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Comments
BOBauthor t1_ja0w44v wrote
Exactly. The second part is astounding.
SkepticDrinker t1_ja0anvs wrote
Where does book 1 end and book 2 begin?
ElSinchi t1_ja0c9jz wrote
Part 1 was written by 1605 and it's the first 52 chapters (there even an "ending") The second part is the remaining and it was written 10 years later and on this one Quixote is aware he's a character on the first publication.
The_Red_Curtain t1_ja2bc0p wrote
There probably wouldn't have even been a part 2 if someone else hadn't written a terrible fake sequel that Cervantes felt compelled to expose as fake and replace in everyone's minds with a "true" sequel.
ElSinchi t1_ja484pk wrote
that's why my recommended reading order is:
- begin the firs 52 chapters
- read Avellaneda's Quixote
- then Cervante's second part
Comprehensive_Tap_63 t1_ja01bie wrote
I did the same, mainly so I could leave a review on Goodreads: “quite long”.
YourMILisCray t1_ja0g32e wrote
There is a subreddit for that! r/yearofdonquixote
Also reading the Edith Grossman translation made the experience for me. I started reading it once with the version free on Gutenberg and got nowhere fast.
PregnancyRoulette t1_ja0wog0 wrote
I loved the Norton Abridged anthology translation, which is by Burton Raffel; but when I got the Gutenberg I did end up stalling. Maybe after I tackle everything else I'll go back.
plaidtattoos t1_j9zyna4 wrote
Is there a particular edition or translation that gets recommended most often?
SkepticDrinker t1_j9zyvvh wrote
The Edith Grossman translation is fantastic
Solar_Kestrel t1_ja34bad wrote
I basically only clicked on this thread to make sure someone had recommended the Grossman translation. Fantastic is almost underselling it.
BOBauthor t1_ja0vyn2 wrote
I really liked Tobias Smollett's translation. It has just the right archaic feel to it, not surprising because he lived in the 18th century.
CurrentPossession t1_ja2ouju wrote
I am reading it and ... Well, sometimes it comes off a bit dry.
tke494 t1_ja17vy5 wrote
Really, the only thing I thought that was dated in it was how episodic it was.
I was surprised by how funny it was, given the age.
faeofca t1_ja064x0 wrote
I wish I’d done this, I’m kind of a stickler for reading things all the way through in a shorter timeframe and I don’t think it’s meant to be enjoyed that way.
The_Red_Curtain t1_ja2bgg1 wrote
You definitely can read it that way, the 2nd half of the book isn't really episodic and is amazing (as others have said in this thread).
BrianShupe t1_j9zy97s wrote
Just started it last night. Read 2 chapters!
kdbooooks t1_ja0ke76 wrote
Having read it twice, I would say a few chapters a day is adequate, otherwise it does get a tad tedious. Keep on trucking with it 💪 Just know Part 2 is very different to part 1, and you’ll smash it
svevobandini t1_ja0ldpu wrote
I felt is was redundant until part two, then it became incredible. Just work your way there and you'll be rewarded.
ElSinchi t1_ja1s0u9 wrote
yep, part 2 is the gold, but you need to dig into the part 1 mine first
maxxwuzhere t1_ja1aen9 wrote
My favorite book My first BIG Book too And an annual read
I love how the chapters were short and I was able to push and keep making progress.
The story is fabulous.
ImpatientColon t1_ja1fuev wrote
I've never read it but now I think I'm gonna
FormalWare t1_ja0bcad wrote
Your "strategy" to get through Don Quixote reminds me of mine, to get through War and Peace. I read it piecemeal, in the bathtub, over two years (nearly).
tangcameo t1_ja0qcit wrote
Got an advanced copy of the Grossman translation while working at a bookstore. Still collecting dust on my bookshelf.
devequt t1_ja0xki0 wrote
Coincidentally enough I just ordered the book to arrive on Tuesday, so here's hoping to start it at some point!
lapsedhuman t1_ja182b1 wrote
That's what I did, as well. It took me over two years to finish but it was worth it (I can't read just one book. I'm normally reading three or four books at any time, and I've found myself to be a bathroom or nighttime reader in my middle age).
-Prontissimo- t1_ja1ebne wrote
Just finished it last month--a pretty enjoyable read, especially Part II. But, man, the wanton cruelty of the "humor" was a bit of a downer. (For a funny, unworshipful analysis of the book, I highly recommend Nabokov's "Lectures on Don Quixote".)
apocalypschild t1_ja1phdy wrote
I’m assuming you’re reading it in English? In Spanish it’s a bit of a harder read because of the archaic language but that doesn’t take away from the amazing story! I had to read it in grade school so I guess I bare the scars of being forced to read it but I have definitely learned to appreciate it more as an adult.
thepibkmoose t1_ja238hf wrote
I did the audiobook and absolutely loved it from the start. Stayed up late to listen, had no tv/other distractions and worked a puzzle while listening and laughing.
JasiNtech t1_ja259i6 wrote
OMFG I read this book while taking a class dedicated to it in college. Honestly if you could find a class with someone who could help you analyze the book, it would be amazing.
I absolutely loved it. It has so many layers, and there's so much additional historical significance layered in at times, that it's nice to have a scholars input as you go. I can't understate how fun a time this was. I think an alternative would be as part of a book club? It's just so good.
So stoked for you and I hope you keep enjoying it!
CurrentPossession t1_ja2oyfq wrote
I would love if there's some sort of open courses on it on YouTube or something.
Solar_Kestrel t1_ja34709 wrote
Yeah, that's pretty much the best way to approach any "novel" that either began as serial fiction, or is structured like serial fiction. Great Expectations, Catch-22, Outlaws of the Marsh, Taiko, etc.
The thing to keep in mind is that this is a format where the presumed reader would only be getting one chapter every month or so. Binging can be... unpleasant.
ElSinchi t1_ja0a5l4 wrote
The thing about Quixote is that it's actually two books. The second one is the really brilliant one, but it builds upon the first (and also mocks the faux one in the middle by a different author)