The wonderful adventures of Don Quixote de la Mancha, and Sancho Panza, his esquire / abridged, and adapted to youthful capacities by Sir Marvellous Crackjoke; with illustrations by Kenny Meadows & John Gilbert. London: Dean & Son, [1872?] Classmark: 1872.10.35

This short publication perfectly illustrates how Don Quixote could be presented as a complex myth: a romantic hero with high moral values and an amusing charming character too. A well-suited figure for “youthful readers”.

The book features illustrations by different artists. Copies of original plates by Schrödter show a self-involved and dignified Alonso Quijano, before and after becoming Don Quixote (frontispiece and “Quixote fighting against the Basque”). Contrastingly, Kenny Meadows’ illustrations show more of a caricaturesque perception of the book’s characters (see “The incomparable Dulcinea del Toboso”). In the title page, a very unusual viewpoint puts Sancho Panza’s donkey and Don Quixote’s Rocinante at the centre of the scene.

The comical aspect of this version is further underlined by the name of the adaptor himself, Sir Marvellous Crackjoke, of whom we know nothing.