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rebcamuse's review against another edition
4.0
Calvino's fascination with the Middle Ages seems almost satirical in these two very tongue-in-cheek novellas. In no way a beach read, these two pseudo-existential stories deal with basic principles of existence (or non-existence) after the fashion of a parable with omniscient narration.
The characters are colorful, although sometimes the development is somewhat open-ended. Calvino molds his characters is such a way that one is not sure with whom to have sympathy. This perhaps is the novelist's greatest statement in showing the definitions of "good" and "evil" to be somewhat grey.
Highly recommended read...think Italian Beckett.
The characters are colorful, although sometimes the development is somewhat open-ended. Calvino molds his characters is such a way that one is not sure with whom to have sympathy. This perhaps is the novelist's greatest statement in showing the definitions of "good" and "evil" to be somewhat grey.
Highly recommended read...think Italian Beckett.
deegee24's review against another edition
3.0
These two short novels, along with The Baron in the Trees, are part of Calvino's Our Ancestors trilogy from the 1950s. They represent Calvino turning away from the neorealism of The Path to the Nest of Spiders, his first novel, to incorporate elements of fantasy and folklore. This is still not the mature Calvino, but if you like his later works, they are worth exploring.
The Nonexistent Knight--3 1/2 stars. The last of the trilogy to be published and perhaps the most successful. It's kind of like Monty Python meets Cervantes. Characters from history (Charlemagne) and myth (the Knights of the Holy Grail) intermingle in a whimsical fable set during the crusades, narrated by a cloistered nun. The story is somewhat dated due to Calvino's casual male chauvinism, which makes the female characters less interesting than they could have been.
The Cloven Viscount--2 stars. The first and worst of the trilogy. Calvino starts out with an utterly absurd idea, that the main character was literally divided in half by cannon fire and both halves miraculously survived to live independent lives, one good and one evil. OK, fine. But Calvino does very little with this premise throughout the meandering plot and all the characters are just shallow social types. The humor is very strained. It reminds me of bad Salman Rushdie (who was of course influenced by Calvino). The book is only 100 pages long but it was a chore to finish. It might have worked better as a 20-page story or children's book, like something by William Steig.
The Nonexistent Knight--3 1/2 stars. The last of the trilogy to be published and perhaps the most successful. It's kind of like Monty Python meets Cervantes. Characters from history (Charlemagne) and myth (the Knights of the Holy Grail) intermingle in a whimsical fable set during the crusades, narrated by a cloistered nun. The story is somewhat dated due to Calvino's casual male chauvinism, which makes the female characters less interesting than they could have been.
The Cloven Viscount--2 stars. The first and worst of the trilogy. Calvino starts out with an utterly absurd idea, that the main character was literally divided in half by cannon fire and both halves miraculously survived to live independent lives, one good and one evil. OK, fine. But Calvino does very little with this premise throughout the meandering plot and all the characters are just shallow social types. The humor is very strained. It reminds me of bad Salman Rushdie (who was of course influenced by Calvino). The book is only 100 pages long but it was a chore to finish. It might have worked better as a 20-page story or children's book, like something by William Steig.
littletaiko's review against another edition
4.0
These two novellas are aptly named as they completely identify the main characters in each story. The nonexistent knight is a suit of armor who servers under Charlemange and is the most perfect of knights in his actions. When he discovers that the actions that made him a knight might not be true, he sets off to track down the virgin he saved in order to prove his worth. He is followed by his squire who may be the most inept squire ever, a young impressionable knight wanna be, and a female knight who has the hots for the nonexistent knight. The story is narrated by a nun who takes us through these amusing and improbably escapades. I loved this story so much.
The second story is of the cloven viscount who found himself in that situation after being split exactly in half during battle. One half of the viscount returns home where it soon becomes clear that this half is the evil half. Eventually, the other half returns home as well and overwhelms people with his goodness. When the two halves fight a duel to win the hand of a young lady things come to an unusual end.
Both of these stories have Calvino's subtle unique sense of humor that appeals to my funny bone.
The second story is of the cloven viscount who found himself in that situation after being split exactly in half during battle. One half of the viscount returns home where it soon becomes clear that this half is the evil half. Eventually, the other half returns home as well and overwhelms people with his goodness. When the two halves fight a duel to win the hand of a young lady things come to an unusual end.
Both of these stories have Calvino's subtle unique sense of humor that appeals to my funny bone.
emmbien's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the second novella better than the first, but maybe that’s because I had become better acquainted with the humor and style of Calvino. I am looking forward to exploring more.
dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review against another edition
2.0
None of the dreamy quality of Invisible Cities or the off-kilterness of Mr. Palomar. It's a pretty good parody of knights-in-armor tales, but I just couldn't get into it.
I also wonder how much translation comes into it. This one was translated by Archibald Colquhoun, whereas the other two I've read were translated by William Weaver. The writing in The Nonexistant Knight was much more clunky than in the others, and I'm not sure how much is because it was early in Calvino's career, and how much is because Conquohoun is not as good with words. Everything sounded very stilted, and I'm not sure if it was on purpose or not, but it was very distracting.
I also wonder how much translation comes into it. This one was translated by Archibald Colquhoun, whereas the other two I've read were translated by William Weaver. The writing in The Nonexistant Knight was much more clunky than in the others, and I'm not sure how much is because it was early in Calvino's career, and how much is because Conquohoun is not as good with words. Everything sounded very stilted, and I'm not sure if it was on purpose or not, but it was very distracting.
megelsewhere's review against another edition
5.0
It was beautifully written(/translated). Both short novels are amusing and provoking (in the good way) and deeply satisfying.
the_town_cryer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.25
An enjoyable set of fantastical parodies. Read the knight’s story for fun and hilarity, read the Viscount’s story for macabre intrigue
audalin's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alexisparade's review
5.0
the part where Gurdulu believes he’s a pear and then falls out of the pear tree and rolls down a hill changed my life