After a day of distributing treats to the children in my class, it seemed a fitting end to come home and find a few treats for myself. Particularly this novel which I have been meaning to read for ages:
It is the 400th anniversary edition of Don Quixote with an introduction by Amherst College professor, Ilan Stavans. But the best part to me is that the publisher, Restless Books, has put forth a series of videos and book group discussions "which serve as a map to this restless classic, which speaks more eloquently than ever to our perennial willingness to sacrifice in order to fully realize our dreams." Videos 1 and 2 were released on October 6; the first book group discussion (online) begins November 6. It carries on until February 6 when the final group book discussion takes place.
Therefore, you, too, have time to read and discuss Don Quixote with Ilan Stavans, who describes this book as, "...not only a novel but a manual for life. You'll find in it anything you need, from lessons on how to speak and eat and love to an exhortation of a disciplined, focused life, an argument against censorship, and a call to make lasting friends, which, as Cervantes puts it, 'is what makes bearable our long journey from birth to death.'"
All the reader has to do is look for this symbol as he reads:
I've earmarked each page, eight in all, which indicate a video session is available. I'm so eager to begin and hope that you, too, may feel inspired.
