Originally conceived as a parody of the chivalric romances that had long been in literary vogue, it describes realistically what befalls an aging knight who, his head bemused by reading such romances, sets out on his old horse Rocinante, with his pragmatic squire, Sancho Panza, to seek adventure.

Accompanied by essays, notes, and a study of Cervantes's language. Includes bibliographical references.

Presentación -- Prólogo a la segunda edición del IV centenario / Darío Villanueva -- Una novela para el siglo XXI / Mario Vargas Llosa -- La invención del "Quijote" / Francisco Ayala -- Cervantes y el "Quijote" / Martin de Riquer -- Nota al texto / Francisco Rico -- Don Quijote de la Mancha / edición y notas de Francisco Rico -- La lengua de Cervantes y el "Quijote" / José Manuel Blecua [and 4 others].