Specialists from American and Mexican universities, commemorating its 400th anniversary, study and reflect on Cervantes' narrative poem. Structured as sort of literary journey, book opens with traditions within which book can be read--burlesque epic, obloquy, satire, and follows with analysis of poetic dialogue between Cervantes and Italian poets, lexicographers and geographers. Follows with study of analogies with animal world, structure and narrative resources, Parnassus as topic, images of food and beverages, music, and dreams and self-representation.