Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Don Quixote  By  cover art

Don Quixote

By: Edith Grossman - translator, Miguel de Cervantes
Narrated by: George Guidall
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $34.39

Buy for $34.39

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Editorial review


By Seth Hartman, Audible Editor

DON QUIXOTE IS AN EPIC QUEST FOR THE SAKE OF IMAGINATION

I was introduced to the epic journey of Don Quixote in my 10th-grade English class. Being no stranger to stories of wandering heroes (stuff like The Odyssey and Gilgamesh), I thought I knew what to expect. The summary evoked images of knights, dragons, and fair maidens, so this book seemed to be a standard dose of medieval-style fantasy. What I got when I cracked open Don Quixote was certainly fantastical, but unlike any fiction I had experienced before it.

This legend begins with Alonso Quixano, a somewhat wealthy but otherwise average man with big dreams. Inspired by the romantic exploits of knights, he assumes the moniker "Don Quixote de la Mancha" and dons an ill-fitting, creaky set of armor. Riding his old work horse Rocinante, he decides that he is going to begin an epic quest for the favor of Dulcinea, a fair maiden he conjured up out of thin air. On his journey, Don Quixote creates fantasy after fantasy, clinging desperately to the image of a knight that he invented for himself.

This story does not only take place from the perspective of a delusional man, however. On his travels, Don Quixote enlists the help of a peasant named Sancho Panza, promising him his own castle and riches beyond his wildest imagination. Sancho quickly sees the truth of the matter, almost pitying the Don for his lofty pipe dreams. Yet eventually, he gets wrapped up in the fantasy too, hoping against his better logic that this quest will work out for them both.

While some people see Don Quixote as a warning to keep both feet in the real world, I see things a bit differently. Despite his obvious delusions of grandeur, I think there is something noble about this quest. Don Quixote is a man who is willing to believe in himself no matter the cost, and he even endures ridicule and beatings for sticking to his beliefs. Yes, it is crazy to think that windmills could be vicious giants, but isn’t there something poetic about his commitment to a heightened reality?

While this work stands as a complete subversion of stories like The Knights of the Round Table, it is important that we continue to look to Don Quixote for inspiration. The audiobook adds yet another element, with veteran narrator George Guidall’s versatile diction creating a new sense of depth. Yes, this story is silly, absurd, and, at times, downright sad, but isn’t life the same way sometimes? Don Quixote reminds us that, no matter our current circumstances, we can always hope for more.

Continue reading Seth's review >

Publisher's summary

Don Quixote is the classic story. Called the first modern novel, this marvelous book has stood the test of time to become irrevocably intertwined with the fabric of society. Sixteenth-century Spanish gentleman Don Quixote, fed by his own delusional fantasies, takes to the road in search of chivalrous adventures. But his quest leads to more trouble than triumph. At once humorous, romantic, and sad, Don Quixote is a literary landmark. This fresh edition, by award-winning translator Edith Grossman, brings the tale to life as never before.

©2003 Edith Grossman (translation) (P)2003 Recorded Books

What listeners say about Don Quixote

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,286
  • 4 Stars
    1,104
  • 3 Stars
    438
  • 2 Stars
    136
  • 1 Stars
    117
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,693
  • 4 Stars
    576
  • 3 Stars
    149
  • 2 Stars
    43
  • 1 Stars
    51
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,801
  • 4 Stars
    1,008
  • 3 Stars
    458
  • 2 Stars
    135
  • 1 Stars
    91

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

if you read nothing else...

Read this. It is one of the greatest books of all time and the narrator is a joy to hear!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

marvelous

I think the told-tale nature of the adventure & romance narration makes the audiobook format not only fitting, but appropriate. George Guidall’s characterizations throughout enhance the listeners appreciation for Cervantes’ characters and story. If you are thinking of embarking on this audio journey, start right away! ⚔️🐴

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My new favorite book

I am a person who generally hates classics. I have to have the themes of Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Tolstoy, or Goethe explained to me before I can begin to comprehend it, and by then I am beyond enjoying the book and just want it to end.

This book was not that. This book was, and is, absolutely wonderful.

I have now recommended it to everyone I know who listens to Audible. Don't be put-off by the nearly 40 hours - the stories in the book are bite-sized vignettes that take less than an hour to get through. The characters are wonderfully written and fascinating to see transform and evolve, especially Sancho Panza. This book deserves its high reputation.

A special call-out to the narrator - this is hands-down the best narration I have yet listened to for an audiobook (among the 40 I've listened to so far). He made this book so much more enjoyable with his performance. Bravo, sir!

#Friends #Absurd #Funny #Heartfelt #Satire #SpanishGoldenAge #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great narration

the narrator is really good at telling the story. you can really imagine each character.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best darned book ever!

Very good narration. I can't really compare it to anything..... I kept thinking "this was written in the 1600's?" It's so funny, so insightful, every situation lasts the exact length it should. there is nothing that feels wrong about this book,,,except,,,that it had to end...It's like a realization and inevitability that you and the author gently come to together...Cervantes is not happy about it, and neither are you, but I could have listened to another 40 hours of it easily.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!

The narrator was one of the best I've ever listened to. He brought the story of Don Quixote alive. The story is captivating and funny: definitely a classic.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

His madness is the best part about him.

It's comedy, philosophy, love, pain, madness, virtue, and loyalty. This book contains this and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Don Quixote come alive with George Guidall’s voice acting

If you have tried reading Miguel Cervantes’ Don Quixote, but gotten bogged down in the long repetitious stories, read no more. This marvelous translation by Edith Grossman and read by George Guidall is where you want to spend your time enjoying the world’s first novel.

Each story pops with characters mischievous, loving, crazy, scared, cunning, kind, amorous … and many more.

Guidall’s fabulous narration makes you live each character in Cervantes’ many stand alone tales threaded together like individual pearls in marvelous unity.

This is the definitive telling of Don Quixote’s and Pancho’s quest for knight chivalry. Five stars is not enough.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Lovely narration

I listened at 1.2x
Can’t believe it’s over, I’ve spent so many weeks now walking with these two friends in my ears
God bless!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best book on life!

I never realized how profound this book really is. I would live to study just the proverbs of Pancho Sanchez.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!