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jolierice99's review
4.0
I feel like I always leave Calvino books a little confused, in a Ghibli sort of way. You know what happened was well done and beautiful, but really need someone to explain what just happened. And I like that. Not for everyone, and this book was a bit meandering in its own way, very on brand. It's more like Invisible Cities than If on a Winter's Night a Traveller, and I definitely prefer the style of the latter to the former, but can still appreciate good writing, eccentricity, and disregard for normality.
Most people may not like this, as there's really not much of a plot, just a collection of stories, but I loved the little tarot illustrations throughout and overall thought it was pretty good. One of my favorite quotes is "the best place to hide a secret is in an unfinished novel" that really resonated with me. Calvino is very quotable, and I read this a little too fast to fully grasp everything it had to offer, but still enjoyed it.
Most people may not like this, as there's really not much of a plot, just a collection of stories, but I loved the little tarot illustrations throughout and overall thought it was pretty good. One of my favorite quotes is "the best place to hide a secret is in an unfinished novel" that really resonated with me. Calvino is very quotable, and I read this a little too fast to fully grasp everything it had to offer, but still enjoyed it.
libridilevina's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lucabaraldi's review against another edition
2.0
Ne apprezzo il concept, non ne apprezzo la realizzazione. Personalmente mi sono annoiato meno a leggere saggi scientifici.
ilaria_94's review against another edition
2.0
Meh.
Dopo aver letto 'Il cavaliere inesistente' ed averlo amato per la sua semplicità e ironia, ho deciso, anche perché facente parte del programma scolastico, di leggere anche questo libro.
Non è stata una bella esperienza.
L'idea di base di parlare attraverso le carte dei tarocchi è certamente splendida, ma sviluppata in modo così sintetico che chi, come me, sa poco dei tarocchi si sente spaesato. E' un insieme di immagini sovrapposte l'una sopra l'altra, quasi senza senso.
L'unico racconto che mi è piaciuto davvero è stato 'Storia dell'Orlando pazzo per amore'. Gli altri sono stati un po' una delusione.
Vedremo come sarà il prossimo libro di Calvino che leggerò. Perché è certo, non abbandono Calvino in questo punto!
Dopo aver letto 'Il cavaliere inesistente' ed averlo amato per la sua semplicità e ironia, ho deciso, anche perché facente parte del programma scolastico, di leggere anche questo libro.
Non è stata una bella esperienza.
L'idea di base di parlare attraverso le carte dei tarocchi è certamente splendida, ma sviluppata in modo così sintetico che chi, come me, sa poco dei tarocchi si sente spaesato. E' un insieme di immagini sovrapposte l'una sopra l'altra, quasi senza senso.
L'unico racconto che mi è piaciuto davvero è stato 'Storia dell'Orlando pazzo per amore'. Gli altri sono stati un po' una delusione.
Vedremo come sarà il prossimo libro di Calvino che leggerò. Perché è certo, non abbandono Calvino in questo punto!
lafee's review
4.0
Calvino's writing is magical. Labyrinthine. I haven't stopped thinking about this book since I finished it.
alessiasbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Siamo tutti d’accordo sul fatto che Calvino fosse un genio vero?
enjvltaire's review against another edition
4.0
"la vita è spreco di materiale che va a ramengo, il calderone del mare non fa che ripetere quello che succede dentro costellazioni che continuano da miliardi di anni a pestare atomi nei mortai delle loro esplosioni, qui evidenti pur nel cielo color latte"
modernviking's review
3.0
I like the idea of this book but it is always so hard to actually read. Not sure why but something about it just passes me
daniella84's review against another edition
3.0
Did I know what was going on most of the time? No not really...but I had fun I think?
The note at the end about how Calvino put this book together was really interesting, and kind of explains how some of the stories in here got so convoluted. It truly is a unique concept though which was cool to see played out. I think some enjoyment was lost though in me having vague or no knowledge of a lot of the characters/stories he was referencing so I ended up pretty confused in some of the stories. I think having this understanding would have helped to work out why stories had been placed together (or just what was going on tbh).
The concept though alone is so cool that I might try and read this again one day! It reminded me a little of [b:Invisible Cities|9809|Invisible Cities|Italo Calvino|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1468623303l/9809._SY75_.jpg|68476] in some parts, but Calvino's imagination was truly running wild here!
The note at the end about how Calvino put this book together was really interesting, and kind of explains how some of the stories in here got so convoluted. It truly is a unique concept though which was cool to see played out. I think some enjoyment was lost though in me having vague or no knowledge of a lot of the characters/stories he was referencing so I ended up pretty confused in some of the stories. I think having this understanding would have helped to work out why stories had been placed together (or just what was going on tbh).
The concept though alone is so cool that I might try and read this again one day! It reminded me a little of [b:Invisible Cities|9809|Invisible Cities|Italo Calvino|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1468623303l/9809._SY75_.jpg|68476] in some parts, but Calvino's imagination was truly running wild here!
shane_tiernan's review
1.0
I thought this was going to be really good but it was really repetitive and boring. Just not original enough to hold my attention.