Don Quixote (original 1605; edition 2005)

I read it in translation, so I don't know what a difference that might make. Many parts of this are still hilarious after centuries, some scenes are moving, some magnificent. Talk about iconic? Tilting at windmills, Sancho Panza, Dulcinea del Toboso, a man made mad by reading too many books of chivalry... Its second part even pokes fun at itself--17th century metafiction! If it doesn't get the full five stars, it's because it does have stretches I found dull and pointless and meandering. Just felt at times the joke was extended far too long, with one incident after another repeating itself: Quixote goes on a rampage due to his delusions of chivalry. Victim of his outrage beats him up. Rinse. Repeat... But this is one of the earliest novels, at least in the Western tradition, and still one of the greatest and influential in the Western canon--and for good reason. ( )

Hilarious and brilliant. If I were to read again I might approach with more patience, an episode at a time, instead of chunks of 50 to 75 pages at a time when I could.
There are a lot of great, big discussions going on and a lot of foolishness. It's like a hall of mirrors, kind of leading you to look at yourself and the world around in a different way, but not to look to closely because all of this is a bit absurd.
5 stars, set aside a season and read it. ( )

mostly this story made me want to eat a lot of bread a cheese. ( )