"If On a Winter's Ni...ght a Traveler" brought visions to my mind of a curling up next to the fireplace in a quilt with a good book while snow blows in high drifts around the house. I should have taken a clue from the fact that I live in the San Francisco Bay area. No snow, no cozy fire and NOT a book to read for recreation. I read the first 50 pages straight through and realized that this book wasn't going to fit in my vision. I read the next 25 pages with a stack of file cards for notes and lists, post it arrows to mark questions, quotes and words and a dictionary close by. I enjoyed the 25 pages but realized that making it through this book was going to take quite a bit of time and attention. Nothing wrong with that except that at this moment in my life, I have neither freely available. I plan to keep this book on the shelf in case some day I'm stuck with nothing else to read or I have the time and energy tackle it! For anyone considering reading this book; I strongly suggest that you read several reviews of the book so that you have a basic understanding of the format of the book. It may save you several hours of frustration! The format: There is a "main" story which is told in chapters 1,3,5,7,9,11 and 12. And then there's a chapter from 5 different books, which occupy chapters 2,4,6,8 and 10. Two people are trying to read "If on a Winter's Night a Traveler" but find they have the wrong book - five times. Like the couple, I have yet to find, "If On a Winter's Night a Traveler".
My favorite part of buying a used book is finding one that has been loved, taken care of, and slightly marked up. What are the thoughts in the previous readers mind? I love that the book, otherwise, was in lovely condition! Thank you!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is a great book that really challen...ges the notions of linearity that most books hold true. It can be frustrating and confusing at times, but at the end you'll have the satisfaction of having read something completely different from anything you had read before. I wouldn't focus too much on trying to understand the exact details of the plot and the characters and the actions, but more on the scheme that Calvino attempts to create with this book
Verified purchase: No
Interesting read
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
one of calvino's best. a very original, exc...ellent writer who's material can be read and reread over and over again. i highly recommend this book.