you for this. It's almost tragic how few students in junior high, high school, and college are exposed to this great character -- nay, these great characters -- but especially the great knight errant, who sees the best in people. It is not a coincidence that there are so many different interpretations... it is further proof of the greatness of this work. GAF.
A year ago or so, I wrote this... "I used to think Don Quixote was about idealism being its own reward, regardless of whether it's insane, or foolish. And about who is crazier, the one that hopelessly revels against what's wrong in the world, or the one that accepts it unquestioningly. But now I think it might be about the fact if you go on in life "desfaciendo entuertos" (righting wrongs), the usual result is that you'll will end beaten up and shaming yourself". It's funny that you mention that El Quixote is a mirror, that what you get from it is a reflection of yourself more than anything else. There had be profound changes in my life and in myself when I wrote it, and maybe it's just that, that it is a mirror: if you change, what you see in the book changes. Fun fact: even though Shakespeare and Cervantes wrote at the same time, people mostly read Shakespeare today in adapted versions, cause the language of the original it too different from modern language and too difficult to understand, whereas Cervantes is always read by Spanish speakers in the original version, and the language is easy to understand (except for some words that are no longer in use, because they refer to objects, customs, institutions, etc. that no longer exist) and even colloquial by today standards. My dad was born in the area where the novel happens and he used many phrases and proverbs from the book, actually (and I'm not even sure if he did so knowingly or not)
You are so right about not patronizing main characters! What you're saying is so deep,every great literary work is so multiple leveled.Nothing is as it seems.As the saying goes:"don't judge a book by its cover' nor any person for superficial attributes,whether it's a real person or a fictional one.That's what great literature is: a true mystery that has many interpretations.
I've really enjoyed the additional layers of context your video has brought to my Don Quixote reading experience. What an amazing piece of work it is, given as you say nothing like it had ever been written before. I'm also taken aback by how relevant this book remains, it's an astonishing piece of work and I've loved every page. It sits right up in my top three works of fiction.
Thank you so much Benjamin for making this video. The Edith Grossman version of Don Quixote available on kindle and audible rocks! I’d also recommend JR Elliots “History of Spain”, I read it during the intermission between part one and two. I’d also recommend the Open Yale University course on Don Quixote taught by Roberto González Echevarría, Sterling Professor Emeritus of Hispanic and Comparative Literature at Yale. He was a friend of Harold Blooms and his commentary on The Quixote, Spanish History, language, art and culture are invaluable. The more you understand the background behind The Quixote, the more you can appreciate it…..there is SO MUCH to love in this book…..
I’m not a fast reader either. I also used to read my favorite books more than once. As I am 59 now I no longer read a book more than once: there are too many great books and life is too short. I have never read Don Quixote so I appreciate this video as a great motivator.
Thanks, Ben. I'm now really inspired to read Don Quixote. I've just ordered a copy of the Grossman translation. Thanks for your inspiring and passionate videos. As a new subscriber, I'm really enjoying going through your fascinating and informative vids. This year has seen me re-kindle my love of reading. I think it was Frank Zappa who said, "So many books and so little time".
Benjamin , have you read English translations of iconic classic Asian novels ? China has 4 and Japan has one - they are long epic novels like War And Peace especially China China 1- Romance Of Three Kingdoms (120 chapters) 2- Dream of Red Chambers (120 chapters) 3- The Water Margin a) Sidney Shapiro translation 100 chapters b) Dent Young translation 120 chapters 4) Journey To The West (100 chapters) Japan - The Tale Of Genji I personally read all 4 epic novels from China after getting married (my wife is Chinese and her dad was very impressed I read those 4 epic novels ). Dream Of Red Chambers is the most artistic of the 4 to read because it’s very symbolic and semi autobiographical of the author’s own life
Your post has really motivated me to start reading this book, for so long I thought that this is book was not for me. Now I am reading it our little book club
Your reading of the insanity part is right. They are sane. The best Spanish literature doctors agree on this. And it is fiction and Literature, essentially. A confrontation of Man with himself, and not even, an exercise in the use of reason, to make sense of the world. Good video mate.
I am trying to tackle Don Quijote and just learned the name Quijote comes from Lanzarote (Spanish for Lancelot). Not sure if it's true, but makes sense. So far, I've seen the series made by RTVE. The main actor looked like my dad, and acted like my dad. I laughed and frowned. No crying, so far.
You’re a wonderful scout through world‘s literature and the art of reading. More so, I’d see you as a bibliotherapist. To follow you on Patreon as a subscriber serves me as a precious and most effective Jungian psychotherapy. All in my time and pace. The best decision I’ve made this year indeed. Thank you, Benjamin, you are a blessing to me.
Thank you, Florian. I see myself as a literary tour guide through fictional locales, the great lands of imaginative literature :) I appreciate you endlessly!
You certainly have friends in waiting, you’ll see. I first was sceptical, didn’t know if I would find the time, but I do, with ease, as it is such a pleasure and utterly rewarding. Friendly people, open and nonjudgmental
@@BenjaminMcEvoy Thanks I will do. But I have been sidetracked by Jules Verne. Will get to Don Quixote. Many thanks and look forward to more wonderful output!
I read the Grossman translation when it came out and loved it. Now , about 17 or so years later, have started the Lathrop one. Benjamin, your point about slow reading reminded me of a Woody Allen joke of over fifty years ago when Evelyn Wood Reading Dynamics was all the rage in the USA (I'm 70 and remember that fad). Allen says, ... "I read War and Peace in an hour (pause) ... It was about Russia ... I sneezed and missed fifty pages "... ok, maybe you need to hear him do it ...
I tried to read it quickly and lost interest very quickly. My father told me it was his favorite book. Listening to you I will try again. My father was not an avid reader but upon seeing how I read he let me know his favorite. My father has passed recently. Thank you for this video. I feel like I will learn more about him when I read this correctly. Thank You.
I'm blow away. I started reading Don Quixote yesterday and less than 10 pages in and I instantly knew this was a life changing experience. Took your advice and started again as I wanted to go slower than normal and really soak it up. Just unbelievable. Thank you.
Nice one, Heath :) I'd love to hear what you think of it when you get to the end - it's definitely one of those books that surprises people. I couldn't believe it made me laugh when I first picked it up!
Years ago while stuck in my then newly acquired cottage in North Wales, unable to do any work inside or out, as the rain was falling for two weeks non-stop, and the water flowing down the stone walls inside, I read Don Quixote in 12 days, cozily stuck, with decent amount of wine, under the duvet, and on the air pumped mattress. Just recently, while visiting my home country, I've purchased 1932 classic translation; I love that one too. And a few years back my dear friend gifted me the 400 anniversary Spanish edition saying 'you have all those translations, read sentence by sentence, so you can learn Spanish and enjoy it in the original language'! I still struggle with that, but it remains my favourite novel.
