Don Quixote by Cervantes in the Illustrations of Anatoly Zverev

The amazing paintings of Anatoly Zverev, inspired by Don Quixote, accompany selected chapters and episodes from Cervantes' novel. Commented on by the leading Hispanist S.I. Piskunova, they provide insight into the development of the main plot line of the novel and the worldview of the main character. Like many great works, 'Don Quixote' contains a whole world – there are love stories, philosophical reflections, and adventures. No wonder that three hundred years ago 'Don Quixote' was perceived as a parody of chivalric romances, whereas in the 20th century it was seen as a 'novel of consciousness', the main point of which is the special perception of the surrounding world by the hero.

This gift book is designed to be easy and interesting to engage with – even for those who are just approaching world classics. The selected chapters allow readers to enter the novel without a sense of heaviness, while the essays by philologists gradually reveal why 'Don Quixote' has become one of the key texts in classical literature. It is not a retelling, but a careful, attentive reading of a great text – one that helps to see it as a living work rather than a museum exhibit.

A separate layer of the book consists of illustrations by Anatoly Zverev: his drawings are full of movement, irony, and empathy for the hero, turning the book into a conversation about art. For those who love books about painting and artists, this is a rare case where text and image truly speak to each other.

This is the perfect gift edition for anyone who appreciates the essence of art history and books with paintings by great artists: large format, quality printing, and carefully selected masterpieces of world painting. Such a book is equally suitable for a personal library and as a gift for those who value biographical books about great people, collectible classic books, and beautiful art albums – such as 'Dante's Hell' with illustrations by Paolo Barbieri.