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Cover of Quichotte by Salman RushdieQuichotte
Modern · Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure

Quichotte

by Salman Rushdie
2019 · 396 pages · Fiction
Critics' pick
≈ 10 hours to read · about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day

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

Good to know

It's playful and digressive, full of pop culture.

By the numbers

65.0Must-Read Score
  • 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

Why it made the list

Shortlisted
Booker Prize finalist (2019)

Reads as

Adventurous, Moving

How we rank

Already read it? Upload your Goodreads or StoryGraph history and get the 50 best books you haven't read, tuned to your taste.Get my 50

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Explore the best-of lists

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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.