46 pages • 1 hour read
Italo CalvinoInvisible Cities
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1972A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Invisible Cities intertwines the fictional dialogue between Kublai Khan and Marco Polo with Polo's vivid descriptions of 55 fantastical cities he purportedly visited. Each city has a unique name but shares common themes like duality and paradox, reflecting virtues and decline. Polo's narratives, framed as thematic explorations, prompt Khan to question his imperialistic pursuits and the meaning behind his conquests.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino has been lauded for its poetic and imaginative prose, which intricately explores themes of memory, desire, and the human experience through fictional cityscapes. Some readers, however, find the non-linear, abstract narrative challenging and less engaging. Overall, the novel is celebrated for its philosophical depth and unique structure.
Who Should Read Invisible Cities?
Readers who relish poetic language, philosophical musings, and imaginative storytelling will savor Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities. Fans of Jorge Luis Borges' labyrinthine tales in Ficciones or the dreamy landscapes of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince will find a kindred spirit in Calvino's ethereal exploration of urban dreams.
RecommendedReading Age
16+yearsLexile Level
1290L