Classics
Don Quixote
A retired gentleman reads so many chivalry romances that he decides to become a knight, and sets out with his neighbour Sancho Panza as squire. Windmills, inns and travellers all become battlegrounds in his mind.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1605
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 1021
- Format
- Book 1 of 3 in Don Quijote de la Mancha
Read this if you want a funny, humane classic that invented a lot of what novels do today.
Skip this if you want a tight plot, because it is long and episodic.
The feel
Content warnings
None noted yet.
Quick answers about Don Quixote
- What is Don Quixote about?
- A retired gentleman reads so many chivalry romances that he decides to become a knight, and sets out with his neighbour Sancho Panza as squire. Windmills, inns and travellers all become battlegrounds in his mind.
- Who should read Don Quixote?
- Read it if you want a funny, humane classic that invented a lot of what novels do today. Skip it if you want a tight plot, because it is long and episodic.
- How long and how fast is Don Quixote?
- It is a slow-paced, long read of about 1021 pages, first published in 1605.
- Does Don Quixote have content warnings?
- We have not noted any content warnings for this book yet.
- Can I borrow Don Quixote for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Don Quixote; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Don Quixote?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Catch-22, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Gulliver's Travels.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Don Quixote
-
Catch-22
Another satire in which one stubborn mind refuses to accept the world as others see it.
-
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy A far lighter, shorter comic classic with a similar love of absurd adventure.
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Gulliver's Travels Another satirical classic of travel and absurdity, with a sharper edge.
Classics
