I have no multiple copies, I’ve stopped collecting physical books and almost exclusively use my e- reader. Storing books is so space consuming I just can’t justify it anymore. The only hardcopies I own at this point are gifts from other people that I held on to for that reason.

Man this book was hard for me. I feel like it motivated me to read so much more so that I can go back in 10 years and maybe understand the allusions/references.

Have you read Anathem by Neal Stephenson? It’s got great world building and is pretty weird sci-fi but definitely not “horror” in any sense of the word so may not be exactly what you’re looking for. Fun read though.

Hated hated hated this book. Not to discourage others from reading it, just seconding the sentiment that it’s a book few people finish.

Suttree strikes me as being similarly world weary as Maqroll but McCarthy’s characterization is much richer than Mutis’s and I enjoyed the book more than I’m enjoying Maqroll.

You know - I read the comparisons to Don Quixote before I picked up this book and I REALLY disliked Don Quixote. I did finish part 1 but could not bring myself to start part 2 - not sure if that counts as DNF or not.

In answer to your question, I’m not sure I see strong parallels between Maqroll and Don Quixote, the tone in Don Quixote was much less disenchanted/jaded and more… well, quixotic. I don’t think Maqroll as character has the same “humorous” (I didn’t find it funny) self-delusion that people appreciate in Don Quixote. Maqroll is a realist his adventures just aren’t very believable and I don’t think the writing/atmosphere outweighs the trudging plot. I think my main objection to Maqroll (hearkening back to the Dr. Evil reference) is that it comes across to me as if it was written by a person who isn’t very worldy but uses obscure/exotic settings to seem like they are. Which is strange because by all accounts Mutis was actually quite well traveled. I guess in my opinion where Melville succeeds in building credibility by delving into the minutia of cetology Mutis fails in establishing his worldliness with his plot/settings (in my opinion of course).

Struggling through the Adventures and Misdaventures of Maqroll - what a drag, feel like I’m reading the same episode over and over again.