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paula12's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
It may have taken me a month but that's because I'm an idiot. This was lovely
judeandolin's review against another edition
4.0
Writing reviews for terrible books is easy, but trying to gather my thoughts about good books is so much more difficult for me. Because I loved this—it was brilliant. It was also boring (not in a bad way, oddly enough). So those two words are what I'm sticking with: Brilliantly boring. Or boringly brilliant? It reminded me a lot of Nicholson Baker's The Mezzanine, though with a definite plot and a lot more intrigue.
It was a book about books, about beginnings, a book in which any reader will doubtlessly see reflections of themselves. (Half of my copy is dog-eared and highlighted.) The story revolves around a main character ("the Reader") who begins reading If on a winter's night a traveler only to find that his copy cuts off just as it gets interesting. When he goes on a journey to find the rest of the book, he manages only to find a trail of other story beginnings, each of them just as magnetic as the last, and each cutting off just when the story really starts to suck you in.
I've always found myself uneasy about the "beginnings" of stories. I dislike the weightlessness of it, the feeling of being on the edge of a cliff and deciding whether or not to jump. This probably sounds like the antithesis of what a reader should be, but let me explain: I'm one of those readers who likes to be in the thick of things already; it's one of the reasons I disliked the first ASoIaF book but have loved the rest of them (and would probably love the first, too, if I ever get around to rereading it). I hate not knowing what's going on, though I do love the slow discovery of it.
But somehow, Calvino transformed this uneasy feeling of the "beginning" into an entire book, making a novel that never fully moves past that act of initial discovery. Every time the Reader and I set out to begin the next story, I found myself embracing the weightless, ungrounded feeling, and every time, just as my environment slipped away and I entered the story fully, it was ripped away. Calvino succeeded in this every time, with every new story, easily making the Reader's struggle, his irritation at being interrupted right when it was getting good, my own.
Now, I could have probably given this five stars, because it was, as I said before, brilliant. It's one of those novels where, as I was reading, I was consumed by it, but after I finished I had to admit it wasn't an all-time favorite.
So in the end, it's not a book I'll feel a connection to down the road, although I'm glad I read it and will definitely recommend it to others.
It was a book about books, about beginnings, a book in which any reader will doubtlessly see reflections of themselves. (Half of my copy is dog-eared and highlighted.) The story revolves around a main character ("the Reader") who begins reading If on a winter's night a traveler only to find that his copy cuts off just as it gets interesting. When he goes on a journey to find the rest of the book, he manages only to find a trail of other story beginnings, each of them just as magnetic as the last, and each cutting off just when the story really starts to suck you in.
I've always found myself uneasy about the "beginnings" of stories. I dislike the weightlessness of it, the feeling of being on the edge of a cliff and deciding whether or not to jump. This probably sounds like the antithesis of what a reader should be, but let me explain: I'm one of those readers who likes to be in the thick of things already; it's one of the reasons I disliked the first ASoIaF book but have loved the rest of them (and would probably love the first, too, if I ever get around to rereading it). I hate not knowing what's going on, though I do love the slow discovery of it.
But somehow, Calvino transformed this uneasy feeling of the "beginning" into an entire book, making a novel that never fully moves past that act of initial discovery. Every time the Reader and I set out to begin the next story, I found myself embracing the weightless, ungrounded feeling, and every time, just as my environment slipped away and I entered the story fully, it was ripped away. Calvino succeeded in this every time, with every new story, easily making the Reader's struggle, his irritation at being interrupted right when it was getting good, my own.
Now, I could have probably given this five stars, because it was, as I said before, brilliant. It's one of those novels where, as I was reading, I was consumed by it, but after I finished I had to admit it wasn't an all-time favorite.
So in the end, it's not a book I'll feel a connection to down the road, although I'm glad I read it and will definitely recommend it to others.
_ebbis_'s review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
adudemaybe's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
4.5
A celebration of how stories begin and what books can mean to different people
sidharthvardhan's review against another edition
5.0
You are now reading a review by Sidharth Vardhan of book ‘If on a Winter Night a traveler’ by Italo Calvino. You had started your computer (or perhaps you are using your computer, logged into your Goodreads account and were checking your dashboard when this review pop up. ‘Another parody review!’ you thought after reading the first line, ‘as if this book hadn’t enough of them’. But perhaps you found it on your mobile. You opened it in new tab and start reading it or may have bookmarked it, so that you can read it in a more convenient time.
