As a fan of Calvino I will say that If on a Winter’s Night a Traveller is somewhat more enjoyable after you've read a bunch of other Calvino, since it has a somewhat cheeky, self-referential feel and the more you sympathize with the author the more you may like it.

Numbers in the Dark is very good as a place to start.

▲

atombender 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I absolutely loved Invisible Cities, but I couldn't get more than a couple of chapters into If on a Winter's Night. The first pages are very evocative, but it gets really repetitive with nothing to "progress" the "plot".

My impression (possibly mistaken) is that it's a product of its time that was innovative, but hasn't aged that well. More a fun puzzle box than something with emotional weight.

Given the above, what other Calvino work might appeal more to someone like me?

▲

SubGenius 13 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Marcovaldo, Cosmicomics, Difficult Loves are my favorite. Baron in the Trees too.

I'd definitely suggest starting with these. His short story work is beautiful.

	▲	amarcheschi 6 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		In italian high schools you learn to hate a lot of what you do, just because you're a student and can't be bothered to enjoy an analysis of some themes - then when you're a bit older you start to appreciate what you hated much more
	▲	pimeys 10 hours ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		The Baron in the Trees is mentioned so rarely always, but it was one of the most influential books of my youth. A fantastic read.
	▲	mcphage 3 hours ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		Invisible Cities is my absolute favorite of his short stories.
	▲	kgwgk 5 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		> Cosmicomics Damn Qfwfq.