Rating: 
Summary: A Literary Triumph
Review: The greatest thing about this unquestionably great book is the beauty of the writing. I could go on indefinately about the wonderful interconnected plot, Calvino's masterful use of symbols, the important and intriguing themes... But the true joy of this book is simply the way Calvino uses the medium of words to paint what I would not hesitate to call a masterpiece. I will love it always most of all because it made me want to go out and read more and write more. It reminded me how special these two things are.
Rating:
Summary: FABULOUS, MAGICAL
Review: Calvino can be hit or miss. You either love him or hate him. This book is truly one of his best. It is an interactive novel where the reader becomes one of the characters. If you have a strong need for resolution and don't like stories left to your imagination, don't read this book; you will be frustrated and disappointed. If you are a "traveler" in the sense where you have visited many places without leaving your home, if you enjoy the magical realism of Borges and Marquez, this book will thrill you and take you on a thought provoking ride.
Rating:
Summary: ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC..!
Review: This is the best Calvino book I have ever read. It just keeps you intrigued from start to finish. Fiendishly complex, yet simple and enchanting to read. Oh, I thought it was really funny too.
Rating:
Summary: Calvino at his finest
Review: "If On Winter's Night a Traveler" can be frustrating, and can be slow, but it is brilliant nonetheless, like Kubrick's "2001". I look at it as Calvino playing a con game with the reader, drawing him farther and farther in with the promise of an explanation. If you are the sort that takes offense with a writer playing mind games with you, then avoid this book, by all means. But if you are interested in a truly revolutionary way of writing, read this book at all costs. I have forced most of my friends to read it, and gotten nothing but thanks in return.
Rating: 
Summary: Like wading through treacle (in a sack!)
Review: I'm clearly in the minority but this book is just pretentious beyond all reason. I've given it two stars rather than one because, yes, it does seem to have a point, something to say. Whatever that point is I haven't a clue and, quite frankly, Calvino could have done it in about a page-and-a-half instead of this nonsense. On one level, there's the "story" itself which takes on unlikeable characters - the Reader, Ludmilla and her ultra-feminist sister. Truly miserable, unrealistic characters who you just want to slap and see disappear from the text. On the other level, there's the plain awful way the whole thing is written; I understand that some of that may be due to its being translated from Italian into English but it has the feel of text that was written about 100 years ago - stale, ungainly, slow, pompous and verbose. There's nothing exciting about this book at all - no change in pace or feel - just dead slow from beginning to end. I struggled and struggled with it, determined to finish it, but now I wonder why I bothered. It gets even worse towards the end - I actually felt breathless, desperate to feel the relief of the last page. Thankfully, relief came none too soon.
Rating: 
Summary: I agree....
Review: I have read several of Calvino's other works including Invisible Cities, Difficult Loves, The Baron in the Trees, and a collection of short stories. I enjoyed those very much. I do not consider difficulty, obtuseness, or confusion to equate to a higher literary plane. No matter how I tried, I could not enjoy this book. Isn't that what it's about?
Rating:
Summary: Hmmm...
Review: I want to like this book, I really do. I'd never read anything by Calvino before and bought this on the basis of the reviews and - mainly - the intriguing title. I browsed the first chapter in the book store (as Calvino describes!) and was intrigued, but then... gee, maybe it's just me, but did it get bogged down or what!? I've made a start on it two or three times. Each time I've picked it up with a tremendous sense of anticipation and each time I've got to about page 40 or so before putting it down with a terrible sense of disappointment. I feel it should be saying something to me, but isn't. What am I missing? I'll return to it again sometime, honest, but, until then, I get the horrible suspicion that it might be one of those books that just aren't meant for me. Still, I hope to get back to you in six months' time with better news (and more stars!).
Rating:
Summary: My favorite
Review: I don't even know what to say about this book. When I was reading it, I didn't want it to end. It has a little bit of everything; romance, drama, mystery, and comedy. But most of all, it is very intelligent. I have only read it once and I cannot wait to read it again when I get the chance. Please give it a try. It may be frustrating at many parts, but it is worth it.
Rating:
Summary: clever, frustrating and first-rating in my litteraryPanthéon
Review: First time I read "Se una notte d'inverno un viaggiatore", I found it so frustrating, but so enjoying too... The second time was three weeks ago, and it was even better. Long life to the Oulipo ! For these who understand french and who loved this novel, I must tell you about Georges Perec's "La Disparition" (hard for non-native, probably), "La Vie mode d'emploi", and for everybody, J.L. Borges, of course.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing...
Review: The culmination of Calvino's career. This will redefine narrative technique for you. Have fun and don't forget to breath once in a while as you get deeper into the novel.
|
