Don Chisciotte della Mancia

Listening to Carini’s rendition of Don Chisciotte over several weeks felt like living alongside the characters. His decision to underplay the absurdity—especially during the windmill episode or the adventure with the fulling mills—actually amplifies the comedy. There’s a quiet dignity in his portrayal of Don Chisciotte that makes the character’s unraveling in later chapters all the more affecting. That said, the audiobook’s pacing can feel sluggish in the second volume, where Cervantes indulges in nested tales and meta-commentary. A few of these digressions drag, and Carini’s otherwise excellent delivery doesn’t always find the urgency to push through them. The production is clean, no flourishes, which suits the material, but listeners used to dynamic soundscapes might miss atmospheric touches. Still, this is storytelling as craft: deliberate, immersive, and emotionally resonant. Carini never winks at the audience, which is exactly right—this novel’s power lies in its sincerity amid the satire. For anyone willing to commit to a 40-hour journey with a madman who believes too much in nobility, this version earns its place on your shelf.