Great video! I read Don Quixote almost 10 years ago in the original Spanish, but it was more of a language exercise for me. I don't think I understood it deeply at all so it's definitely ripe for a reread. There is a Yale Open Courses series of lectures on it which is available on TH-cam that I found quite interesting first time round. It goes into some of the nuances that you might miss in translation
Thank you, Emma :) I would love to read it in the original. Thank you for the recommendation, I'll check those out :) I recently started listening to the lectures on the novel by Ilan Stavans and he spoiled the ending within the first few mins. I felt bad for anyone who didn't know the end, but always good to get some linguistic insight!
Ooh I'll check out those lectures. The ones I listened to were by Roberto Echevarría. As far as I remember, he references pieces of Spanish art that influenced Cervantes. I think he also talks about the area of La Mancha and what significance that region would have had for a Spanish reader of that time. I need to rewatch!
I've always loved 'quixotic' as a notion, but my introduction to the story was actually through the opera by Massenet. I remember being bored by the first 3 or 4 acts (that can be music, singing, staging, any number of things), but ended up almost in tears - I remember thinking that he lived *and died* well, as in purely and honestly. What more can one ask for? That was a couple of years ago. I've just ordered the Grossman and am looking forward to it being my big Summer read (in Australia)!
Wow! That is such a cool introduction to the story. I know what I'll be watching this weekend. Coming to the end of reading Don Quixote left me in tears. I never cry. And yet, having spent time with this man who became my friend, feeling his death as though I myself were in the room with him, made me choke up more than any other time I can remember. Even typing this response to you now, I get chills thinking about it. He may have "renounced" his knight errantry, I believe he died every bit a valiant knight. Great choice on the Grossman! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts. And warm welcomes to the club, Rob :)
I’m reading the Grossman version (although I know you love the Rutherford version too) at the moment. 700 pages in. At first glance Part II is quite a bit different than Part I, which takes some getting used to, but I’m getting more and more into the book. By the way, I’m a nerd and don’t want your own reading coloring mine, so I won’t watch this vid till I finish. I also got the Cohen translation, which I found at the thrift shop, because I hope to one day collect and read all the Penguin Classics books (and Everyman and Oxford World’s Classics…and Norton Critical Editions ) and this was a Penguin. I like comparing the writing between the two translations. They’re actually not too dissimilar given the 50 years’ difference between translations. Love your vids and podcast! Hope you keep going for a long time to come. :)
Your passionate praise sways me. I did once read a lot if part one in the Smollett translation, but began to feel I was missing the sort of things Harold Bloom loved so much, including the poignant relationship between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. So I dropped it, grumbling about translations. But I may pick it up again in Rutherford. When you say it took you six months, were you also reading other stuff at the same time? I assume so. I want to start doing that, and with less sense of hurrying.
Currently making my way through this classic (Rutherford translation) I am at part one chapter XV1 so still in the early stages. I am really enjoying it though.
This is my favourite video among a plethora of excellent videos by Benjamin - mainly because it's about my favourite novel, nay, bible! The ultimate text of liberation, it releases you from your obsessions ( for me, it was philosophy ). Many thanks for an excellent presentation!
Thank you, Richard! I appreciate that :) DQ is my favourite novel too - a bible and a textbook for life. I love that idea of it releasing you from your obsessions - what a beautiful way of reading it :)
I read Don Quixote in old Spanish , the first part in the USA . The book was from the library but I couldn’t find the second one in Spanish so I bought the two parts in English plus I read the first one in English from the Shelton original translation . If you want to read Don Quixote to the maximum you have to read it in a old Spanish or at least in Spanish . There’s so many jokes and puns that are not translated into English that is incredible . For example caraculiambro , the name of a giant is translated into English as caraculiambro . The joke is lost in translation literally caraculiambro is a made up word consisting of 3 words cara /culi( culo) hambre - face ass hungry So his name would be something like Hungryassface in English . In other words Cervantes did not care of a great name for a character of a parody and gave us a humorous one instead 😂 . Don Quixote is an impossible dream and to me Don Quixote is Cervantes himself at the end of his life how he was convinced to be a soldier with dreams of impossible feats maybe and found out reality was brutal . Reality is not the romantic dreams of chivalry and glory . He lost his arms , lost his freedom .
even novelist who think they have created something new or a new genre will find it in Don Quixote. he was a modernist centuries before the advent of modernism.
Don Quixote and Sancho become your companions for life when you really get to know them. Without being religious myself, I couldn't stress enough how much of a religious experience reading this novel can be. Having read the original in Spanish and both Grossman and Rutherford's I'd say that, at times I like one better, then, the other. Grossman nails it here. Rutherford's smashes it there. At any rate, I couldn't help but think, though, that Grossman's (being the most recent of the two) draws heavily from Rutherford's. As surely Rutherford's draws a lot from some of the previous translations. I lean towards Rutherford's slightly. great channel. thank you very much.
1:13 About the "original spanish" From everybody spanish native speaker is very difficult read and understand completely a book like Don Quixote. Btw, is my favourite book. Excelente video, saludos desde México.
I just finished reading the Walter Starkie translation. Took me 7 months. My favorite parts were "Marcela's speech" (part I, at end of ch. 14), & part II, chapter 43 (regarding Sancho's use of proverbs - hilarious!). (I also read the J. M. Cohen translation way back in 1986. Took me 3 months.)
The book I had in my possession was the very first translation. A couple big weeks ago I found the Starkie translation at a used book store! Much better!
Just bought a Clothbound Classics edition of Don Quixote with the John Rudford translation. I've never read it before and you've motivated me to try it.
I read it 5 years ago and will read it a second time now that I have these ten tips! I am a firm believer in reading great books that make you think multiple times.
I received Don Quixote as a Christmas present, and can't wait to start reading it. And I will try my hardest to read it slowly and not skim or rush. Also, great video!
I have been listening to an audio book- which is brilliantly read. I came to it with little preconception and have not been reading novels for some years. This is a captivating story and I was surprized to hear myself laughing out loud!
I am loving Grossman's translation and it is wonderful (haven't read others but as a modern reader I am enjoying the tale so..). I am midway through reading this book and I am so pleased and enjoying all the little micro stories woven into the overarching tale. Reading it reminded me of previous works I read in which I enjoyed micro stories woven into a master story such as Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and 1001 Arabian Nights. Of course, the main story to which the micro stories are connected is much meatier and detailed than those works.
Its worth checking out ‘Tirant lo Blanch’ as well. Its a Valencian-Catalan chivalric romance mentioned by Cervantes in Don Quixote. It was one of his influences.
You are so wise! I’m glad to have stumbled upon your channel. I had this novel on my list. I don’t own the book yet. Appreciate the suggestion of what translation is the best. I wish to attempt to read it in the next year or so. Thank you!
As a Spaniard, I would add an eleventh tip: get some historical understanding of Habsburg Spain, especially events like the Expulsion of the Moriscos. (Reading the wikipedia entries will suffice).
