Don Quixote is a novel by Miguel de Cervantes originally published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615. Its full title is The Ingenious Gentleman Sir Quixote of La Mancha

The novel tells the story around the adventures of a noble from La Mancha (Spain) named Alonso Quixano, who reads so many chivalric romances that he loses his mind and decides to become a knight-errant to revive chivalry and serve his nation, under the name Don Quixote de la Mancha.

The main theme of the book focuses on whether it is possible to find an ideal in the real. This main theme is linked to an ethical concept, that of freedom in human life.

The book is considered a masterpiece of humor literature of all time. It is also the first modern novel and will exert a great influence on all subsequent European literature.