Books (and 'quixotian'????) - HibeesBounce.com

**Northern Ireland Hibby** · 18-02-08, 15:10

I've got a couple of Louis de Berniereseses (Birds Without Wings and the new one) as well as a new Sebastian Faulks effort to look forward to.

I also ordered a copy of Don Quioxte, hopefully it's readable as opposed to being one of those classics I can't make any headway with.

One thing bothering me though - what does the term 'quixotian' mean, when someone is described as being quixotian/ or on a quixotian quest?

Cheers

**SG7nil** · 18-02-08, 15:22

Always thought I kinda knew what that meant, but wasn't sure so tried looking it up...there's no reference to it anywhere that I can find.
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My idea of what Quixotian means is... (apologies to any lexicographers on here) ... to undertake something (a quest or struggle) that is ultimately doomed to failure, probably with the best of intentions, but probably not really understanding what you are up against from the start, so badly prepared.

Maybe I'm way off beam though....

**Dr Shrink** · 18-02-08, 15:29

I think the word is "Quixotic" ........ and it means undertaking a task or enterprise that is more concerned with ideals rather than realities.

Maybe a bit like "tilting at windmills" from the same source..........

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**wee 162** · 18-02-08, 15:30

Spot on definition imo SG7nil.

Usual term is quixotic rather than quixotian though to the best of my knowledge.

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**Northern Ireland Hibby** · 18-02-08, 15:33

Thanks all.
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Brainwrong · 18-02-08, 15:40

I'm pretty sure I've read more than one article where Hibs are described as quixotic.

**wee 162** · 18-02-08, 15:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brainwrong
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I'm pretty sure I've read more than one article where Hibs are described as quixotic.

I think that is just being used as a synonym for schizophrenic tbh.

**Dr Shrink** · 18-02-08, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brainwrong
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I'm pretty sure I've read more than one article where Hibs are described as quixotic.

Just a mistake in the dictation I think ....... more likely to be "chaotic"

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Brainwrong · 18-02-08, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by wee 162
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I think that is just being used as a synonym for schizophrenic tbh.

Would make more sense unless we're talking about the Scottish Cup.

Brainwrong · 18-02-08, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Shrink
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Just a mistake in the dictation I think ....... more likely to be "chaotic"

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You must've been at the match yesterday too!

Sancho Panza · 18-02-08, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northern Ireland Hibby
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I've got a couple of Louis de Berniereseses (Birds Without Wings and the new one) as well as a new Sebastian Faulks effort to look forward to.

I also ordered a copy of Don Quioxte, hopefully it's readable as opposed to being one of those classics I can't make any headway with.

One thing bothering me though - what does the term 'quixotian' mean, when someone is described as being quixotian/ or on a quixotian quest?

Cheers

I really enjoyed, Don Quixote (you'd never guess!) and I found it pretty readable. I sometimes feel that all roads lead to Don Quixote, the number of times I come across unexpected references to it. The only problem I had is that it's really two books rolled into one; the original novel and it's sequel. The second part is the further whacky adventures of Don Quixote and Sancho and it can get a bit wearing. Still it's remarkably 'modern' for a novel written over 400 years ago. It has stories within stories and in the second part the characters are aware that someone is writing their story. To nick a good quote from Steve Coogan about Tristram Shandy, Don Quixote was post-modern before there was anything 'modern' to be 'post' about.

**Bartok** · 18-02-08, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sancho Panza
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I really enjoyed, Don Quixote (you'd never guess!) and I found it pretty readable. I sometimes feel that all roads lead to Don Quixote, the number of times I come across unexpected references to it. The only problem I had is that it's really two books rolled into one; the original novel and it's sequel. The second part is the further whacky adventures of Don Quixote and Sancho and it can get a bit wearing. Still it's remarkably 'modern' for a novel written over 400 years ago. It has stories within stories and in the second part the characters are aware that someone is writing their story. To nick a good quote from Steve Coogan about Tristram Shandy, Don Quixote was post-modern before there was anything 'modern' to be 'post' about.

Tristram Shandy is absolutely superb btw
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GalegoHibs · 18-02-08, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brainwrong
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I'm pretty sure I've read more than one article where Hibs are described as quixotic.

I'm sure you have. Probably when used in the sense of Hibs appealing to those of a romantic rather than practical nature.

I also like Don Quijote. Found it funny and sad. It's quite a demanding read requiring a patient read. Don't expect to enjoy every page but it's definitely worth reading and I'd urge anyone interested in serious literature to read at least some of it.

Sancho Panza · 19-02-08, 18:29

By a bizarre coincidence, after saying in my earlier post how Don Quixote crops up unexpectedly, I came across the word 'quixotic' in Oliver Twist. Probably not surprising as Don Quixote was a big influence on Dickens, as well as Laurence Sterne, Dostoyevsky and Flaubert. I can also recommend Monsignor Quixote by Graham Greene; an amusing modern update of the story and considerably shorter!

GalegoHibs · 20-02-08, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sancho Panza
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By a bizarre coincidence, after saying in my earlier post how Don Quixote crops up unexpectedly, I came across the word 'quixotic' in Oliver Twist. Probably not surprising as Don Quixote was a big influence on Dickens, as well as Laurence Sterne, Dostoyevsky and Flaubert. I can also recommend Monsignor Quixote by Graham Greene; an amusing modern update of the story and considerably shorter!

