Don Quixote Among the Saracens: A Clash of Civilizations and Literary Genres - Softcover

De Armas, Frederick A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1442616016 ISBN 13: 9781442616011

Publisher: University of Toronto Press, 2013

Synopsis

The fictional Don Quixote was constantly defeated in his knightly adventures. In writing Quixote's story, however, Miguel Cervantes succeeded in a different kind of quest - the creation of a modern novel that 'conquers' and assimilates countless literary genres. Don Quixote among the Saracens considers how Cervantes's work reflects the clash of civilizations and anxieties towards cultural pluralism that permeated Golden Age Spain. Frederick A. de Armas unravels an essential mystery of one of world literature's best known figures: why Quixote sets out to revive knight errantry, and why he comes to feel at home only among the Moorish 'Saracens,' a people whom Quixote feared at the beginning of the novel. De Armas also reveals Quixote's inner conflicts as both a Christian who vows to battle the infidel, but also a secret Saracen sympathizer. While delving into genre theory, Don Quixote among the Saracens adds a new dimension to our understandings of Spain's multicultural history.

About this title

Review

'Cervantes is a master at throwing curves; de Armas is a master at catching new ironies in a literary classic. The combination is extraordinarily rich and winning. Highly recommended.'

- E.H. Freidman - Choice Magazine vol 49:11:2012

'De Armas meticulously probes into the visionary and labyrinthine mind of Don Quixote... De Armas has written an original book, a topical book, a moral book.'

- Diana de Armas - Iberoamericana vol 12:48:2012

'De Armas' greatest strength lies in his philological eclecticism, which shines a powerful microscope on Cervantes' text, producing unforgettable close readings of many passages that have never been adequately explained.'

- William Childers - Bulletin of Spanish Studies, vol 91:08:2014

'De Armas turns in his usual solid performance as he presents original ideas about the Cervantes masterpiece and the author's and novel's background.'

- L.R.N. Ashley - Bibliothèque d'humanisme et Renaissance vol 74:03:2012

About the Author

Frederick A. de Armas is the Andrew W. Mellon Distinguished Service Professor in the Humanities, Spanish Literature, and Comparative Literature at the University of Chicago.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Toronto Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1442616016
• ISBN 13: 9781442616011
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 254