Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
A classic that deserves such position. Calvino's writing is very special, and passes to the reader Polo's magic through his conversations with Kublai.
The symbolism and commentary on the nature of cities in this novel is fascinating. I could spend hours combing through the pages, finding connections between all these invisible cities. I really enjoyed it.
A bit of a disappointing read for me considering how much I loved hus 'If on a winter's night a traveler'.
Slow meditation on the city and how we view, navigate, place, describe cities.
Had some interesting thoughts and shared interesting views, but was difficult to keep my attention throughout.
"it is not the voice that commands the story: it is the ear'"
Slow meditation on the city and how we view, navigate, place, describe cities.
Had some interesting thoughts and shared interesting views, but was difficult to keep my attention throughout.
"it is not the voice that commands the story: it is the ear'"
Marco tells Kublai of a city far away, one that was originally reached by a river, then built up further along railways, and is now encircled and vivisected by black roads in constant disrepair and yet always being newly paved. Marco describes a city that is one of industry, one of learning, and one of historical importance in so far as the new world's history goes. He tells Kublai of the city that has it's leader's pristine white residence built on a hill of green and then immediately surrounded by structures of steel and glass. He describes the people that live in this city, the people that populate massive homes both gated and immaculately manicured, as well as those that live only blocks away on the streets and in the parks, and he also tells of the migratory youth population that racks up debt from the cities institutions of learning while frequenting the lower establishments of drink, dancing, and general debauchery. It is a crumbling city and a growing city, a city of conservative establishments and budding liberal upstarts, a city of street culture and high culture - the city Marco details goes by the name of Richmond (Virginia, USA) and is a middling city both strangely idyllic and strikingly unremarkable.
A beautifully written and brilliant exploration into cities - what they are, how they are perceived, and what any of it really means. An excellent thought exercise that will open your eyes to your own surroundings. You will see them from new points of view, an infinite number of them. It will also make one itch to travel to new places and explore, finding unique places to your own experience, for a city is different to each set of eyes that are laid upon it.
A beautifully written and brilliant exploration into cities - what they are, how they are perceived, and what any of it really means. An excellent thought exercise that will open your eyes to your own surroundings. You will see them from new points of view, an infinite number of them. It will also make one itch to travel to new places and explore, finding unique places to your own experience, for a city is different to each set of eyes that are laid upon it.
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’d mark this review as containing spoilers if I could possibly think of a way of concisely spoiling this book
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Meditative and philosophical. Outside of time and reality but also feels real and human.
Some off-putting representation of women and people with illnesses or disabilities.
Some off-putting representation of women and people with illnesses or disabilities.
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No