Ever wondered what a literary genius does when he's had enough of his critics? In 'Viage al Parnaso' (or 'Voyage to Parnassus'), Miguel de Cervantes gives us his answer, and it's a brilliantly strange one. Written in verse, this is his most personal and overlooked work.

The Story

The plot is delightfully simple. Cervantes himself is the main character. He receives a call from the god Apollo, who needs help. Mount Parnassus, the sacred home of poetry and the muses, is under attack by a horde of terrible, talentless poets. Apollo appoints Cervantes as the captain of a defense force made up of all the good Spanish poets of the age. The book is the story of their journey to the mountain and the ensuing, very literary, war. It's part travelogue, part epic battle, and part roster of who's who in Spanish poetry.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't just a silly poem. It's Cervantes letting his hair down. You get his sharp wit and his deep love for the art of writing, but you also feel his frustrations. He name-drops friends and savagely roasts his enemies. Reading it feels like getting a backstage pass to the 17th-century Spanish literary scene, with all its gossip, alliances, and drama. It reveals the man behind 'Don Quixote'—proud, funny, and a bit bruised by the world.

Final Verdict

This one is for the curious Cervantes fan who wants to see the full picture. It's perfect for readers who love meta-fiction, literary history, or stories about creative struggle. If you enjoy a clever inside joke and don't mind a plot that's more about ideas than action, you'll find this short voyage totally rewarding. Think of it as a secret, satirical appendix to his masterpiece.