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pearloz's review against another edition
Hmm. Short one. My first Calvino, probably not the best introduction. I enjoyed the first story, Under the Jaguar Sun involving a couple touring Mexico, tasting food, trying to understand the history of Mexico, of sacrifices, of ritual. The second and third stories really didn't do it for me, although I think I enjoyed the story of the king listening more than the other. The stories each pertained to one of the senses (taste, hearing, smell), and while I'm not giving it a rating, I regret the author died before getting to finish all the senses.
daniella84's review against another edition
3.0
Certainly a strange (unfinished) collection based on 3/5 of the senses. I think I would give Under the Jaguar Sun and The Name, The Nose 3 stars each, and A King Listens 3.5, but I need to reread that one. Calvino definitely knows how to engage the senses (haha) and even when I didn't love the story (wasn't expecting cannibalism) I think he really connects you to the sense he's writing about which is neat, especially in stories that are so short.
I love a good paranoia plotline so I think that's why A King Listens worked better for me but there is also that part of me that thinks I'm never getting the full message out of things I read that are more 'literary' so...
I love a good paranoia plotline so I think that's why A King Listens worked better for me but there is also that part of me that thinks I'm never getting the full message out of things I read that are more 'literary' so...
i_b_anoud's review against another edition
5.0
6 ⭐
Yes, out of 5
I'm well aware that I placed this book under "poetry" and that'll be that.
Yes, out of 5
I'm well aware that I placed this book under "poetry" and that'll be that.
colinmcafee's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite Calvino but still a worthwhile read. I don’t think I was paying enough attention to really appreciate it to be honest. My bad
gorecki's review against another edition
4.0
This was a short little book that in my opinion was edited and published perfectly - letting you jump into it, enjoy it, discover it, think about it, and then adding a clarifying afterword instead of a spoiling foreword. I jumped into this collection without any prior idea of what I’m getting myself into, without knowing what the stories are about and what they’re meant to signify. For me, this was a collection of a couple of short stories by a popular writer whom I’d not read before. And I was in for a treat.
Calvino’s language is rich and lush, and I was delighted by how detailed his descriptions are without making them overwritten or over the top. The way he describes the senses is brilliant and you could almost taste, hear and smell everything he writes about. Add a dash of mystical, magical, mythical aftertaste to it and you have a delighted Georgi. And while l did start sensing a connection between the stories when I started the second one, the afterword came right on time to provide a clarification about what I’d just read and what else is there behind it.
Calvino’s language is rich and lush, and I was delighted by how detailed his descriptions are without making them overwritten or over the top. The way he describes the senses is brilliant and you could almost taste, hear and smell everything he writes about. Add a dash of mystical, magical, mythical aftertaste to it and you have a delighted Georgi. And while l did start sensing a connection between the stories when I started the second one, the afterword came right on time to provide a clarification about what I’d just read and what else is there behind it.
sfletcher26's review against another edition
2.0
Never having read any Calvino before I thought I'd start with this collection of short stories, the last stories he wrote. I'm not convinced this was such a good place to start in retrospect.
It left me perplexed and not tempted to read anything else by him.
It left me perplexed and not tempted to read anything else by him.
paddyh's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
aodhanmurphy27's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5