I just started reading Don Quixote and they are apparently going to stumble upon some goat herders. However I must give you some props on the re-reading tip. No one wants to hear “re-read Remembrance of Things past.” But I have all the book on audio as well. It is just out of this world, and one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever been gifted in my life time( im48). It’s a note that should be taken with heart. Thank you for this video and I’m more pumped to see what happens with the goat herders. ❤️
Thank you, Grace :) I love your description of Proust's masterpiece. Listening to it on audio is a magical experience. It's one of my go-to listens, along with Ulysses, when I go on long hikes. And I'm so thrilled to hear that you're enjoying Don Quixote! You're at a great part of the novel!!
Started reading it in English then realize the foolish mistake I was making since I can read Spanish. I’m 1/4 of the way into it now and enjoying it quite well. This channel has change my approach to how I read. I’ve embraced Benjamin’s advise to read slowly and meaningfully as opposed to reading for checking-it-off-the-list and that has made a big difference. I’m also reading great literature or at least being conscientious of what I pick up. My current style is to read 2 difficult/long works of great merit and a shorter, easier one concurrently. I’m currently reading Don Quixote and re-reading Moby Dick, along with One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Thank you for your insights, Benjamin.
It's always nice to hear someone else who doesn't think the Ingenious Gentleman was mad, but you're absolutely right: it's different for every reader, and every time you read it.
I'm connecting so much with Sancho and Don Quixote. I can only remember feeling like this with Jean Valjean from Les Miserables and Edmond Dantes from The Count of Monte Cristo. Legends
I'm thrilled to hear that. I feel the same way - DQ & Sancho became my friends in much the same way that Jean Valjean, and Ishmael from Moby Dick, became my friends. Beautiful books :)
Benjamin, great your video. You bring to my mind comentaries about DQ in the way of Borges or Nabokov. You are so in feeling with DQ as Dostoievski or Freud, Who learnt spanish to read all the Cervantes writtens. By the way, there is another quote on el Quijote by Dostoievski that you can find online, and Will enjoy It.
Thank you, Luis :) I've enjoyed Borges and Nabokov myself - although I must say I'm in slight disagreement with Nabokov who said that DQ wasn't a masterpiece in his lectures. It's a book that's worth learning Spanish to read - in fact, I aim to do so too :) Thanks for the great comment, my friend!
@@BenjaminMcEvoy Nabokov really hated to Cervantes. He thought that the writer was very cruel with D. Quixote. That's so funny that he is so mad as D. Quixote in the chapter of the retablo of Maese Pedro.
I’ve just picked up a copy today, I’ve never attempted such a large book before, so I put marks at every 100th page to encourage me, but after reading about 50 pages I’m already really enjoying it! Though the book I read before it was notes from the underground! Quite a change haha!
Reading for the first time. I’ve made it past the encounter with the Benedictine monks when I thought I would see if you made a video, and you did! The hints are most helpful. Love the idea of learning more about Cervantes. From the get go I am intrigued by the relationship between Don Quixote and Sancho. I am going to slow down my reading to journal my thoughts on that as well as track the emotions I feel as they venture on. I have mixed feelings about Quixote from pity to amusement to annoyance. And speaking of emotions, I was horrified and saddened when his library was closed off from him and books burned! Anyway, thank you for your videos. You’re enhancing my reading experience!
What do you think about the old Penguin Classic edition by Cohen?? They have replaced it, as they have many works. I had a beautiful Modern Library edition of the Motteux version. But I think I lost it for good!! Tragedy
Thank you so much for the information about the translations. I started with the Jervas translation and found it tiresome to read. Then I tried an audiobook which was the Smollett translation and got a little further but not much. Now I have the audiobook that is the Grossman translation and what a difference it makes. It's very enjoyable. I think I might make it this time!
I bought a new-looking paperback copy at goodwill for 99 cents. Its the Edith Grossman translation. I'm just wondering if I should first read it in Spanish or English. Spanish is my first language, but English is my primary language. I went to English schools from K-college so I write and read better in English. But my Spanish is not that far behind either. I already have the english translation, so I'd have to obtain a Spanish copy.
@@BenjaminMcEvoy yes i do! so far i was blown away by Marcella's speech during Grisostomo's funeral and laughed out loud during the fight in the darkness between Sancho, the innkeeper, the muledriver and Maritornes 😂 i'm so eager to discover more gems in the rest of the book! 🤗
I only found your channel the last couple of days and have immensely enjoyed watching several of the episodes. I just recently read The Count of Monte Cristo and have decided to take on Don Quixote per your recommendations. Through a coincidence, I came into possession a few years ago of the Harvard Classics - Collectors Edition. The translation of Don Quixote is by Thomas Shelton. It does have a brief authors preface and "certain sonnets." My guess is that this is an abridged version as it is just over 500 pages. I started today and have read three chapters. Would you recommend I continue or get one of the other translations? I'm ok with it so far but notice that the sentences are a full paragraph long, haha. Is that indicative of this translation or the same with others? I am certainly okay with that just wondering what your recommendation would be. I'm going to subscribe to your podcast! I tried Anna Karenina a few years ago and gave up at the half point. I have no idea what translation I had but, I will get through this one first and decide if I want to give Anna another go. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for literature!
I would recommend reading the Maxims of Francois De La Rouchefoucauld no book has given me so much knowledge, and different emotions from laughter, anger, it has made me want to cry and it has made me ask a lot of questions, and it has raised my understanding of the human condition
Don't make the mistake of reading Don Quixote quickly. The best scenes are those of Don Quixote and Sancho conversing as they amble across the countryside. Try to imagine you are moving alongside this mismatched pair as they discuss life, love and virtue. Take your time, as they did.
Beautiful tip. This is absolutely the best way to experience DQ :)
Quickly? Its over 1100 pages!
@@lovrevia7638 People who read DQ read lots of other books. Because it is so long there is a temptation to plow through the novel in order to get to other books. Readers will miss the changing mood of the novel if they do that. I say be willing to give DQ the time it deserves. Let the TBR pile wait.
Sure, for the first half, then it really gets repetitive other than the core parts of the story
@@lovrevia7638 😂😂😂
One of the great things about Quixote is that the chapters are basically very brief, and story arcs generally are wrapped up in two or three chapters at most. This makes for good episodic, gradual reading.
Finished Don Quixote few days ago, the original version as I am Spanish. Could not agree more with what you say. I sent your video to my father and he said this was the best literature class of his entire life.
Wow :) Nice one, Eduardo! I can't wait to read it in the original myself. And thank you for sharing my video with your father - you're both too kind!
In Don Quixote, Cervantes makes a reference to ‘Tirant lo Blanch’, a chivalric romance written in Valencian-Catalan which influenced Quixote. It is unusual for a romance, as its characters are more natural and human, and it is a bit satirical too.
