In Invisible Cities Marco Polo conjures up cities of magical times for his host, the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan, but gradually it becomes clear that he is actually describing one city: Venice. As Gore Vidal wrote 'Of all tasks, describing the contents of a book is the most difficult and in the case of a marvelous invention like Invisible Cities, perfectly irrelevant.'
Italo Calvino
Italo Calvino (1923-1985) was an Italian writer known for his experimental and imaginative works that blurred the lines between fantasy and reality. His most notable works include "Invisible Cities," "If on a winter's night a traveler," and "Cosmicomics." Calvino's writing style was characterized by its playful and innovative approach to storytelling, often incorporating elements of metafiction and magical realism. He is considered a key figure in the literary genre of postmodernism, influencing authors such as Umberto Eco and Salman Rushdie. "Invisible Cities" is widely regarded as his most famous work, exploring themes of memory, imagination, and the nature of storytelling. Calvino's contributions to literature have cemented his legacy as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.
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