Cervantes' Architectures: The Dangers Outside by Frederick A. de Armas (review)

Reviewed by: Cervantes' Architectures: The Dangers Outside by Frederick A. de Armas Julia Domínguez de Armas, Frederick A. Cervantes' Architectures: The Dangers Outside. Toronto, U of Toronto P, 2022. 384 pp. Cervantes' Architectures: The Dangers Outside, the latest research monograph authored by Frederick A. de Armas, proves to be a profoundly enlightening and captivating piece of scholarly work. What sets this book apart is its distinct approach to examining the intricate interplay between Cervantes' narrative and architecture while also incorporating other notable aspects of Renaissance culture, including mythology, painting, the Art of Memory, astronomy, and philosophy. Cervantes' Architectures explores Cervantes' adeptness at seamlessly integrating the discipline of architecture, a preeminent and enriching aspect of the Renaissance, into the very fabric of his novels. Equally remarkable is de Armas' capacity to underscore the significance of Cervantes' achievements with considerable insight and erudition. By drawing upon diverse aesthetic domains and contemporary scholarship, de Armas skillfully interlaces a captivating analysis of Cervantes' literary works with Renaissance culture. He raises pertinent inquiries, such as the often-overlooked role of windows, open spaces, and inner places in Cervantes' narratives, prompting readers to contemplate why scholars have not thoroughly explored the interplay between architecture and Cervantes' storytelling. Notably, de Armas presents a counterargument to the prevailing belief that Cervantes lacked knowledge in architecture, proposing instead that the esteemed writer may have been familiar with architectural treatises of his time, consequently leaving an impact on the narrative and structure of his literary works. De Armas investigates Cervantes' prose, renowned for its ability to challenge readers and their perceptions of reality, by delving into intricate architectural frameworks that defy conventional notions of truthfulness. The book's objectives are clearly outlined in the introduction, reinforced in each individual chapter, and substantively developed through the analysis of literary works, episodes, and architectural wonders. It focuses primarily on specific passages in Cervantes' four novels: La Galatea (1585), Don Quixote I (1605), Don Quixote II (1615), and Persiles y Sigismunda (1616). Given the significance of Don Quixote as Cervantes' most notable work and a rich area for study, the manuscript dedicates four of its nine chapters to this novel. The central aim of this monograph is to envision the physical structures constructed by Cervantes in his fiction, and to explore how these images of habitation are conveyed to readers through the written word. In this pursuit, de Armas draws inspiration from the scholarly insights of Terence Cave and undertakes a thorough examination of various spatial elements present in Cervantes' novels. Additionally, de Armas integrates perspectives from modern architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Juhani Pallasmaa to shed light on Cervantes' relationship with both classical architectural traditions and visionary possibilities of the future. De Armas meticulously demonstrates that Cervantes' fictional spaces often remain in a state of non-existence, unconstructed, deliberately leaving them open to interpretation and imagination. This literary strategy encourages readers to interact with the inherent architectonic potential within Cervantes' narratives. [End Page 662] A substantial portion of the manuscript is devoted to an examination of the portrayal of characters, like Don Quixote, and their creative envisioning and constructing of buildings and landscapes. De Armas perceptively observes Cervantes' depiction of a metamorphosis in these structures and the mechanisms underlying such changes, wherein various architectural styles, ranging from classical to grotesque, are skillfully intermingled. Examples of de Armas' theoretical approach include his analysis of the Prologue of Don Quixote I, or the transformation of the Cave of Montesinos into a crystalline palace evocative of Nero's Domus Aurea, which exemplify noteworthy instances of superimposed architectures. Throughout his study, de Armas illuminates the correlation between architecture and other significant themes in Cervantes' oeuvre, namely captivity, imprisonment, the impact of environmental surroundings, and the repercussions of violence, warfare, or the plague. For example, de Armas delves into the architectural aspects related to Cervantes' imprisonments in Algiers and in Seville, as well as the spatial constraints arising from confinement during the plague. While these themes have received scrutiny from Cervantes scholars, their examination from an architectural vantage point represents a relatively novel and captivating perspective. The manuscript demonstrates de Armas' extensive knowledge of architecture and art, and their application within Renaissance culture. De Armas...

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