I’m a native Spanish speaker from Mexico and the high school Spanish literature class I took last year spent an entire semester just in the first few chapters of Don Quijote. This book was really difficult for me since the Spanish is so archaic and so unlike the Spanish I use every day. This video has inspired be to reread Don Quijote. It’s a story I love but I’m so excited to experience it again. I feel so lucky to be able to experience it in its original language, so thank you for this video! I’m feeling so inspired to read this novel again :D
Thank you for that. It was very interesting. I have often wondered what it is to read Don Quixote in its original language. Shakespeare is so difficult to read because the English he wrote and spoke in is very difficult for the modern English speaker. On the other hand, Cervantes is not too difficult, but that is because it is translated into modern English. If the translators were to be faithful to the original, they should translate the book into 16th century English, but I doubt they would get many readers, including myself I have to say.
@@penguinegg01 love your reply! I’ve read some parts of Don Quijote in English and honestly felt very tempted to switch to reading it English entirely because of how much easier it was for me! I decided to stick with the Spanish but yeah the modern English translation is a bit simpler. I cant imagine what a 16th century English Don Quijote translation would read like, but I imagine it would be basically impossible to read for us modern speakers jajaja!
I once tried reading Don Quixote, but, for whatever reason, I disliked it. My mom-who loves the book and great literature-gave me excellent advice: if you don’t like it, stop reading it-for it would be a tragedy not to enjoy reading Don Quixote-and instead come back to it at a later date. So I stopped reading at about 200 pages in. But this video inspired me to pick it back up again. I read the whole thing and found it to be one of the greatest things ever written.
I just got Don Quixote today at my local used book store and happened to purchase the Rutherford translation! Im so excited and hearing you speak so eloquently glowing about the book makes me beyond excited to dive in, thanks for the tips!!
That's so amazing to hear!! I adore the Rutherford so much :) Happy reading, James! And thank you very much for your kind words. I would love to know what you make of Don Quixote!
@@BenjaminMcEvoy I will! Just joined your Hardcore Literature Book Club so I can listen to your breakdown lectures. I just started Count of Monte Cristo this morning, a chapter per day and will also be absorbing as much information as you share! I hope to pick up on your schedule with Pride and Prejudice in April :)
I have recently discovered your channel and I love it. I am Spanish and I have repeatedly read Don Quixote. Your comments are the most accurate and enlightening I have ever heard. Your love of literature is truly commendable. Thank you very much. Excuse my English.
I read the several chapters from Quixote in a Comparative Literature class years ago. The professor asked us to raise our hands if we thought Quixote was crazy. I was the only one in the class who didn't raise their hand. I think he's discontented with the reality of his surroundings and of the time in which he lives and wants things to be different. I'm finally starting to read it all the way through for the first time! I'm so excited. The first modern novel. The first work of metafiction. I can't wait!
William Faulkner told an interviewer Don Quixote was his favorite novel. The interviewer said, "Isn't it too long?" Faulkner replied, "I hadn't noticed."
Ha! Perfect reply from Faulkner :)
I felt the same way about this book. Don Quixote and Sancho seem to me real people. I can't think of a more lovable duo in all of fiction. It is also a treasure trove of wisdom, humor, and wit. I could not put it better than Dostoevsky, who wrote, “Of all the beautiful individuals in Christian literature, one stands out as the most perfect, Don Quixote. But he is beautiful only because he is ridiculous.”
Wow! I love that quote. Thank you so much for sharing. You and Dostoyevsky both put it perfectly :)
Sounds like something Dostoyevsky would say. I love Dostoyevsky’s depth & twisted (in the most brilliant ways) psychology.
Don Quixote it's an experience that cannot really be expressed in words.
Fortunately you can read the original version with 400 years old spanish and still enjoy it completely
Thankyou Ben,
I’m only 20 Chapters in, and felt compelled to come back to this video and happily say thanks for your advice to take your time with this great piece of work.
Reading slow, learning about Cervantes’ real life, journaling and sharing experiences with family and friends… all of this is making this read so much more meaningful.
Thank you so much, Luke!! That really means a lot to me :) I'm so thrilled that you're finding the journey through this incredible work so rewarding. It sounds like you're really living this novel in a powerful way!
Love what you are doing! Thanks for taking the time to share a few tips on reading this novel. Been absolutely absorbed over the last few months falling in love with this classic tale.
Your summary beats TED talks!!! I have enjoyed the history behind a book and adding the Battle of Lepanto helps so much! Would you please remind readers of Philip II and Queen Elizabeth I? These monarchs would have power to support or supress a playwright. Philip II forged the Spanish Inquisition while Queen Elizabeth I was known to be in the audience of Shakespeare's plays. I, too, am a fan of re-reading great works of literature. Thank you for your encouragement to read Don Quixote.
Brilliant explanation of this wonderful many-sided book. For me is undoubtedly the best novel in Spanish and probably one of the best in world’s literature. As an Spaniard, reading it in Spanish is an utter delight, though there are many good versions in English and several other languages. As all the great books it is open to many interpretations and your own one will probably will change with time. For me, right now it is the story of a great friendship and of how one person’s idealism, if truly lived, as Don Quijote’s is, can end up by enthuse others. That and many more things. It is a work where Cervantes pours his experience and views of life, that is, in my opinion, what makes is so long lasting and consistent four centuries after having been written.
If you love Don Quixote (which I absolutely do) and want more of his style, I would strongly recommend Steinbeck, namely Tortilla Flat (1935), Cannery Row (1945), and Sweet Thursday (1954). Like Cervantes, his style and musings are humourous, innocent, charming, and irresistibly endearing. If any author after Cervantes has earned the honorific title of being "quixotic," it is most certainly Steinbeck.
What in Cervantes is innocent? Why you say it?
@@emilio2480 innocent as in pure, free from corruption, lighthearted, and fun. It's highly imaginative storytelling is refreshing and enchanting, and as a result the story inspires and invokes childlike innocent wonder.
@@orthobro7956 Prince Myshkin was a pure dude
Picked up the Rutherford translation today, and I'm excited to dig in! Even the prologue is already really good.
Cervantes' plays are as underrated as Don Quixote. I think Numancia is a monumental achievement also. And there is theatre even within Don Quixote. The bit with Dorotea as a fictional princess for instance feels like a play.
Hello, Benhamin, from Barcelona, Spain! First time commenting and couldn't resist to tell you THANK YOU in capital letters!! First time watching an English-speaking booktuber talking about this enormous book as Don Quijote is and showing such a great love for it and its writer Don Miguel de Cervantes. Although I haven't read it I have the first paragraph on my mind "En un lugar de La Mancha, de cuyo nombe no quiero acordarme...". When I was a child I used to watch on TV some cartoon series, one episode every weekend and I have loved this book since then. If you re-read it again in a group I would love so much to participate in it. Happy reading!📚🤗🙋♀️
Greetings over to you in Barcelona, my friend :) Beautiful city! And thank you for your kind words. You're right, there aren't too many readers talking about Don Quixote. A shame because it is such a wonderful novel. My personal favourite! We still have some discussion around this novel in the book club as many readers are taking this one nice and slow :) Happy reading!
