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Liked It “This is a strange step into meta-reading. From the beginning - in which the narrator describes me, as the reader, buying the book and then beginning to read it - my love of all things confusing and amusing kicked in. The second person narration at times makes me feel as if Italo Calvino is...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “"You are about to begin reading Italo Calvino's new novel, If on a Winter's Night a Traveler. Relax. Concentrate." |
Newest Reviews
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“This is a strange step into meta-reading. From the beginning - in which the narrator describes me, as the reader, buying the book and then beginning to read it - my love of all things confusing and amusing kicked in. The second person narration at times makes me feel as if Italo Calvino is secretly sitting behind me and reading my thoughts, and the strange interludes of first chapters are so riddled with symbolism they do little for my blissful paranoia.
Ruby wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I was going to give this four stars, because at times it just comes off as pretentious and drags on a bit... but in the process of reviewing I think I can forgiven him that. ”
“Different. Calvino tells a story over and over from different points of view/styles. ”
Jim R wrote this review 4 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This is easily one of my favorite books. Someone described as a love letter to the reader who loves books. You are taken on a ride that will leave your head spinning.”
Ricardo V wrote this review Saturday, October 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Amazing!!!
Courtney H wrote this review Thursday, October 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
One of the most ingenuitive pieces of Literature! Defies the constraints of Academic Literature. ”
“I didn't read this version, but this book blew me away. It's a collection of "first chapters" of random stories mixed with sections written in the 2nd person, in which you go hunting for the "real" version of a book called "If on a Winter's Night a Traveller". Each of the "first chapters" is a different genre and different topic, but equally engrossing, which makes this book a big tease, really.
Bryan G wrote this review Monday, October 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It's not exactly an easy read, but it's a cool book.”
“Scintilating.”
Joe B wrote this review Saturday, September 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“a book about books ”
Big Butt Bruce wrote this review Friday, September 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Look, it's clever and all, in a Kafkaesque kind of way, and explores the relationship between the author and the reader well, but I became a little tired of it towards the end. Can see the influences of Jorge Luis Borges. ”
Luke H wrote this review Friday, September 11 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“How can a book that teases us with a myriad collection of 'stories' - actually just their premise - without any endings be so immensely satisfying? Even after having finished it, I don't have an answer. But I'll hazard one that I feel is the right answer; the book, in more places than one, perfectly describes the feelings associated with reading. Throughout the book (where he addresses the reader with the second person - yes, he talks to YOU, the person who's reading this review and will probably read the book) he elevates the process of reading books to an art form. You almost feel proud to be reading a book. Strange but great book.”
Maurya P wrote this review Saturday, September 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A pure torment to read, the author starts over again and again, toying with the reader throughout the entire book. If I didn't have a compulsion to finish nearly every book I pick up, I would not have picked up this one.”
Brook S wrote this review Friday, August 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
