Reviews

If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino

faus_'s review

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

olavboi1003's review against another edition

adventurous challenging lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

mkhare's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars. I got rather annoyed by the generally one-note depiction of the female characters in this book and the aggressiveness of the male attention towards them, but overall I thought it was a fantastic read.

naley's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

cultneophyte7's review against another edition

4.0

Oh boy, this book! Easily the most bizarre and outlandish book I've had the pleasure of reading, and in no way I mean that in a detrimental fashion. It feels like Calvino just knew all the right buttons to press to lure you in, and once he has you, there's just no leaving the labyrinth of stories he's laid out for you. Before you know, you're trapped in the narrative(s), feeling frustrated at times, and elated at others, as you try to navigate through it all, trying to make sense of it. Your emotions resonate with those of the version of you on the pages, because yes, you are techincally the protagonist of this one of a kind novel. All in all, a very entertaining read, would highly recommend.

smilevals's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.75

greesman's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

donipal's review against another edition

3.25

A fun and very novel way of telling a story and multiple stories within one book. But not always interesting and sometimes annoying and a bit up-itself with how meta it is. But overall an enjoyable read, despite having to push through some of the drier parts. 

adrianoanne's review

5.0

The most meta book I have read. It touches on the different relationships of reading from the individual relationship of the reader, relationships with other readers, the author, translations, the very act of reading, the text, and everything in between.

aftaerglows's review against another edition

capisco la filosofia di oulipo che c'è dietro alla struttura del romanzo, apprezzo lo stile, abbandono comunque