Exemplary Stories

These heroic tales — blending satire, realism, and humor — were more popular in their day than Cervantes's enduring masterpiece, Don Quixote. First published in 1613, they are entirely original and appear to be drawn from the author's own experience and observations. Even the most fanciful of these yarns offers an earthy, unpretentious reflection of the daily realities of late sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century life as well as abundant wit and subtle irony.
Twelve stories, expertly translated by Walter K. Kelly, include "The Little Gypsy Girl," a Cinderella romance between a nobleman and a young bohemian; "Rinconete and Cortadillo," the picaresque adventures of a pair of thieves; "The Licentiate Vidriera," a tale concerning a delusional young man and the pressures of fame; "The Deceitful Marriage," in which a fortune-hunting soldier receives his comeuppance; "Dialogue between Scipio and Berganza," a hilarious commentary on the human condition by a pair of talking canines; and other memorable fables ranging from the realistic to the fantastical.

Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) fought against the Ottoman Empire and was wounded at the Battle of Lepanto. Captured by pirates, he was enslaved for five years until a ransom secured his release. While working as a civil servant, he produced poetry and plays that were largely ignored but the 1605 publication of part I of Don Quixote, followed by the 1615 publication of part II, ensured his lasting fame.

CONTENTS

Preface
Dedication
Author's Preface
Exemplary Stories