Is ‘now’ the convenient time? Are you at your office, supposed to be working? You may want to keep looking over your screen in case your boss shows up. Remember you can’t afford to lose your job, there are all those books you still have to buy.
Or perhaps you are having a break from your reading. Or having a meal – in which case, it is okay. There are things more important than books - but you know that food is not one of them.
Or you might not be alone – you might be with your better or worse half, as case may be. In that case, if you are a guy; it is prudent to stop reading this review. But if you are a woman, it is okay all you got to do is put that lose hair behind your ear. Yes, just like that. Smooth. But, wait, you don’t want to smile too much or your partner might be jealous.
Now, if you have already read the book, you no longer trust the title since it has betrayed you once – you can’t be too sure with all those fake books going around these days. And yes, it is ‘If on a Winter Night’s a traveler’ - not ‘Without fear of wind’ or ‘Vertigo’ or ‘Leaning from the steep slope’ or ‘Outside the town of Malbork’ or ‘In a network of lines that enlace’ or ‘Looks down the gathering shadow’ or ‘In a network of lines that intersect’ or ‘On the carpet of leaves illuminated by the moon’ or ‘Around an empty grave’ or ‘What story down there awaits its end?’ or any other books.
Next you checked the rating the reviewer gave to the book – something which is of special importance if the book in case is a favorite for you. Because, admit it, you feel a kind of possessiveness for your favorite books – as if you own them, wrote them. You want them to do well, them to be liked by all - almost as if they were you children. And if someone doesn’t like them, you feel a bit hurt; sometimes you even think that this someone is still immature to realize the full value of the great work. However, in this case, five stars, so that is not a problem here.
Next, you scrolled down the screen to check whether the review is too long. Too long it is. Yet, you decided to go through it – that is because you haven’t read it and want to know about the book. Or you have already read it – but want to know what I have to say. Not that my opinion is that important – what am I to you but a vague person in some vague part of the world made real only by these reviews? No, rather you think of books you read as if they were places you go to and of reviews as snapshots from there – and therefore, when you see a review from someone else of a book you have already read; it is not her/his opinion that is more relevant but rather you want to check through these snaps - whether those places still look, smell, taste the same, excite the same emotions as they once did in you.
The title of this book, for example, reminds you of the frustration brought by the beginnings of novels that went nowhere; of being made to smile at an almost Nabokovian naughtiness, of being awed by Borges-ian cleverness in playing with realities, of being forced to walk in shoes of a ‘you’ that weren’t you – initially you may have felt used, may be a bit insulted at being reduced to a mere character, a puppet in author’s hands but then you started enjoying being that ‘you’ … and also don’t you remember how when being that ‘you’, you found your and 'your' soul-mate in a book shop? ‘As if there could be a better place’ you murmur.
And yet, so far nothing worth your while has been mentioned in this review; you are feeling a bit disappointed. ‘Very disappointed’ you correct me. And it becomes necessary that I, as the reviewer, should ensure you that I’ve happened to come across some previously undisclosed information about the author – some gossip you might say … but you prefer the word ‘trivia’, well, as you like it, some trivia which shall entirely change or, if I may be so bold to say, enhance your reading experience. And in case, you still doubt it – I give my word of honor that I’m going to share such a trivia. Now you feel some confidence in your decision to pursue this review, right?
You may feel like throwing at me a romantic idea you believe in, like ‘the author is merely incidental, and it is only the work you are interested in’. But still the fact is you are at least a little curious – you can’t help it, you are a Goodreader; the kind of person who can’t help opening a book he/she saw; steals a book you can’t own, who feels as poor in a bookshop as in company of your crush – and who will stare greedily and almost sensously run your lustful finger on books in shops even when knowing you have no intention of buying them (there are no pleasures like stolen pleasures, right?) Yes, you are curious – no matter what you say. In any case, just stop picking up your nose.