Fun fact: Marco Polo wrote much of his “Travels” while in prison, too. Of course, he claimed his book was entirely factual. DQ is presented as fiction, but it is chock full of truths! I did read it in Spanish. Bear in mind that you will not learn Cervantes’ Spanish in any 21st century conversational Spanish class.
I told my 11 year old daughter about Don Quixote and after hearing, she had tears in her eyes. I asked her why she was sad. She said that it is sad that we think we have the right to judge people on their perceptions regardless of how real their perceptions might be to them
Wow. That is such a beautiful and profound response to Don Quixote. That has to be the best appreciation of the book I've heard. Your daughter is incredibly smart and empathetic at such a young age!
Bullshit
Dostoiesky wrote that Don Quixote is the greatest novel ever written. Don Quixote represents for me the tragedy of a man that refuses to surrender to the boredom of a common life and voluntarily choose to follow the imagination and the madness. This is clear also in some discussion he has with Sancho Panza where he admits his choice..
Thank you for a great video. I' m rereading Don Quixote after 25 years since the first time. Reading one chapter daily and enjoying it immensely. I'm reading the Tom Lathrop translation from 2011. Lathrop was a Cervantes scholar and has hundreds of very helpful footnotes.
Great timing! Just ordered grossman edition earlier today, will start reading soon, super excited. Great video, as always.
Amazing :) Thank you, Faizan! I hope you enjoy it!
Just started on it today in Spanish. I recommend, for native speakers, the Andrés Trapiello modern Spanish version which is highly rated. I'm on Chapter 8 and enjoying many smiles and laughs! I'm really enjoying it. Back in the late 70s there was a cartoon produced by Spanish TV we all enjoyed as kids so the stories all familiar of course....I particularly remember the cartoons of the giants/windmills. I also own the more recent anniversary publication by the RAE which has loads of annotations and explanations of the old Spanish in which it was originally written but I have it on the shelf as a treasure so to speak....
I read this in January of this year, and I now plan to reread it every January. This book is a towering achievement. It is endlessly deep. I read the Grossman translation and was stunned at how hilarious a 500-year-old novel was. This book impacted me as powerfully as the Gospels.
I have always thought that this should be suggested reading for the American Veterans suffering fom PTSD. Cervantes knew what it was like and this wonderful collection of stories from an old Vet put a real and tender slant on the suffering of those who have seen too much slaughter and suffered too many wounds.
I’m so glad I came across this. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I ordered the audible download of the Edith Grossman edition. This video has convinced me that I need to purchase a hardcopy that I can read and reread. I’m loving the audiobook, however, I find myself desiring more from the actual reading. It’s obvious how much you love what you do keep up the great work and thank you so much.
You may not even see this but I just felt compelled to give an update to my earlier message when I started Don Quixote. Since then I found a William Starkie translation from 1957. I had gotten about 300 pages in and put it aside to read The Once and Future King. I loved that book in High School and I wasn't disappointed with the reread. It's also about knights. But, what I came to say was that I just finished Book One of DQ and it's kind of rocking my world. This book has totally taken me by surprise. At the same time, I picked up Great Expectations at a Little Free Library, and having never read it, am also loving it. I am taking them both slowly doing about 10-20 minimum pages a day as well as reading'/watching some supplemental information that's been very helpful. Your videos kicked started my new interest in the classics and I've set out a loose plan for other works for the year. Just wanted to say thank you for the inspiration to read this amazing book!
Wow! This is so amazing to hear, Sherrie. Thank you so much for sharing your experience of DQ with me! I'm so happy it's rocking your world. I'm actually on a reread myself at the moment because I missed hanging out with the knight and squire - they feel like old friends. Returning to the work again, I'm laughing at their antics, feeling a sense of warmth from their love, and also seeing things I never noticed before. It sounds like your reading is going tremendously well. And you're enjoying Great Expectations too! I'm over the moon :) Thank you so much for your kind words, and keep up the great work with your reading!
Thank you for this. It's almost tragic how few students in junior high, high school, and college are exposed to this great character -- nay, these great characters -- but especially the great knight errant, who sees the best in people. It is not a coincidence that there are so many different interpretations... it is further proof of the greatness of this work. GAF.
A year ago or so, I wrote this...
"I used to think Don Quixote was about idealism being its own reward, regardless of whether it's insane, or foolish. And about who is crazier, the one that hopelessly revels against what's wrong in the world, or the one that accepts it unquestioningly. But now I think it might be about the fact if you go on in life "desfaciendo entuertos" (righting wrongs), the usual result is that you'll will end beaten up and shaming yourself".
It's funny that you mention that El Quixote is a mirror, that what you get from it is a reflection of yourself more than anything else. There had be profound changes in my life and in myself when I wrote it, and maybe it's just that, that it is a mirror: if you change, what you see in the book changes.
Fun fact: even though Shakespeare and Cervantes wrote at the same time, people mostly read Shakespeare today in adapted versions, cause the language of the original it too different from modern language and too difficult to understand, whereas Cervantes is always read by Spanish speakers in the original version, and the language is easy to understand (except for some words that are no longer in use, because they refer to objects, customs, institutions, etc. that no longer exist) and even colloquial by today standards. My dad was born in the area where the novel happens and he used many phrases and proverbs from the book, actually (and I'm not even sure if he did so knowingly or not)
You are so right about not patronizing main characters! What you're saying is so deep,every great literary work is so multiple leveled.Nothing is as it seems.As the saying goes:"don't judge a book by its cover' nor any person for superficial attributes,whether it's a real person or a fictional one.That's what great literature is: a true mystery that has many interpretations.
I've really enjoyed the additional layers of context your video has brought to my Don Quixote reading experience. What an amazing piece of work it is, given as you say nothing like it had ever been written before. I'm also taken aback by how relevant this book remains, it's an astonishing piece of work and I've loved every page. It sits right up in my top three works of fiction.
what are the other 2 most favorite?
Thank you so much Benjamin for making this video. The Edith Grossman version of Don Quixote available on kindle and audible rocks! I’d also recommend JR Elliots “History of Spain”, I read it during the intermission between part one and two. I’d also recommend the Open Yale University course on Don Quixote taught by Roberto González Echevarría, Sterling Professor Emeritus of Hispanic and Comparative Literature at Yale. He was a friend of Harold Blooms and his commentary on The Quixote, Spanish History, language, art and culture are invaluable. The more you understand the background behind The Quixote, the more you can appreciate it…..there is SO MUCH to love in this book…..
