Don Quixote cover art

Don Quixote

Preview

Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Don Quixote

By: Tobias Smollett - translator, Miguel de Cervantes
Narrated by: Robert Whitfield
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $46.99

Buy Now for $46.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.
Cancel

About this listen

Don Quixote is one of the world's first novels and by far the best-known book in Spanish literature, was originally intended by Cervantes as a satire on traditional popular ballads, yet he also parodied the romances of chivalry. By happy coincidence he produced one of the most entertaining adventure stories of all time and, in Don Quixote and his faithful squire, Sancho Panza, two of the greatest characters in fiction.(P)1998 Blackstone Audiobooks Classics Witty

What listeners say about Don Quixote

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    30
  • 4 Stars
    7
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    28
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    26
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

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

Brilliant

It does go on and on a bit but I feel better for having persevered. It is like Hamlet in its vastness.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

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

💯 #1 BEST book of all classics I've experienced!

Part 2 brings it all together in a fantasticly unexpected way that you can't help falling in love with the pure genius of this story on so, so many levels! ❤

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

An ode to imagination and the spirit of adventure

Ostensibly a comedic parody of chivalric tales which recounts the escapades of a delusional fool and his loyal lackey, Don Quixote is a masterful ode to individualism, the power of imagination, and the spirit of adventure.

Importantly, the tale feels humble and believable. While Don Quixote might perceive windmills as giants, wine as the blood of his enemies, and flocks of sheep as rival armies; the reader can always discern the explicable reality that its protagonist cannot – nothing ever truly happens that is too outlandish. At its best, this contrast prompts a reader to reflect on how their own imaginations can transform the mundane into the extraordinary.

While we might laugh at Don Quixote, we can also recognise that he perceives himself to be triumphant and heroic in his own world, and (largely) happy in ours; we therefore come to root for him. While the whole cast is consistently (and successfully) played for laughs, all characters are layered and ultimately endearing. Amidst the whimsical chaos and delusions of grandeur, there are real poignant moments of wisdom and sobriety within Don Quixote, which hit all the harder when they arise from characters we might at first dismiss.

Some may find the story repetitive and bloated, but I consider it to be an episodic tale that explores the full breadth of its premise, with recurring motifs to comfort the reader and drive its themes home. By its end, I felt familiar with the characters and world, but satisfied.

For a story so old as it is, it is surprisingly meta. Those meta elements shine light on a range of matters, from the Spanish inquisition, to intellectual property and plagiarism, to the veracity of legend. It also provides pertinent commentary on love, gender, and religious tolerance, which remain relevant today.

A new favourite. Highly recommend.

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

Brilliant narration.

Loved this. The reader's efforts at voicing these classic characters was a joy & allowed me to hear the surprising cleverness of the writing.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

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

An epic journey

Loved both parts; the first an innocent story of a mad man running alongside stories from various characters. The second part gets very meta when referencing the first book and second unofficial writing. Very interesting and an easy listen!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.