Don Quixote

by Kathy Acker · 1986

Don Quixote, written by Miguel de Cervantes, is widely regarded as the first modern novel. Published in two volumes (1605 and 1615), it parodies the chivalric romances popular in its era, following the deluded knight Don Quixote and his faithful squire Sancho Panza as they embark on absurd quests, tilt at windmills, and confront the clash between idealism and reality. The work blends adventure, satire, humor, and philosophical reflection, establishing a prototype of literary heteroglossia and influencing countless adaptations across centuries.