In 'Invisible Cities', Italo Calvino weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of imagination through the eyes of the explorer Marco Polo. He describes a series of fantastical cities, each reflecting different facets of human experience, culture, and emotion. As he speaks to the emperor Kublai Khan, Polo's vivid tales blur the lines between reality and dreams. The cities, both enchanting and haunting, challenge our perceptions of what a city can be. Through this poetic narrative, Calvino invites readers to explore the invisible connections that bind us all.
By Italo Calvino
Published: 1978
"The city of dreams is not one that is searched for; it is the one that remains hidden behind the noise of everyday life, where every corner whispers mysteries, and each street holds stories waiting to be told."
In Kublai Khan's garden, at sunset, the young Marco Polo diverts the aged emperor from his obsession with the impending end of his empire with tales of countless cities past, present, and future.
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“The city of dreams is not one that is searched for; it is the one that remains hidden behind the noise of everyday life, where every corner whispers mysteries, and each street holds stories waiting to be told.”
Invisible Cities
By Italo Calvino
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Italo Calvino (1923-1985) was an Italian novelist and short story writer, celebrated for his imaginative storytelling and innovative narrative techniques. His works often blend elements of fantasy, surrealism, and metafiction, challenging traditional notions of reality and fiction. Notable works include 'Invisible Cities,' a poetic exploration of imagination and memory, 'If on a Winter's Night a Traveler,' a groundbreaking novel about the act of reading, and 'The Baron in the Trees,' a whimsical tale about a young nobleman who decides to live in the trees. Calvino's writing style is characterized by clever wordplay, philosophical depth, and a keen awareness of the reader's experience.
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