The Obscure Reading Group discussion

Alas, GR limits titles of folders to 32 characters, and Italo Calvino's title is apparently too much for such stringent rules. Thus, the truncated title with my apologies.

In any event, anyone who wants to talk up Calvino or this book while avoiding spoilers is welcome to discuss such topics here.

Me, I've read two Calvino books but not this one. The most memorable was about a boy who climbs a tree to live in it but then never comes down. I mean ever.

Ah, Calvino. You expand the brain!

Huge Calvino fan too. Baron in the Trees, Ken, yes! A beautiful book. I've read this one too but am looking forward to the discussions all the same. Enjoy!

Matthew wrote: "Huge Calvino fan too. Baron in the Trees, Ken, yes! A beautiful book. I've read this one too but am looking forward to the discussions all the same. Enjoy!"

Glad you're on board for a reread, Matthew!

What an excellent choice! I can see how it will be brain-expanding as Ken says. I tried to read this once, but needed help, and this is just the group to get me through it. I think we're in for a fun and enlightening discussion.

Hmmm, this will be my first Calvino. No place better to read and understand his writings, than with this group.

I'm with Kathleen, tried to read it once and got bogged down. We'll see how it goes.

“But then you go on and you realize that the book is readable nevertheless, independently of what you expected of the author, it’s the book in itself that arouses your curiosity; in fact, on sober reflection, you prefer it this way, confronting something and not quite knowing yet what it is.”

— If on a winter's night a traveler by Italo Calvino
https://a.co/fDxZBqN

Sounds like we are in for an interesting ride. This is the last sentence of the prologue. I don’t usually read them, but this was captivating.

I had to buy the kindle version. The two library systems available to me does not have an edition of this book. These libraries suck. They have never carried any of the books we read here, unless it is well known. I don’t have access to the library system near here . Of course they have 5 copies. Grrrr......

Well, this one will certainly be worth an in-depth discussion! Sounds like something to avoid in the wee hours of the day!!

Carol wrote: "“But then you go on and you realize that the book is readable nevertheless, independently of what you expected of the author, it’s the book in itself that arouses your curiosity; in fact, on sober ..."

I'm lucky in this case, as there are multiple copies in Maine's interlibrary loan system. I'll probably pick up the Everyman's Library copy, but if anyone knows anything about translations that are notable, don't be shy about saying so!

Good to see so many people are game to try this. I don't expect everyone who voted (38 -- a record!) to do so, but still, it doesn't take many waves to get out there and hang ten!

P.S. I added all of the other nominees to the thread dedicated to books that did not win but are worthy for individual exploring (or, as happened this time, for renominating in the future). Check it out. Lots of good titles. Thanks again to those who put so much thought into them!

Is inter-library loan any use for you, Carol?

I have this on kindle already, which I'd completely forgotten about! Is this a sign perhaps? So many of my GR friends seemed to read it a few years ago. It looks quite demanding, but I'll try to fit it in if I can :)

Bionic Jean wrote: "Is inter-library loan any use for you, Carol?

I have this on kindle already, which I'd completely forgotten about! Is this a sign perhaps? So many of my GR friends seemed to read it a few years a..."

I thought a few titles this round would prove demanding. Merrill's book-lengthed poem, for instance, and certainly Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra (I am always drawn in by philosophy, then sorely challenged).

Still, together we will prove a force. Calvino would be proud. Would? I think he's past tense, anyway.

I purchased a used copy on eBay this morning rather than deal with potential library unavailability or renewals. It cost me less that $5.00. I am not picky as long as all the words are there!

Ken wrote: "I am always drawn in by philosophy, then sorely challenged..."

Exactly :D

Bionic Jean wrote: "Is inter-library loan any use for you, Carol?

I have this on kindle already, which I'd completely forgotten about! Is this a sign perhaps? So many of my GR friends seemed to read it a few years a..."

We cannot get books from another county. We have a county system and a city system , neither one carries it. I just downloaded the kindle version and the audible, so I can switch back and forth.

Ken wrote: "Bionic Jean wrote: "Is inter-library loan any use for you, Carol?

I have this on kindle already, which I'd completely forgotten about! Is this a sign perhaps? So many of my GR friends seemed to r..."

Yeah he is since 1985.
I started it already. Soooooo is all I got to say is it is proving to be interesting writing technique. But he warns us in the prologue. Lol

Carol wrote: "We cannot get books from another county ..."

Wow I'm sorry to hear that. I'm really lucky then, as I am (for various reasons) allowed to join 3 different counties' libraries, all with many branches, and all of whom are then in different consortiums, affiliated with yet more counties! If I can't get a specific book from any of these, then inter-library loan can approach any library in Great Britain - and abroad - but that costs a bit more. Most of this is free for me.

