Don Quixote

By: John Ormsby - translator, Miguel de Cervantes

Narrated by: Roy McMillan

Length: 36 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

The most influential work of the entire Spanish literary canon and a founding work of modern Western literature, Don Quixote is also one of the greatest works ever written. Hugely entertaining but also moving at times, this episodic novel is built on the fantasy life of one Alonso Quixano, who lives with his niece and housekeeper in La Mancha. Quixano, obsessed by tales of knight errantry, renames himself "Don Quixote" and, with his faithful servant Sancho Panza, goes on a series of quests. Many of these adventures, including tilting at windmills, are established in European literary consciousness.

Originally published in two volumes a decade apart (in 1605 and 1615), Don Quixote has been brought to life in its entirety in this audiobook.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

Public Domain (P)2011 Naxos AudioBooks

QUITE FUNNY

I have always heard of this book, a classic, but have never read or heard it, until now. I found so many parts so funny and stupid too. Quite human, in all. I am not sure what I expected, but I did like it. The narrator is quite good. Not a lot of voices, but I can't imagine trying to perform a lot of voices. It IS 36+ hours, but well worth the listen, even if you only take one part at a time and then go back, soon, before you forget the story line. It's worth listening too, is what this long dissertation is saying.

Hugely enjoyable

If you could sum up Don Quixote in three words, what would they be?

Funny, endearing, engrossing

What was one of the most memorable moments of Don Quixote?

Don Quixote's encounter with the sheep is one of many that I have enjoyed so far, but much of the book is still ahead of me.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to say as there are so many, but I loved the line where the Don was described as retiring to bed after one of their adventures to dream of his fair Dulcinea while Sancho Panza retired to his 'like a man who had been soundly beaten'.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The gentle satire makes me smile and occasionally laugh out loud. At the same time I am torn between feeling that something must be done to curtail the activities of this would be knight who is roaming around inflicting real damage on imagined opponents and a dread that he will be rounded up and diminished by the collapse of his illusions.

Any additional comments?

This is a great book, not just by reputation but in reality and I am grateful to Audible books for making it accessible to me. Cervantes has created a memorable character in the Don. He is both demented and truly noble, possessing a dignity that mysteriously is not touched by the absurdity of his actions and beliefs. His unfailing optimism and self belief in the face of constant setbacks is quite wonderful. I feel Cervantes has an enormous affection for him and for all the other characters of his world. It would be hard to imagine the book being read aloud better than it is by Roy McMillan. The subtle differences of class, attitude etc between characters when they speak are clearly expressed and the reader's tone conveys the humour in a tongue in cheek style that is never laboured.

Best book I ever experienced.

Narrator shined. I truly believe that I understood the book much better by listening to this narrator who knew how to put it across so well, better than if I had read it myself

Hilarious, though simply far too long

Would you listen to Don Quixote again? Why?

Well, it's absolutely, gut-busting hilarious. However, about halfway through I began to feel that it was simply repeating itself, with Quixote always convincing himself in his delusions the same way he had done it last time.
I stopped the recording during the third (of five) mp3.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Don Quixote?

Oh man, the part where Sancho tries to tell a joke to Don Quixote. I laughed SO HARD I had to actually put down my paint brush and bowl over onto the floor with laughter.

This part is funny even if you just cut it out of the story and only read it by itself, but it was the long series of funny events leading up to it that set the stage so well.

Which character – as performed by Roy McMillan – was your favorite?

Sancho Panza. He's so faithful, so smart, so clever, and so wholly ignorant at the same time. He always makes me laugh.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh... hard.

great narration

I thoroughly enjoyed the different accents and voices used by the narrator for this translation of Don Quixote. A very long book, and long audiobook, so having such quality narration helped keep me interested throughout.

Greatest of all novels indeed

Don Quixote books one and two comprise the great achievement in the novel form. Being the first modern novel (with even post-modern elements to it as well), it’s first and far most a beautiful story of profound humor. But even while it pokes fun at the two main characters from beginning to end it also remains enormously sympathetic to them from beginning to end. As with the works of Shakespeare, Don Quixote explores and plays with the nuances of contradictory views, ambiguity, and double-sided truths. Nothing is as it seems, it’s a celebration of so many things, and one thing that it celebrates which often gets overlook is the celebration of Doubt, of agnosticism, not simply about the existence of God, but of everything.

This audio version is THE best one you will find, far and away, no other actor does a better job at capturing ALL the elements to the story. Listen and enjoy.

You will not find a better narration than this one. Beautiful writing.

The writing, translation, and narration are all excellent in this edition. The first volume is my favorite, however the second volume included here is also good.

I'm sorry I waited so long to read this

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. Roy McMillan does an amazing job of bringing Don Quixote and Sancho Panza to life with a very entertaining narrative.

This is a classic that should be in everyone's Audible library.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Don Quixote?

Take your pick. Every adventure of Don Quixote will make you smile. Sancho Panza is a great compliment, with his witty banter and misadventures, to the story. The interaction between the two is enjoyable from start to finish.

What does Roy McMillan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voices.
Don Quixote and Sancho Panza are the perfect expressions of their characters. Roy keeps the readers engaged and entertained throughout the story.

A classic brought to life.

This is such a classic tale but it's intimidatingly thick so that a lot of people might never tackle it. This audiobook is a great way to access this hilarious classic about the mad Don Quixote, obsessed by all things chivalrous and by tales of knights errant, and his long suffering sidekick Sancho Panchez as they travel the countryside tilting at windmills.

The whole illustrious tale

Don Quixote is best enjoyed in all of its lengthy and indulgent glory. Cervantes is just about as ribald and humorous as any devoted reader could hope for.