Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) was a Spanish writer, universally regarded as the greatest author in the Spanish language and one of the most important novelists in history. His masterpiece, Don Quixote, is often called the first modern novel and one of the greatest works of fiction ever written.
Don Quixote tells of an aging gentleman who, driven mad by reading too many tales of chivalry, sets out as a knight-errant with his loyal squire Sancho Panza to revive a golden age that never was — tilting at windmills he mistakes for giants. Funny, moving, and endlessly inventive, it created much of what we expect from the novel.
Cervantes led an adventurous, difficult life — a soldier wounded at the Battle of Lepanto, a captive of pirates for five years, and often poor — before achieving fame late in life with Don Quixote.
Our editions present his masterpiece clearly for modern readers. Read the opening free, and read or listen with a membership.
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra in the library · 2 works
soon
soon
Frequently asked questions about Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
What did Cervantes write?
Cervantes is famous above all for Don Quixote, published in two parts in 1605 and 1615. He also wrote the Exemplary Novels (a collection of shorter stories), poetry, and plays. Don Quixote is his towering achievement and one of the most influential books ever written.
What is Don Quixote about?
It follows an elderly Spanish gentleman who reads so many chivalric romances that he loses his wits and sets out as a knight, renaming himself Don Quixote, with the practical peasant Sancho Panza as his squire. His deluded adventures — famously charging at windmills he believes are giants — are hilarious, poignant, and profound. Beneath the comedy lies a rich meditation on idealism, reality, and imagination.
Why is Don Quixote called the first modern novel?
Don Quixote broke from earlier storytelling by creating complex, psychologically real characters who change and grow, by mixing comedy and depth, and by playfully reflecting on storytelling itself. It shaped the form of the novel as we know it. For these reasons it is often described as the first modern novel and a foundation of Western literature.
Is Don Quixote hard to read?
Its length and 17th-century origins can seem daunting, but the story is genuinely funny and entertaining, built from many self-contained episodes. Older translations can feel heavy, which is the main barrier. A clear modern-English edition makes the humour and heart of the book easy to enjoy.
Where should I start with Cervantes?
Don Quixote is the essential work and where nearly everyone begins. You can read it in parts — its episodic structure means you don't have to rush. If you'd like something shorter first, his Exemplary Novels offer a fine taste of his storytelling.
When did Cervantes live?
Cervantes lived from 1547 to 1616, dying in the same year as Shakespeare. He led an eventful life as a soldier and former captive before publishing the first part of Don Quixote in 1605, when he was in his late fifties. The second part appeared in 1615, shortly before his death.
Where can I read Don Quixote for free?
Don Quixote is in the public domain, and older translations are freely available. Many are in dense, dated English. Here you can read the opening free in clear modern English, and read or listen with a membership.
Be first to read Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra here
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra's modern-English editions are being prepared now. Leave your email and we'll tell you the day they arrive.
Read Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra free
Every restored edition — eBook and audiobook — is included with membership. Cancel anytime, one click · 30-day money-back guarantee.
Become a member →