… And also as you remember sometimes, I do sometimes have something really good to say (Oh! Come on people, it won’t kill you to nod on that) which i always say in a no-nonsense fashion without beating around the bush, the idea just won't occur to me - it is just not my nature to keep dragging the subject, I will just come out and say it. And I am .... that .... that thing, what you call it, the word you use for someone really good with words .... eloquent, yes, thank you, I'm eloquent ..... or you remember my God-fearing good nature … or at least I am good at spotting the quotes which, I am always careful to provide double-quoted, italicized and blockquoted in my review like this:
In fact,
“The rest is a spoiler.
"
Now you are laughing (if you are enjoying the review, do tell by commenting - adjectives like 'fabulous', 'fantastic and 'incredible' are recommended) … or, may be, today you are not in a mode of jest – it is not one of your best days, may be you were already angry at one of Goodreads’ habitual technical glitches and are further frustrated at childishness of this review; moreover you are one of those who can not be tricked with those jokes, you are too clever for them - even now you have quickly realised that I'm trying to flatter you to make you forget your anger and like me more. If that is the case, you are yourself to blame – I’ve Bart Simpson on my profile picture, remember!
By now, you might be considering whether or not to stop reading this review, but the fact that you have come so far and are thus invested, or the temptation of knowing that trivia I promised, is stopping you from doing it. In which case, you want me to stop second guessing your reactions and get on with …
Okay, I hear you, you don't have to yell. No more jokes. *smiles sinister-ly* You see, the thing is there already exists an incredible review here and I’m feeling a bit sleepy. But not any longer. Let me just give the information. It is ….
.
.
.
.
.
.
Oops.I felt asleep. Apologies. I see my link too went nowhere. Apologies again. It is all that sleepiness you know. Anyways, I won’t keep you much longer. It is already the last paragraph and I can feel your frustration coming out of the screen. And so to keep my promise, I will just dispense with that vital information before I feel asleep again. The time has come, readjust your specs, move closer to screen, pay attention, here it is: The author of the postmodernist novel ‘If on a Winter Night’s a traveler’( which was published in 1979); an Italian journalist and writer of novels and short stories – and also a major contender of Nobel Prize during his life time; Italo Calvina was …
.
.
.
.
Is ‘now’ the convenient time? Are you at your office, supposed to be working? You may want to keep looking over your screen in case your boss shows up. Remember you can’t afford to lose your job, there are all those books you still have to buy.
Or perhaps you are having a break from your reading. Or having a meal – in which case, it is okay. There are things more important than books - but you know that food is not one of them.
Or you might not be alone – you might be with your better or worse half, as case may be. In that case, if you are a guy; it is prudent to stop reading this review. But if you are a woman, it is okay all you got to do is put that lose hair behind your ear. Yes, just like that. Smooth. But, wait, you don’t want to smile too much or your partner might be jealous.
Now, if you have already read the book, you no longer trust the title since it has betrayed you once – you can’t be too sure with all those fake books going around these days. And yes, it is ‘If on a Winter Night’s a traveler’ - not ‘Without fear of wind’ or ‘Vertigo’ or ‘Leaning from the steep slope’ or ‘Outside the town of Malbork’ or ‘In a network of lines that enlace’ or ‘Looks down the gathering shadow’ or ‘In a network of lines that intersect’ or ‘On the carpet of leaves illuminated by the moon’ or ‘Around an empty grave’ or ‘What story down there awaits its end?’ or any other books.
Next you checked the rating the reviewer gave to the book – something which is of special importance if the book in case is a favorite for you. Because, admit it, you feel a kind of possessiveness for your favorite books – as if you own them, wrote them. You want them to do well, them to be liked by all - almost as if they were you children. And if someone doesn’t like them, you feel a bit hurt; sometimes you even think that this someone is still immature to realize the full value of the great work. However, in this case, five stars, so that is not a problem here.
Next, you scrolled down the screen to check whether the review is too long. Too long it is. Yet, you decided to go through it – that is because you haven’t read it and want to know about the book. Or you have already read it – but want to know what I have to say. Not that my opinion is that important – what am I to you but a vague person in some vague part of the world made real only by these reviews? No, rather you think of books you read as if they were places you go to and of reviews as snapshots from there – and therefore, when you see a review from someone else of a book you have already read; it is not her/his opinion that is more relevant but rather you want to check through these snaps - whether those places still look, smell, taste the same, excite the same emotions as they once did in you.