I’m not a fast reader either. I also used to read my favorite books more than once. As I am 59 now I no longer read a book more than once: there are too many great books and life is too short. I have never read Don Quixote so I appreciate this video as a great motivator.
Thanks, Ben. I'm now really inspired to read Don Quixote. I've just ordered a copy of the Grossman translation. Thanks for your inspiring and passionate videos. As a new subscriber, I'm really enjoying going through your fascinating and informative vids. This year has seen me re-kindle my love of reading. I think it was Frank Zappa who said, "So many books and so little time".
First read the Quixote about 15 years ago. Just finished my second reading of it. A beautiful novel. So much of life and wisdom and humanity in there.
Benjamin , have you read English translations of iconic classic Asian novels ? China has 4 and Japan has one - they are long epic novels like War And Peace especially China
China
1- Romance Of Three Kingdoms (120 chapters)
2- Dream of Red Chambers (120 chapters)
3- The Water Margin
a) Sidney Shapiro translation 100 chapters
b) Dent Young translation 120 chapters
4) Journey To The West (100 chapters)
Japan - The Tale Of Genji
I personally read all 4 epic novels from China after getting married (my wife is Chinese and her dad was very impressed I read those 4 epic novels ). Dream Of Red Chambers is the most artistic of the 4 to read because it’s very symbolic and semi autobiographical of the author’s own life
Your post has really motivated me to start reading this book, for so long I thought that this is book was not for me. Now I am reading it our little book club
Glad I could motivate you :) I would love to know what you think of it! Happy reading!
Your reading of the insanity part is right. They are sane. The best Spanish literature doctors agree on this. And it is fiction and Literature, essentially. A confrontation of Man with himself, and not even, an exercise in the use of reason, to make sense of the world. Good video mate.
Thank you, my friend :)
I am trying to tackle Don Quijote and just learned the name Quijote comes from Lanzarote (Spanish for Lancelot). Not sure if it's true, but makes sense. So far, I've seen the series made by RTVE. The main actor looked like my dad, and acted like my dad. I laughed and frowned. No crying, so far.
I’m in. I certainly am. Thank you for telling me which translation you’ll reading from.
Perfect :)
You’re a wonderful scout through world‘s literature and the art of reading. More so, I’d see you as a bibliotherapist. To follow you on Patreon as a subscriber serves me as a precious and most effective Jungian psychotherapy. All in my time and pace. The best decision I’ve made this year indeed. Thank you, Benjamin, you are a blessing to me.
I can’t wait to join your group. My mind is on fire with seeing reading in a new light and having a group of new serious reading ‘friends”. Thank you.
I have already enjoyed six of your presentations just in my first day.
Thank you, Florian. I see myself as a literary tour guide through fictional locales, the great lands of imaginative literature :) I appreciate you endlessly!
@@joanestrada2544 Thank you, Joan :) You will be warmly welcomed and you have friends in waiting :)
You certainly have friends in waiting, you’ll see. I first was sceptical, didn’t know if I would find the time, but I do, with ease, as it is such a pleasure and utterly rewarding. Friendly people, open and nonjudgmental
Hurray for plugging Don Quixote. I always wish the book was longer.
I'm rereading it again now and wishing it was longer too!
I just finished reading this about a month ago and I'm ready to reread it again!! I miss the characters so much!! Thank you!!
Powerful video and message, thank you. You have inspired me to begin Don Quixote.
Thank you, Charlie. I'm so happy to hear that :) I'd love to know what you think of one of my favourite novels! Happy reading :)
@@BenjaminMcEvoy Thanks I will do. But I have been sidetracked by Jules Verne. Will get to Don Quixote. Many thanks and look forward to more wonderful output!
I read the Grossman translation when it came out and loved it. Now , about 17 or so years later, have started the Lathrop one. Benjamin, your point about slow reading reminded me of a Woody Allen joke of over fifty years ago when Evelyn Wood Reading Dynamics was all the rage in the USA (I'm 70 and remember that fad). Allen says, ... "I read War and Peace in an hour (pause) ... It was about Russia ... I sneezed and missed fifty pages "... ok, maybe you need to hear him do it ...
🤣🤣
I tried to read it quickly and lost interest very quickly. My father told me it was his favorite book. Listening to you I will try again. My father was not an avid reader but upon seeing how I read he let me know his favorite. My father has passed recently. Thank you for this video. I feel like I will learn more about him when I read this correctly. Thank You.
I'm blow away. I started reading Don Quixote yesterday and less than 10 pages in and I instantly knew this was a life changing experience. Took your advice and started again as I wanted to go slower than normal and really soak it up. Just unbelievable. Thank you.
Nice one, Heath :) I'd love to hear what you think of it when you get to the end - it's definitely one of those books that surprises people. I couldn't believe it made me laugh when I first picked it up!
@@BenjaminMcEvoy I definitely will.. I rarely burst out laughing but I was just a few pages in..
@@heathmotley9675 have u finished it?
@@ThinkLuckyThink I have less than a hundred pages left. I have many iron's in the fire.
Years ago while stuck in my then newly acquired cottage in North Wales, unable to do any work inside or out, as the rain was falling for two weeks non-stop, and the water flowing down the stone walls inside, I read Don Quixote in 12 days, cozily stuck, with decent amount of wine, under the duvet, and on the air pumped mattress. Just recently, while visiting my home country, I've purchased 1932 classic translation; I love that one too. And a few years back my dear friend gifted me the 400 anniversary Spanish edition saying 'you have all those translations, read sentence by sentence, so you can learn Spanish and enjoy it in the original language'! I still struggle with that, but it remains my favourite novel.
Great video! I read Don Quixote almost 10 years ago in the original Spanish, but it was more of a language exercise for me. I don't think I understood it deeply at all so it's definitely ripe for a reread. There is a Yale Open Courses series of lectures on it which is available on TH-cam that I found quite interesting first time round. It goes into some of the nuances that you might miss in translation
Thank you, Emma :) I would love to read it in the original. Thank you for the recommendation, I'll check those out :) I recently started listening to the lectures on the novel by Ilan Stavans and he spoiled the ending within the first few mins. I felt bad for anyone who didn't know the end, but always good to get some linguistic insight!
Ooh I'll check out those lectures. The ones I listened to were by Roberto Echevarría. As far as I remember, he references pieces of Spanish art that influenced Cervantes. I think he also talks about the area of La Mancha and what significance that region would have had for a Spanish reader of that time. I need to rewatch!
I've always loved 'quixotic' as a notion, but my introduction to the story was actually through the opera by Massenet. I remember being bored by the first 3 or 4 acts (that can be music, singing, staging, any number of things), but ended up almost in tears - I remember thinking that he lived *and died* well, as in purely and honestly. What more can one ask for? That was a couple of years ago. I've just ordered the Grossman and am looking forward to it being my big Summer read (in Australia)!
