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coconuttyy's review against another edition
4.0
a short literary novel that poses the question ‘why do you read?’ and it feels very liberating. it forces you to remember why you read, and why you’re even continuing the novel itself. it includes humor that you wouldn’t expect in the first place, but it also provides us with different narratives in a cohesive way through unexpected methods. i see this as a bit of a palate cleanser, and an enabling novel. read for your own personal enjoyment!
jayseewhy's review against another edition
5.0
I just finished reading ‘If on a winter’s night a traveller‘ by Italo Calvino, a book about me reading ‘If on a winter’s night a traveller‘ by Italo Calvino.
There’s so much going on here; meditations on reading, clever use of structure, exploration of style. This book was a lot of fun.
There’s so much going on here; meditations on reading, clever use of structure, exploration of style. This book was a lot of fun.
erint251's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Commentary on the nature of reading, writing, and stories is really the core of this book, and it really has some poignant moments.
I enjoyed most of the novels-within-the-novel, although a couple of them were tedious.
Minus 2 whole stars for the sexism baked into the story, which only got worse as I read on.
I enjoyed most of the novels-within-the-novel, although a couple of them were tedious.
Minus 2 whole stars for the sexism baked into the story, which only got worse as I read on.
stephbe96's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
walkingtragedyy's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
scuttlingclaws's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
floatwiththesticks's review against another edition
4.0
Easily the most inventive, challenging and satisfying book I have read. Calvino is a beautiful narrator in that he is able to narrate the parts left un-narrated (and that, to me, is the nature of this novel). Several lines I have had to highlight and read multiple times over... I wasn't entirely intrigued by the concept initially and definitely left the book on my desk for long periods of time BUT after turning that final page, I wanted to read it all over again.
loes_'s review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5