Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

The Adventures of Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, was originally published in 1605 and, 421 years on, continues to endure as a literary classic.

The story centres on Alonso Quixano and his immersion in his own fictional imagination. Delusional and convinced that he is a knight, he reinvents himself as Don Quixote and embarks upon a series of unrelenting quests, whilst the narrative continually reminds us of their detachment from reality. Cervantes’ rejection of rigid narrative form allows the tale to question the nature of truth, offer profound philosophical insights and explore the relationship between reality and fiction, whilst merging these weightier themes with comedy. It is this remarkable combination of philosophical depth, literary experimentation and humour that has ensured Don Quixote remains one of the most noteworthy classics of world literature.

This edition is the 1950 Penguin translation by J.M. Cohen, published in Harmondsworth, Middlesex. The text is complete, containing both Parts I and II, and includes the translator’s introduction and the original author’s dedication to the first part.

This is a contemporary rebinding: a handsome red-leather binding. The spine features raised bands and gilt decoration, including the book’s title. The endpapers have a muted marble design, the text is printed on Indian paper, and the pages remain bright and clean. The gilt edges complement the binding and give the volume an elegant finish. Although the spine is shaken, the text block remains secure and the book is, overall, in near-fine condition.

This book is being sold for £40.

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