Le Don Quichotte in Four Volumes

5RR Miguel de Cervantes, Paris, 1822. In French. 

Notes

Don Quixote (Don Quijote de la Mancha), written by Miguel de Cervantes, is considered one of the greatest works of literature. First published in two parts, the first in 1605 and the second in 1615, it tells the story of a nobleman named Alonso Quixano, who loses his sanity after reading too many chivalric romances and adopts the name Don Quixote. Believing himself to be a knight, he embarks on a series of adventures with his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, who is grounded in reality. The novel explores themes of idealism versus realism, the clash between the past and present, and the power of imagination.

The novel was likely written as a response to the flourishing genre of chivalric tales that were popular in Spain during Cervantes' time. Cervantes was mocking the overly romanticized notions of knighthood and the absurdity of the ideals they propagated. Don Quixote's enduring popularity stems from its complex characters, particularly the contrast between Don Quixote’s lofty ideals and Sancho Panza’s practicality. The novel is also celebrated for its deep exploration of the human condition, its wit, and its ability to blend humor with philosophical depth. Over the centuries, it has influenced countless writers, becoming a cornerstone of Western literature and a universal symbol of the tension between dreams and reality.

Description

Marbled boards with brown leather spine. Four raised bands with gilt embossed lettering, numbers, and details. Marbled endpapers. Encroaching browning stains into the margins on the first half of volume one. Foxing throughout. Bumping to all corners and rubbing to the extremities. Minor sun fading to the spines. Very good condition overall.