QuichotteQuichotte
Score Modern
What it's about
Inspired by Don Quixote, Sam DuChamp, a mediocre writer of spy thrillers, creates Quichotte, a courtly, addled salesman obsessed with television, who falls in love with a TV star. With his imaginary son, Sancho, Quichotte sets off across America to prove himself worthy of her, while his creator faces a midlife crisis of his own.
Why it's worth reading
It was a Booker Prize finalist. It's a wild, satirical portrait of modern America.
You'll love it if you liked
Don Quixote
Midnight's Children
The Satanic VersesGood to know
It's playful and digressive, full of pop culture.
By the numbers
- Readers46 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics32 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller14 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz10 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #283 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #1017 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1876 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Moving
More by Salman Rushdie
Midnight's Children
Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder
The Satanic Verses
The Moor's Last SighIf you like this, read next
The Overstory
Piranesi
Circe
The Underground Railroad
Acheron
AnathemExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →Quick answers
Is Quichotte worth reading?
Yes. It was a Booker Prize finalist. It ranks #1,876 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 65.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Quichotte about?
Inspired by Don Quixote, Sam DuChamp, a mediocre writer of spy thrillers, creates Quichotte, a courtly, addled salesman obsessed with television, who falls in love with a TV star. With his imaginary son, Sancho, Quichotte sets off across America to prove himself worthy of her, while his creator faces a midlife crisis of his own.
How long does it take to read Quichotte?
About 10 hours (396 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Quichotte?
If you liked it, try Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie or The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie.



