Wow! That is such a cool introduction to the story. I know what I'll be watching this weekend. Coming to the end of reading Don Quixote left me in tears. I never cry. And yet, having spent time with this man who became my friend, feeling his death as though I myself were in the room with him, made me choke up more than any other time I can remember. Even typing this response to you now, I get chills thinking about it. He may have "renounced" his knight errantry, I believe he died every bit a valiant knight. Great choice on the Grossman! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts. And warm welcomes to the club, Rob :)
I’m reading the Grossman version (although I know you love the Rutherford version too) at the moment. 700 pages in. At first glance Part II is quite a bit different than Part I, which takes some getting used to, but I’m getting more and more into the book.
By the way, I’m a nerd and don’t want your own reading coloring mine, so I won’t watch this vid till I finish. I also got the Cohen translation, which I found at the thrift shop, because I hope to one day collect and read all the Penguin Classics books (and Everyman and Oxford World’s Classics…and Norton Critical Editions ) and this was a Penguin. I like comparing the writing between the two translations. They’re actually not too dissimilar given the 50 years’ difference between translations. Love your vids and podcast! Hope you keep going for a long time to come. :)
Your passionate praise sways me. I did once read a lot if part one in the Smollett translation, but began to feel I was missing the sort of things Harold Bloom loved so much, including the poignant relationship between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. So I dropped it, grumbling about translations. But I may pick it up again in Rutherford. When you say it took you six months, were you also reading other stuff at the same time? I assume so. I want to start doing that, and with less sense of hurrying.
Currently making my way through this classic (Rutherford translation) I am at part one chapter XV1 so still in the early stages. I am really enjoying it though.
Nice one, Matt! I'm so happy you're enjoying it :)
This is my favourite video among a plethora of excellent videos by Benjamin - mainly because it's about my favourite novel, nay, bible! The ultimate text of liberation, it releases you from your obsessions ( for me, it was philosophy ). Many thanks for an excellent presentation!
Thank you, Richard! I appreciate that :) DQ is my favourite novel too - a bible and a textbook for life. I love that idea of it releasing you from your obsessions - what a beautiful way of reading it :)
I read Don Quixote in old Spanish , the first part in the USA . The book was from the library but I couldn’t find the second one in Spanish so I bought the two parts in English plus I read the first one in English from the Shelton original translation .
If you want to read Don Quixote to the maximum you have to read it in a old Spanish or at least in Spanish . There’s so many jokes and puns that are not translated into English that is incredible . For example caraculiambro , the name of a giant is translated into English as caraculiambro . The joke is lost in translation literally caraculiambro is a made up word consisting of 3 words cara /culi( culo) hambre - face ass hungry
So his name would be something like
Hungryassface in English . In other words Cervantes did not care of a great name for a character of a parody and gave us a humorous one instead 😂 . Don Quixote is an impossible dream and to me Don Quixote is Cervantes himself at the end of his life how he was convinced to be a soldier with dreams of impossible feats maybe and found out reality was brutal . Reality is not the romantic dreams of chivalry and glory . He lost his arms , lost his freedom .
even novelist who think they have created something new or a new genre will find it in Don Quixote.
he was a modernist centuries before the advent of modernism.
Don Quixote and Sancho become your companions for life when you really get to know them. Without being religious myself, I couldn't stress enough how much of a religious experience reading this novel can be. Having read the original in Spanish and both Grossman and Rutherford's I'd say that, at times I like one better, then, the other. Grossman nails it here. Rutherford's smashes it there. At any rate, I couldn't help but think, though, that Grossman's (being the most recent of the two) draws heavily from Rutherford's. As surely Rutherford's draws a lot from some of the previous translations. I lean towards Rutherford's slightly. great channel. thank you very much.
1:13
About the "original spanish"
From everybody spanish native speaker is very difficult read and understand completely a book like Don Quixote. Btw, is my favourite book.
Excelente video, saludos desde México.
I just finished reading the Walter Starkie translation. Took me 7 months. My favorite parts were "Marcela's speech" (part I, at end of ch. 14), & part II, chapter 43 (regarding Sancho's use of proverbs - hilarious!). (I also read the J. M. Cohen translation way back in 1986. Took me 3 months.)
The book I had in my possession was the very first translation. A couple big weeks ago I found the Starkie translation at a used book store! Much better!
Just bought a Clothbound Classics edition of Don Quixote with the John Rudford translation. I've never read it before and you've motivated me to try it.
I read it 5 years ago and will read it a second time now that I have these ten tips! I am a firm believer in reading great books that make you think multiple times.
Nice one, Stephen :) I'd love to hear what you make of it this time around! You certainly do see different things with each reread!
I received Don Quixote as a Christmas present, and can't wait to start reading it. And I will try my hardest to read it slowly and not skim or rush. Also, great video!
Wonderful Christmas present! Happy reading :) Let me know what you think of my favourite novel!
I have been listening to an audio book- which is brilliantly read. I came to it with little preconception and have not been reading novels for some years. This is a captivating story and I was surprized to hear myself laughing out loud!
Wonderful to hear someone who loves Don Q. as much as I do. I'm reading it in the original now, read it twice before. Think about it on a daily basis.
I am loving Grossman's translation and it is wonderful (haven't read others but as a modern reader I am enjoying the tale so..). I am midway through reading this book and I am so pleased and enjoying all the little micro stories woven into the overarching tale. Reading it reminded me of previous works I read in which I enjoyed micro stories woven into a master story such as Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and 1001 Arabian Nights. Of course, the main story to which the micro stories are connected is much meatier and detailed than those works.
I think 2022 will be the year I finally read Don Quijote ( I have it in Spanish). Great tips. Thanks!!
Yay :) Let me know what you think of it. I'm envious you get to enjoy it in the original!
Reading the Grossman translation opened my mind to Cervantes in the mot wonderful way!
I'm so happy to hear that!
Thank you. I thought I would skip this one. After watching this video - I changed my mind. I’m sold😄.
I am so elated to hear that :)
Hello, Ben I'm from Argentina and I'm pleased with your review of this book!
Thank you so much, Mario! I appreciate you watching in beautiful Argentina! 🇦🇷☺️
Its worth checking out ‘Tirant lo Blanch’ as well. Its a Valencian-Catalan chivalric romance mentioned by Cervantes in Don Quixote. It was one of his influences.
You are so wise! I’m glad to have stumbled upon your channel. I had this novel on my list. I don’t own the book yet. Appreciate the suggestion of what translation is the best. I wish to attempt to read it in the next year or so. Thank you!
You got me at the friendship part. Always love literature with inspiring friendships. Sigh. Now I'll have to buy myself a copy.
Me too :) Don Quixote + Moby Dick are the two that, for me, have the warmest depictions of great friends.
@@BenjaminMcEvoy nice! thanks for the recommendations! :)
This is my favorite book of all time ❤. This video does a great service for readers and this masterpiece!