The title of this book, for example, reminds you of the frustration brought by the beginnings of novels that went nowhere; of being made to smile at an almost Nabokovian naughtiness, of being awed by Borges-ian cleverness in playing with realities, of being forced to walk in shoes of a ‘you’ that weren’t you – initially you may have felt used, may be a bit insulted at being reduced to a mere character, a puppet in author’s hands but then you started enjoying being that ‘you’ … and also don’t you remember how when being that ‘you’, you found your and 'your' soul-mate in a book shop? ‘As if there could be a better place’ you murmur.
And yet, so far nothing worth your while has been mentioned in this review; you are feeling a bit disappointed. ‘Very disappointed’ you correct me. And it becomes necessary that I, as the reviewer, should ensure you that I’ve happened to come across some previously undisclosed information about the author – some gossip you might say … but you prefer the word ‘trivia’, well, as you like it, some trivia which shall entirely change or, if I may be so bold to say, enhance your reading experience. And in case, you still doubt it – I give my word of honor that I’m going to share such a trivia. Now you feel some confidence in your decision to pursue this review, right?
You may feel like throwing at me a romantic idea you believe in, like ‘the author is merely incidental, and it is only the work you are interested in’. But still the fact is you are at least a little curious – you can’t help it, you are a Goodreader; the kind of person who can’t help opening a book he/she saw; steals a book you can’t own, who feels as poor in a bookshop as in company of your crush – and who will stare greedily and almost sensously run your lustful finger on books in shops even when knowing you have no intention of buying them (there are no pleasures like stolen pleasures, right?) Yes, you are curious – no matter what you say. In any case, just stop picking up your nose.
… And also as you remember sometimes, I do sometimes have something really good to say (Oh! Come on people, it won’t kill you to nod on that) which i always say in a no-nonsense fashion without beating around the bush, the idea just won't occur to me - it is just not my nature to keep dragging the subject, I will just come out and say it. And I am .... that .... that thing, what you call it, the word you use for someone really good with words .... eloquent, yes, thank you, I'm eloquent ..... or you remember my God-fearing good nature … or at least I am good at spotting the quotes which, I am always careful to provide double-quoted, italicized and blockquoted in my review like this:
“Okay I’ve got nothing this time.”
In fact,
Spoiler
I have planned an excellent ending which shall mock Shakespeare’s Hamlet and go like this:“The rest is a spoiler.
Spoiler
Okay, I have really got nothing.Now you are laughing (if you are enjoying the review, do tell by commenting - adjectives like 'fabulous', 'fantastic and 'incredible' are recommended) … or, may be, today you are not in a mode of jest – it is not one of your best days, may be you were already angry at one of Goodreads’ habitual technical glitches and are further frustrated at childishness of this review; moreover you are one of those who can not be tricked with those jokes, you are too clever for them - even now you have quickly realised that I'm trying to flatter you to make you forget your anger and like me more. If that is the case, you are yourself to blame – I’ve Bart Simpson on my profile picture, remember!
By now, you might be considering whether or not to stop reading this review, but the fact that you have come so far and are thus invested, or the temptation of knowing that trivia I promised, is stopping you from doing it. In which case, you want me to stop second guessing your reactions and get on with …
Okay, I hear you, you don't have to yell. No more jokes. *smiles sinister-ly* You see, the thing is there already exists an incredible review here and I’m feeling a bit sleepy. But not any longer. Let me just give the information. It is ….
.
.
.
.
.
.
Oops.I felt asleep. Apologies. I see my link too went nowhere. Apologies again. It is all that sleepiness you know. Anyways, I won’t keep you much longer. It is already the last paragraph and I can feel your frustration coming out of the screen. And so to keep my promise, I will just dispense with that vital information before I feel asleep again. The time has come, readjust your specs, move closer to screen, pay attention, here it is: The author of the postmodernist novel ‘If on a Winter Night’s a traveler’( which was published in 1979); an Italian journalist and writer of novels and short stories – and also a major contender of Nobel Prize during his life time; Italo Calvina was …
.
.
.
.
phoneygemini's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
gustavocado's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5
Really fun and inventive, even knowing the premise I was often hooked by the start of each story. I do think it loses something when it starts getting more into the apocrypha stuff, but the ending ties up pretty nicely.
jazjaz's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, and Sexism
leovonahn's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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