Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
Read it for a class, beautiful imagery, loved analyzing the text. I loved how the cities were categorized and the fact that there were various ways/ orders the book could be read. This is the kind of book you could read over and over and you would find something new to fixate on.
This book is more of a thought experiment than a story. It reminded me very strongly of the book Einstein's Dreams, by Alan Lightman, which is a thought experiment about time, whereas Calvino's is about cities. Between the two I strongly prefer the former, although it's hard to say why.
Made me think about every word. Like many of its cities, the book is woven tightly by themes that cross the entire text. A good read for those interested in the use of language, image, and theme to make a story real.
Beautiful writing, just the escape i need
"Memory's images, once they are fixed in words, are erased. Perhaps I am afraid of losing Venice all at once, if I speak of it. Or perhaps, speaking of other cities, I have already lost it, little by little."
This little book was such a good read. the beautiful portrayal of the invisible cities in words still stuck in my head after a month.
This book is hard to explain what it is about, because it does not have a specific genre. It's not a collection of short stories, nor is it a memoir. It's just, simply put, a collection of descriptions of the impossible, non-existing cities that the explorer, Marco Polo, claimed he visited when he traveled to Venice. In less than 100 pages, this book was able to make me fall in love with its lyrical writing.
I'm a huge plot seeker- I usually choose to read books that lead to something, a story that has points, the up-downs, arrangements. This book is the opposite and still, I was captivated. such such beautiful writing, especially on the description of the cities! (also it made me miss traveling huhu)
Honestly I don't know how to give a proper review to this book. Just read it and you'll know. I know for sure that I will never get tired of this book, even if I read it thousands of times in the future
"Memory's images, once they are fixed in words, are erased. Perhaps I am afraid of losing Venice all at once, if I speak of it. Or perhaps, speaking of other cities, I have already lost it, little by little."
This little book was such a good read. the beautiful portrayal of the invisible cities in words still stuck in my head after a month.
This book is hard to explain what it is about, because it does not have a specific genre. It's not a collection of short stories, nor is it a memoir. It's just, simply put, a collection of descriptions of the impossible, non-existing cities that the explorer, Marco Polo, claimed he visited when he traveled to Venice. In less than 100 pages, this book was able to make me fall in love with its lyrical writing.
I'm a huge plot seeker- I usually choose to read books that lead to something, a story that has points, the up-downs, arrangements. This book is the opposite and still, I was captivated. such such beautiful writing, especially on the description of the cities! (also it made me miss traveling huhu)
Honestly I don't know how to give a proper review to this book. Just read it and you'll know. I know for sure that I will never get tired of this book, even if I read it thousands of times in the future
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
« I hear, from your voice, the invisible reasons which make cities live »
I’ve been wanting to read Calvino since my sixth form creative writing teacher mentioned him in passing but I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from it.
After a year of living abroad and travelling, it was so interesting to see these gorgeous, lavish descriptions of cities that really make you think of the different ways and reasons they are important. Their secrets, their desires, their fears. The death, the disease, the beauty, the changes, the hardships.
I liked how the chapter names gave a framework of how to read the passage and help with what to take from it, which is great for a book which requires you to think and interpret through your own experiences and perspectives.
« Seek and learn to recognize who and what, in the midst of the inferno, are not inferno, then make them endure, give them space. »
I’ve been wanting to read Calvino since my sixth form creative writing teacher mentioned him in passing but I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from it.
After a year of living abroad and travelling, it was so interesting to see these gorgeous, lavish descriptions of cities that really make you think of the different ways and reasons they are important. Their secrets, their desires, their fears. The death, the disease, the beauty, the changes, the hardships.
I liked how the chapter names gave a framework of how to read the passage and help with what to take from it, which is great for a book which requires you to think and interpret through your own experiences and perspectives.
« Seek and learn to recognize who and what, in the midst of the inferno, are not inferno, then make them endure, give them space. »
such a wonderful, fantastical read with seriously beautiful insights into the strange parts of every day life. i will definitely need to read this again, there is so much packed in all these amazing little tales. loved it!
challenging
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
At first I wasn’t sure about this book—wasn’t sure if I got it. Then my friend died, and this book was the only thing that felt good to read.
Beautiful and thought provoking. Definitely warrants many rereads.
One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read but sorta hard to get through because of the format.