Reviews

Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino

pizzacruuuuust's review against another edition

4.0

I read this over a very long period between reading other things, but I liked it like that, dipping in and out of these fantastical descriptions of cities. There are so many pages I folded over (sorry not sorry) to come back to visit the cities again.
Made me think about how we interact with city spaces a bit different I think.
Would definitely be useful to draw ideas from for anyone running a big Ttrpg game or something

feather_mcgraw's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

3.0

This book was amazing for the 1st half. However, it became slightly repetitive towards the middle and end. I enjoyed the break between the descriptions of the cities when Kublai and Marco would discuss the cities together. I think I would have appreciated it more if I understood its meaning better. 

alirizvi1's review against another edition

4.0

A captivating journey through the writers imagination. Off-setting narrative (or lack thereof) at first but did end up making quite the impression

sonnetson's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• 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

3.75

I was really sold on this in the last third or so. The sections on the cities of the dead, the cities of the sky, the continues cities, and the hidden cities were by far the best. Some of the early stuff, while interesting and beautiful, was not as imaginative as the ending. It all builds up to great philisophical reflection on humanity, which was surprising and impactful considering its more lighthearted start. I think I would have to reread this to fully appreciate it.

kaiolenatac's review against another edition

3.25

Reminded me a lot of Einstein's Dreams! Quite enjoyable and quick.

mattrose's review

adventurous inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

caffeinatedbookwoorm's review against another edition

inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

onthedig's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

It was very very good. Not normally the kind of literature I read but I read Underground by R. MacFarlane and he referenced it so I knew I had to check it out. It's beautifully done and I think everyone who reads this will view it differently. Different parts will resonate with different people and make it a whole new story just for you based in your perspective. 

One piece of advice, read one chapter fully. Don't stop in the middle. The chapters are very short so it shouldn't be too bad but stopping the middle completely ruins the vision in granduer that Calvino is trying to create. 

laurafd's review against another edition

adventurous reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

eko_hav's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

5.0