Read that over 15 years ago and still recall it being a great book. One of Greene's best novels, and I've read many of them.
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Sancho Panza · 20-02-08, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by GalegoHibs
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Read that over 15 years ago and still recall it being a great book. One of Greene's best novels, and I've read many of them.
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Yeah, Greene's pretty good. Read Travels With My Aunt last year and liked it a lot despite figuring out the plot twist fairly early on. He was one of the few authors that I had to read at school who I didn't mind. Which ones do you recommend? I've read Brighton Rock, The Power and The Glory, Monsignor Quixote, Travels With My Aunt and The Quiet American.

GalegoHibs · 20-02-08, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sancho Panza
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Yeah, Greene's pretty good. Read Travels With My Aunt last year and liked it a lot despite figuring out the plot twist fairly early on. He was one of the few authors that I had to read at school who I didn't mind. Which ones do you recommend? I've read Brighton Rock, The Power and The Glory, Monsignor Quixote, Travels With My Aunt and The Quiet American.

It's been a while but apart from the ones you mention I enjoyed all of these: The Third Man, Our Man in Havana, Dr Fischer of Geneva or The Bomb Party and a personal favorite (although it may have had something to do with my private life at the time) The End of the Affair.
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I'd also recommend his very concise autobiography A Sort of Life.

18-02-08, 15:10	#1
Northern Ireland Hibby nihibs.com radge Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In County Antrim, so I am Age: 31 Posts: 9,344 Thanks: 138 Thanked 68 Times in 42 Posts Rep Power: 18 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats: Blast The Enemy Champion! Fucking Killer Champion! Power Driver Champion!	Books (and 'quixotian'????) I've got a couple of Louis de Berniereseses (Birds Without Wings and the new one) as well as a new Sebastian Faulks effort to look forward to. I also ordered a copy of Don Quioxte, hopefully it's readable as opposed to being one of those classics I can't make any headway with. One thing bothering me though - what does the term 'quixotian' mean, when someone is described as being quixotian/ or on a quixotian quest? Cheers __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Never pick another man's pineapple

18-02-08, 15:22	#2
SG7nil Pedantic Fact Hunting Radge Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Where the Chief puts the Sunshine Posts: 2,679 My Mood: Thanks: 141 Thanked 121 Times in 65 Posts Rep Power: 7 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats: Blot In Hell Champion! Harry the Hamster Champion! Holding Champion! Hovercraft Racing Champion! Jewels Of Hell Champion! Mastermind Champion! Meta Ploy Champion! Tic Tac Toe Champion! Zodiac Slots Champion! Tournaments Won: 2	Re: Books (and 'quixotian'????) Always thought I kinda knew what that meant, but wasn't sure so tried looking it up...there's no reference to it anywhere that I can find. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. My idea of what Quixotian means is... (apologies to any lexicographers on here) ... to undertake something (a quest or struggle) that is ultimately doomed to failure, probably with the best of intentions, but probably not really understanding what you are up against from the start, so badly prepared. Maybe I'm way off beam though.... __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

18-02-08, 15:29	#3
Dr Shrink Smugness Personified Radge Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: In a cupboard under the stairs. Age: 82 Posts: 8,763 My Mood: Thanks: 35 Thanked 164 Times in 81 Posts Rep Power: 34 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats: Bubbels Champion! Glop Champion! Glop 2:Glops Revenge Champion! Glop 3:Final Battle Champion! Gold Strike Champion! Halloween Pumpkins Champion!	Re: Books (and 'quixotian'????) I think the word is "Quixotic" ........ and it means undertaking a task or enterprise that is more concerned with ideals rather than realities. Maybe a bit like "tilting at windmills" from the same source.......... To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. For the avoidance of doubt, anything stated in the above post is written without prejudice; is probably completely uninformed opinion, and possibly just a figment of my imagination. Readers should either ignore, treat with contempt, or simply accept the spirit it is written in, without recourse to huffy replies, legal action or threats of violence. That includes YOU.

18-02-08, 15:30	#4
wee 162 Bounce Flag Co-Owner Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sunny Leith Age: 34 Posts: 12,697 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 32 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats:	Re: Books (and 'quixotian'????) Spot on definition imo SG7nil. Usual term is quixotic rather than quixotian though to the best of my knowledge. [Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register] __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. quality='high' bgcolor='#006699' width='300' height='184' name='indecision_2008_action_item' align='middle' allowScriptAccess='always' allownetworking='external' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage=' To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. who seek to be equal with men lack ambition.” Timothy Leary

18-02-08, 15:33	#5
Northern Ireland Hibby nihibs.com radge Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In County Antrim, so I am Age: 31 Posts: 9,344 Thanks: 138 Thanked 68 Times in 42 Posts Rep Power: 18 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats: Blast The Enemy Champion! Fucking Killer Champion! Power Driver Champion!	Re: Books (and 'quixotian'????) Thanks all. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Never pick another man's pineapple

18-02-08, 15:40	#6
Brainwrong Vernacular Radge Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Jist doon the road, laddie Age: 31 Posts: 2,798 Thanks: 6 Thanked 74 Times in 18 Posts Rep Power: 11 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats:	Re: Books (and 'quixotian'????) I'm pretty sure I've read more than one article where Hibs are described as quixotic. __________________ The twisted brainwrong of a one-off man mental. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

19-02-08, 18:29	#14
Sancho Panza Radge from La Mancha Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: La Mancha Age: 43 Posts: 424 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 4 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats:	Re: Books (and 'quixotian'????) By a bizarre coincidence, after saying in my earlier post how Don Quixote crops up unexpectedly, I came across the word 'quixotic' in Oliver Twist. Probably not surprising as Don Quixote was a big influence on Dickens, as well as Laurence Sterne, Dostoyevsky and Flaubert. I can also recommend Monsignor Quixote by Graham Greene; an amusing modern update of the story and considerably shorter! __________________ We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time

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