I am on board for Calvino, as I have never read him before. He sounds a bit Borgesian, from my briefest of reading. On another front, I am a librarian in real life, and am hearing your complaints about libraries not holding titles. Rest assured, that your libraries WOULD have held this particular Calvino, but for whatever reason (generally high usage and item falling apart and not readable anymore) it would have been weeded and not replaced. Bad, but in line with many ludicrous collection development policies. My local public library will not purchase anything older than ten years - this is written in their CDP. (I’m hearing your complaints already and we’re on the same page.) I was forced to close my own physical library last year (Commonwealth Department, so different to public), a very low point in my career. Library closures and purchasing restrictions have been happening all over the world for the last decade. As we move more and more online (read: DIY and cheap), we lose our physical libraries and librarians (read: loss of great service and not that expensive, anyway). Sorry for going so off page, I am looking forward to the Calvino which I will purchase on Book Dep!

Carol wrote: "Bionic Jean wrote: "Is inter-library loan any use for you, Carol?

I have this on kindle already, which I'd completely forgotten about! Is this a sign perhaps? So many of my GR friends seemed to r..."


I don't even know how to use the Audible and downloadable features at the library. Not sure if I can access any book in the State of Maine like I can with physical books but probably not.

Maybe I'll buy a used copy after all.

Nick wrote: "I am on board for Calvino, as I have never read him before. He sounds a bit Borgesian, from my briefest of reading. On another front, I am a librarian in real life, and am hearing your complaints a..."

Libraries are the cornerstone of any town. It used to bother me no end seeing towns spend BIG BUCKS on athletic fields, stands, concession areas, etc., while their old and small library buildings fell apart.

Um, the mind first. Then the body.

Nick wrote: "I am on board for Calvino, as I have never read him before. He sounds a bit Borgesian, from my briefest of reading. On another front, I am a librarian in real life, and am hearing your complaints a..."

This is tragic, Nick. I appreciate you sharing the info. I'd suspected they weren't replacing old books. I've made several donations in honor of family members who have passed away--thinking I could purchase fantastic books for the library in their honor. But I had to choose from a list, mostly of new books. So I couldn't even give them a classic. :-(

Thank you for being a librarian. I have utmost respect for the profession, and a love for all those who have and are still trying to hold libraries together.

Not quite time to start memorizing, like in Farenheit 451, but the day may come!

Thank you for that kind comment, Kathleen! I have worked in libraries since 1986, as a library assistant, the privates of the library world. So many changes since then. Some form of public library will always be there, i can see a centralisation process (think: a warehouse of lesser read hardcopy, which is really already the case) and most lending being ebooks. Inter-library loan for the rest. It’s so much about data and proving usefulness to management, who only see libraries as a cost to be reduced. Staffing is the big cost, of course, where savings can be made. So interesting about the donation situation, Kathleen, public libraries seem to like the new over the classic. I remember donating a hardback copy of The Oxford Dictionary of Canadian Authors, only to see it on the for sale stand a year or two later!

And yes, Ken, libraries are the cornerstone of our society. We are all converts here, I would think. On another note - my local library has this Calvino ON SHELF, so all is not lost and there is flexibility in their CDP, thank heavens. 😀

My local library has it on the shelf, too, and also kindled via the OverDrive app, or Libby. Decided to check out both, best of both worlds.

Want to mention, too, that the Whale book was not my nomination but I got curious about it when I found out about the title change. Then I discovered the author of that one is active on Twitter so I dm’d him to ask if anything else changed besides the title and cover art.

Nope, he said. Then when I told him it was nominated up against Zola, Nietzsche, Balzac and more, for our obscure book group, he offered to zoom with the group for discussion if we read it.

Just an idea: maybe some of us could take him up on that offer, after Calvino and before the next round of nominations. Sort of a one-off experience? Anyone interested in that?

Sorry; maybe the part of that message about the Whale book and Mr. Ironmonger should have been moved to a different threaded message -- like, "between books" or something. Ken, should I restate it there?

This will be my first Calvino, too, although I think i have a novella of his upstairs. Looking forward to it. I hear good things.

I have wanted to read this Calvino book for some time and now I have the perfect situation to do so. With this group, I will have all the support I might need if there are bumps in that road. When I hear a book is “Borgesian”, I get nervous. I never finished Borges’ Fictiones; it defeated me. I hope to try it again someday but who knows when.

I have a copy of this book but have to find it. For searching for used books, one site I have found ver helpful is bookfinder.com . It looks for books (old, new, hard bound or paper) at multiple online sites and provides lists of them by prices, showing shipping fees if applicable, etc. It’s a handy way to check multiple good online sources at one time.

Yvonne wrote: "Sorry; maybe the part of that message about the Whale book and Mr. Ironmonger should have been moved to a different threaded message -- like, "between books" or something. Ken, should I restate it ..."