Thank you. I’ll take your advice in this video - I own the English translation of this novel but only read the first 3 pages of chapter one
I'm FINALLY starting this this weekend!! So excited!!
Fantastic insight. You are talented. Loved the commentary.
Thank you so much, Alex! I really appreciate that :)
As a Spaniard, I would add an eleventh tip: get some historical understanding of Habsburg Spain, especially events like the Expulsion of the Moriscos. (Reading the wikipedia entries will suffice).
This is the greatest novel of all time. I read the Grossman translation and just bought the Rutherford translation for my first reread.
I have Don Quixote in Spanish (on my phone) that I plan to read while I travel around Spain for two months this autumn. It just seems appropriate.
That sounds like such a dream trip, Kathy :) I'd love to know what you make of the experience!
I just started reading Don Quixote and they are apparently going to stumble upon some goat herders. However I must give you some props on the re-reading tip. No one wants to hear “re-read Remembrance of Things past.” But I have all the book on audio as well. It is just out of this world, and one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever been gifted in my life time( im48). It’s a note that should be taken with heart. Thank you for this video and I’m more pumped to see what happens with the goat herders. ❤️
Thank you, Grace :) I love your description of Proust's masterpiece. Listening to it on audio is a magical experience. It's one of my go-to listens, along with Ulysses, when I go on long hikes. And I'm so thrilled to hear that you're enjoying Don Quixote! You're at a great part of the novel!!
Started reading it in English then realize the foolish mistake I was making since I can read Spanish. I’m 1/4 of the way into it now and enjoying it quite well. This channel has change my approach to how I read. I’ve embraced Benjamin’s advise to read slowly and meaningfully as opposed to reading for checking-it-off-the-list and that has made a big difference. I’m also reading great literature or at least being conscientious of what I pick up. My current style is to read 2 difficult/long works of great merit and a shorter, easier one concurrently. I’m currently reading Don Quixote and re-reading Moby Dick, along with One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Thank you for your insights, Benjamin.
It's always nice to hear someone else who doesn't think the Ingenious Gentleman was mad, but you're absolutely right: it's different for every reader, and every time you read it.
Humor as a way to deliver wisdom. That's what (i think) Cervantes gift was to literature ..
I'm 100% with you there!
Nice detail with the location being listed as “El Toboso”
Ha, thank you ;)
I'm connecting so much with Sancho and Don Quixote. I can only remember feeling like this with Jean Valjean from Les Miserables and Edmond Dantes from The Count of Monte Cristo. Legends
I'm thrilled to hear that. I feel the same way - DQ & Sancho became my friends in much the same way that Jean Valjean, and Ishmael from Moby Dick, became my friends. Beautiful books :)
In the fifth chapter, Reading Motteux translation (1712), great tips
Wonderful :)
Benjamin, great your video. You bring to my mind comentaries about DQ in the way of Borges or Nabokov. You are so in feeling with DQ as Dostoievski or Freud, Who learnt spanish to read all the Cervantes writtens. By the way, there is another quote on el Quijote by Dostoievski that you can find online, and Will enjoy It.
Thank you, Luis :) I've enjoyed Borges and Nabokov myself - although I must say I'm in slight disagreement with Nabokov who said that DQ wasn't a masterpiece in his lectures. It's a book that's worth learning Spanish to read - in fact, I aim to do so too :) Thanks for the great comment, my friend!
@@BenjaminMcEvoy Nabokov really hated to Cervantes. He thought that the writer was very cruel with D. Quixote. That's so funny that he is so mad as D. Quixote in the chapter of the retablo of Maese Pedro.
I’ve just picked up a copy today, I’ve never attempted such a large book before, so I put marks at every 100th page to encourage me, but after reading about 50 pages I’m already really enjoying it! Though the book I read before it was notes from the underground! Quite a change haha!
Reading for the first time. I’ve made it past the encounter with the Benedictine monks when I thought I would see if you made a video, and you did! The hints are most helpful. Love the idea of learning more about Cervantes. From the get go I am intrigued by the relationship between Don Quixote and Sancho. I am going to slow down my reading to journal my thoughts on that as well as track the emotions I feel as they venture on. I have mixed feelings about Quixote from pity to amusement to annoyance. And speaking of emotions, I was horrified and saddened when his library was closed off from him and books burned! Anyway, thank you for your videos. You’re enhancing my reading experience!
Thank you. You inspire me. I will get to Don Quixote right away.
What do you think about the old Penguin Classic edition by Cohen?? They have replaced it, as they have many works. I had a beautiful Modern Library edition of the Motteux version. But I think I lost it for good!! Tragedy
Big fan of the edition as an object, but I can't recall what I thought of the translation. I'll check it out!
Thank you so much for the information about the translations. I started with the Jervas translation and found it tiresome to read. Then I tried an audiobook which was the Smollett translation and got a little further but not much. Now I have the audiobook that is the Grossman translation and what a difference it makes. It's very enjoyable. I think I might make it this time!
Undoubtedly, the best book I’ve ever read.
It's a masterpiece!
I bought a new-looking paperback copy at goodwill for 99 cents. Its the Edith Grossman translation. I'm just wondering if I should first read it in Spanish or English. Spanish is my first language, but English is my primary language. I went to English schools from K-college so I write and read better in English. But my Spanish is not that far behind either. I already have the english translation, so I'd have to obtain a Spanish copy.
Currently reading Don Quixote. Started on 1st July and almost 200 pages in! 🤗
Perfect pacing. Are you enjoying it so far?
@@BenjaminMcEvoy yes i do! so far i was blown away by Marcella's speech during Grisostomo's funeral and laughed out loud during the fight in the darkness between Sancho, the innkeeper, the muledriver and Maritornes 😂 i'm so eager to discover more gems in the rest of the book! 🤗
I only found your channel the last couple of days and have immensely enjoyed watching several of the episodes. I just recently read The Count of Monte Cristo and have decided to take on Don Quixote per your recommendations. Through a coincidence, I came into possession a few years ago of the Harvard Classics - Collectors Edition. The translation of Don Quixote is by Thomas Shelton. It does have a brief authors preface and "certain sonnets." My guess is that this is an abridged version as it is just over 500 pages. I started today and have read three chapters. Would you recommend I continue or get one of the other translations? I'm ok with it so far but notice that the sentences are a full paragraph long, haha. Is that indicative of this translation or the same with others? I am certainly okay with that just wondering what your recommendation would be. I'm going to subscribe to your podcast! I tried Anna Karenina a few years ago and gave up at the half point. I have no idea what translation I had but, I will get through this one first and decide if I want to give Anna another go. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for literature!
The embedded stories within DQ are incredible in their own right. I come back to them as one revisits scripture passages.
I would recommend reading the Maxims of Francois De La Rouchefoucauld
no book has given me so much knowledge, and different emotions from laughter, anger, it has made me want to cry and it has made me ask a lot of questions, and it has raised my understanding of the human condition