Don Quixote
Miguel de Cervantes
33 people recommended it in 23 threads, 2009–2025.
1 commenter pushed back on it — worth reading the threads.
What people on Hacker News said
Oh, Cervantes - Don Quixote was the book took me 2 years and some more life experience when it started to tick in my mind the depth, importance of the book, perhaps it was 24 or 25.
I recommend this because it's the best example of how literature can be time travel. When I smile at one of the adventures in the book I know that I'm sharing an experience with readers across centuries. There's almost no other way to get that feeling.
But also, watching Don Quixote and Sancho's friendship develop is heartwarming. It was a book written for entertainment first, and just happened to be saturated in intense philosophical and literary quality.
I was blown away by how a book that is ~600 years old could make me laugh and keep me interested. Changed how I think about people 'a long time ago' since they could enjoy the same books I do.
It's incredible that a book written over 500 years ago can still be funny and engaging. I'd recommend it to everyone, after reading this translation it moved from 'boring book I couldn't finish' to 'one of my favorite novels ever'.
It's funny and tender. Themes are also modern, and Cervantes' style is playful and innovative, making use of devices such as meta-references, alternative pasts, removal of the fourth wall, etc.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Which book are you reading these days? 2015 · 5 recommendations
- St. John’s Reading List: A Great Books Curriculum 2023 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books or essays written at least 100 years ago? 2019 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier? 2017 · 2 recommendations
- YC's Winter Reading List 2016 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What good books have you read in 2016? 2016 · 2 recommendations
- The Mensa Reading List for Grades 9-12 2025 · 1 recommendation
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- Ask HN: Books you plan to read in 2020? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Which book have you re-read the most times? how many times? 2018 · 1 recommendation
- Harvard Classics Book Download 2018 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Best books you've read in 2015 2015 · 1 recommendation