It's fine, Yvonne. I do think, however, that most any living author (unless wicked famous and established) would jump at the chance to be part of a book discussion about his/her book.

That said, I had a bad online experience with such an event years ago. The author's skin proved thinner than, brooking not even the slightest negative response and virtually rolling his eyes whenever a poster asked a question. Meaning: Speaking for myself only, I would not venture down that path quickly again.

Sue wrote: "I have wanted to read this Calvino book for some time and now I have the perfect situation to do so. With this group, I will have all the support I might need if there are bumps in that road. When ..."

Danielle wrote: "This will be my first Calvino, too, although I think i have a novella of his upstairs. Looking forward to it. I hear good things."


Great, Danielle & Sue. Good luck finding your hidden Calvino's. And thanks for that bookfinder lead, Sue!

This sounds exciting. I loved Invisible Cities and the Baron in the Trees. Look forward in discussing this book with a group.

Okay, Ken; will let that idea go. On to Calvino!

Tracey wrote: "This sounds exciting. I loved Invisible Cities and the Baron in the Trees. Look forward in discussing this book with a group."

Glad you'll be joining us, Tracey!

Did someone in this group say Calvino had not written any thing new for a long period of time? His publisher gave him an ultimatum that a book was due. So he submitted all the story lines he had started and never finished. Publisher was upset because it wasn’t a novel . So he strung the story lines together and said it was post modernistic.

From the reviews I am reading this sounds about right. So ladies and gentlemen strap yourselves in it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
Hey who needs Disneyland when we have Calvino!

If there are any gamers out there, I found this. Think they have to give any credits for the title?
https://laurahunt.itch.io/if-on-a-win...

Ginny wrote: "If there are any gamers out there, I found this. Think they have to give any credits for the title?
https://laurahunt.itch.io/if-on-a-win...

"

Interesting! I hope there's a connection -- as in a software developer who read Calvino's book and then got more specific with the numbers! My son is a big-time gamer. Me, not so much. OK. Not at all.

The book just arrived. I peeked at the first page. I told myself I’ll only read a sentence or two. Just kinda feel it out...

I’m trapped.

Captured.

The book lays next to me now, it’s cover slightly upturned, calling: is it June yet?

I had the same experience yesterday when mine arrived. Fortunately for me, I am already reading five books so I didn't give in to the siren call of our selection. I do have a great urge to read my current five very quickly.

I try to hold off till the last week of the month because I know I only have to read around 1/2 for Week #1's discussion and I want it to be fresh. (My brain = somewhat stale.)

These days I am reading so slow. Some times I will re read a passage many times. I downloaded the audible also, so it is easier for me. While listening I also read the passages.

I’m reading multiple books too but I have a feeling that may not work as well with Calvino.

I posted the reading schedule for June, deciding the book was too small to break into three.

Rather, I went with breaking it in half at around 130 pp. a week. I think we're all up for it, but if that seems unreasonable to a majority of y'all, give a shout.

Fine by me.

My first reading of any Calvino book, this book has already captured my attention and delighted me. I'm only in chapter two! Various times I've thought, "Aha! Such play on words and storytelling remind me of Cervantes' self-professed 'verses and reverses' and sly humor."

I'll pay attention, yes, and return often to these clever words. I wish only that I knew Italian (admittedly a frequently recurring longing) in order to catch more nuances in the original language.

After the intensities upon challenges amid the fog of this past year, I find this refreshing. Genuine thanks to the person who nominated this. Fine suggestion!

Uzzi Tuzzi. Lol you will understand later. It cracks me up every time I see it.

Don't look now but the discussion starts in two weeks. I hope everyone's managed to find a copy of Calvino's book. I plan to start reading on the 24th or 25th.

I tried this once before and just couldn't concentrate...so, I'm going to try it again. Crossing fingers, because I'm thinking this one is strange.

If we hold hands and whistle in the dark, I think we'll get through. It may be value-added, or it may be fellow readers receptive to griping, but we won't know till we get there.

I'm looking forward to the fun!

Haha! I'm in the same boat, Sara. But Ken, you're making me look forward to it, no matter what!

I found it fun to read. Initially, I was a bit nervous after having missed out on the last discussion: I took notes dutifully at first, realized that a lot of mischievous humor was to be expected, so read a bit at a time and laughed without worrying too much. Nope - no commentary other than that; I don't want to risk giving any spoilers.

Yes, I wouldn't have tackled it alone again, but with this group it is bound to be good for a laugh--and who knows, maybe I will love it this go around.

Well my book was easily found, which is hopefully a good omen, and I plan to begin next weekend. So many books coming up but this is one I’ve wanted to read for a long time. Should be an interesting ride.

Fasten your seat belts! (Here imagines the sound of a dozen or so *clicks*.)