A Literary Tour of La Mancha in Spain

I am going to spend the next two weeks reading and writing about the Spanish novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes before an exciting trip to Spain where my husband and I plan to take a literary tour of the setting of the novel and the life of Cervantes in La Mancha, just south of Madrid.

My 2003 English copy

There are many editions and translations of the Spanish novel. While I am practicing my Spanish and hope one day to be able to read great Spanish literature in the original, I am not quite there yet. My copy of the book is a well-worn and well-loved English translation by Edith Grossman purchased by my husband when he was studying abroad in Berkeley, California. You can see the date and his signature below. Reading his copy of this novel makes me feel closer to him and his culture, so this educational and literary journey is also one of love for me.

Signed, Luis Pelaez Sept. 15, 2006

I should probably mention that my husband is originally from Madrid, Spain, and we met when I was studying at Saint Louis University's campus in Madrid, Spain. He was completing a PhD in Art History from Complutense while I was completing my MA in English (yes, I studied English in Spain!). Fortunately, his English is immaculate because I did not speak a word of Spanish when I arrived. We met on my second day there. Our first date two days later was reading together in the Templo de Debod park, so the love of Spain and of literature was mutual from the beginning. We still host Tapas parties whenever possible and read together often.

This chalkboard hangs in our kitchen still from the last Tapas party at Casa Pelaez

We have been living in the United States since 2011- Texas and now Virginia- and we have both missed so many things about Spain. We have been back to visit as often as possible, but with limited time and finances (teaching is not the path to take to make money), we never could stay as long as we wanted or see as much as we wanted. We always have a long list of friends, family, food, museums, etc. So, that is my only excuse for never having visited La Mancha, the homeland of Don Quixote and mecca for Spanish cheese. It is also the birthplace and home of my mother-in-law who is the epitome of Spanish generosity, kindness, and warmth. She has wanted to show off her hometown for years and to stuff us full of Manchego cheese and wine. There is a lot of heart in the heart of Spain!

Castile-La Mancha

Finally, we are going! And finally, I am reading the famous Don Quixote. As a literature major, this is a book I should have read long ago, especially since it was while I was in Spain (around 2010) that the link between Shakespeare and Cervantes was confirmed when a recovered play by Shakespeare made reference to this Spanish classic. Shakespeare wrote this play with his friend John Fletcher sometime around 1600, but Lewis Theobald  tried to pass it off as his own in 1728, which caused confusion about the authentic authorship. The play is based on a chapter from the book and set in Spain. It seems clear to me that Shakespeare both read and appreciated Don Quixote, but you can read some more about it here: Double Falsehood (Cardenio) article CNN

Aside from any connection to Shakespeare, Cervantes and his work stand as great literary pillars on their own. It is considered the very first modern novel and the best of Spanish literature. But not just the best of Spanish literature. For the last centuries, it is consistently praised and voted the best novel of all time. The magic of this novel transcends time and place. It really is a must for any avid reader, lover of Spain, or adventurer! It is certainly time for me to read it!


How can I recommend it when I have not even started reading it? Because I know the story. I have head the tales, seen the statues, the caricatures, seen and heard a thousand allusions to it. In fact, we all know the story. Just as those who have never even looked at the original play of Romeo and Juliet know it still, we can all recognize the knight tilting against windmills. I am already in love with the story and the characters. I feel that I already know them, and their story is so embedded throughout Spain that I feel that I am beginning this adventure with old friends and familiar places. I cannot wait!

The Windmills of Conseguera

Picasso's drawing of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza

I will begin this record of my literary travels by recording what I read and my reflections as I progress through the nearly 1,000 page novel. It is not intended to be a plot summary but a collection of great quotes, insights, and commentary as I read. Perhaps, someone one will read along with me, and this can become a discussion and dialogue through posts and comments. Reading is not a solitary act, it is not done in isolation. By nature, to read someone one else's writing is to connect to that person or place, to learn, to wonder, and to explore. It is best when shared.

On July 1st, we head to Spain, and from there, I will do my best to record our travels and the connections I find between La Mancha in 2015 and Cervantes' La Mancha of 1615. What will the passage of 400 years offer?

Cheers to the start of a literary adventure! Pour a glass of Spanish wine or Sangria and read along with me!

My husband's famous Sangria