I've never read anything by Calvino before and I was sure I would like this book based on the reviews.I found the book very difficult. to read. Calvino uses a number of different narrative styles, and I often felt lost trying to figure out the story. I must have missed something as I the reader was told ten unrelated stories held together by the slenderest thread of a common theme.
This book is very different from any other novel I have encountered and perhaps needs to be read slowly over a period of time to be appreciated.