Ilan Stavans Asks "Why Should You Read 'Don Quixote'?"

• Home
• Books
• Store
  • Ebooks
  • Merchandise
  • Discussion Guides
  • Signed Editions
• Series
  • Yonder
  • Restless Classics
  • The Face
• Programs
  • Kellman Prize for Immigrant Literature
  • Immigrant Writing Workshops
  • Immigrant Writing Lab
• About
  • Our Mission
  • Our History
  • Our Team
  • Our Board
  • Our Supporters
• Support Us
• Resources
• Blog
• Readers Club

• Contact Us
• Return Policy

In a recent Ted-Ed video, Ilan Stavans, Restless Books Publisher and noted Cervantes’ scholar, delves into the nature of character development and the continuing cultural importance of Cervantes’ masterpiece. Accompanied by endearing illustrations and animation, ‘Why Should You Read Don Quixote?’ explores the compelling personal growth of Don Quixote through his clumsy yet valiant antics with his steadfast companion Sancho Panza and the enduring popularity and relevance of what is widely considered to be the best-selling novel of all time. Ilan asks the perennial question: What makes this book so beloved? In exploring major themes and the relationship between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, Stavans investigates underlying philosophical complexities in this tale of adventure, humor, love and friendship. Indeed, Cervantes’ work is not only considered by many to be the first modern novel, but it is also a “treatise on the power of creativity and individualism that has inspired art, literature, popular culture and even political revolution” that continues to resonate with readers on a global scale.

TED-Ed, an extension of TED, carefully curates educational videos with animations, many of which represent collaborations between talented educators and animators nominated through the TED-Ed website. TED-Ed, not unlike TED, is committed to creating lessons worth sharing and spreading great ideas. Watch the TED-Ed video to learn more about Don Quixote and check out the Restless Classics edition of Don Quixote with beautiful illustrations by Eko and an introduction by Ilan Stavans.

Prev / Next Restless Blog

Excerpts

Read an excerpt from Praveen Herat's Between This World and the Next Announcing the Finalists for the 2022 Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing Preview the Illustrations for "It's OK, Slow Lizard," a Mindful Picture Book from South Korea

Op-Eds

Interviews

Talks on Translation with Restless Authors and Translators Words (for Kids!) without Borders: Ilan Stavans on Yonder: Restless Books for Young Readers Subscribe to Our Newsletter