Don Quixote (/ˌdɒn kiːˈhoʊtiː/; [ˈdoŋ kiˈxote] ( listen)), fully titled The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha ( El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha), is a Spanish novel by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. It follows the adventures of Alonso Quixano, an hidalgo who reads so many chivalric novels that he decides to set out to revive chivalry, under the name Don Quixote. He recruits a simple farmer, Sancho Panza, as his squire, who often employs a unique, earthly wit in dealing with Don Quixote's rhetorical orations on antiquated knighthood.

Don Quixote is met by the world as it is, initiating such themes as intertextuality, realism, metatheatre, and literary representation. Published in two volumes, in 1605 and 1615, Don Quixote is considered the most influential work of literature from the Spanish Golden Age and the entire Spanish literary canon. As a founding work of modern Western literature, and one of the earliest canonical novels, it regularly appears high on lists of the greatest works of fiction ever published.

It has had major influence on the literary community, as evidenced by direct references in Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers (1844) and Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884). In a 2002 list, Don Quixote was cited as the "best literary work ever written".

Why You Should Read?

• Explores the themes of intertextuality and literary representation, offering a deep dive into the nature of storytelling itself.
• Provides a historical lens into the Spanish Golden Age and the social dynamics of the time.
• Features the complex relationship between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, exploring contrasting philosophies and human nature.
• Challenges the reader to contemplate the intersection of reality and imagination through the protagonist's adventures.

About the Author

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra is a seminal figure in Spanish literature, best known for his novel "Don Quixote." His work is credited with launching the modern novel and profoundly influencing Western literature. Cervantes lived during the Spanish Golden Age and his writing reflects the era's complexities and cultural shifts. His legacy extends beyond his literary achievements, marking him as a pivotal voice in the development of narrative form and storytelling.