Pass on a Winter's Night
Written: Jun 05 '00
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Unique Technique
Cons: Tired plot
|
|
|
| evileye2's Full Review: Calvino, Italo |
Calvino's "If on a Winter's Night a Traveler" came highly recommended to me, an avid reader, writer, and linguist. But, after reading it, I have concluded that readers are mistaking novelty and skewed technique for overall success.
The method of the novel is established by the first two chapters. Calvino shows that he is very aware of his reader by addressing the reader in the second person and eventually placing the reader in the action of the plot. The novel clearly states its devise a few chapters in. It is basically ten short subplots, pulled from fictitious novels, that are cultivated for exactly a chapter and then released. Calvino concludes each excerpt with a "discovery" type chapter in which you, the reader, go on a hunt for the rest of the novel you thought you were reading, only to come upon an entirely new novel.
It raises interesting ideas about reading and publishing, translation and genres. Still, the point is driven into the ground. I found that I was less and less interested in the novel as I got farther into it - the novel being the entirety of the work titled "If on a Winter's Night a Traveler," not the chapter of the same name.
Anyone interested in new plot devices or striving for direct attention from the book you are reading, take a chance on "If on a Winter's Night a traveler." However, you would be better off taking an hour in a book store, reading the first few chapters, and then setting it down.
I felt compelled to write this review as I had only heard praise for the book. Perhaps, you will be more critical.
Recommended:
No
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
evileye2
|
|
Location: NYC
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 1 member
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.