Hermit in Paris: Autobiographical Writings Paperback - 2004

First line

I do not think that those of us who - in the field of literature - are Turinese by adoption are very numerous.

From the jacket flap

From one of modern literature's most captivating and elusive masters comes a posthumous volume of thoughtful, elegant, and quick-witted autobiographical writings, all previously unpublished in English. Here is Italo Calvino paying homage to his literary influences and tracing the evolution of his signature style. Here are his reminiscences of Italy's antifascist resistance and the frenzy of politics and ideas of the postwar era.
The longest and most delightfully revealing section of the book is Calvino's diary of his travels in the United States in 1959 and 1960, which show him marveling at color TV, wrinkling his nose at the Beats, and reeling at the outpouring of racial hatred attending a civil rights demonstration in Alabama. Overflowing with insight and amusement, Hermit in Paris is an invaluable addition to the Calvino legacy.

Media reviews

“Surprising, tart, and distinctive, like [Calvino] himself.” – The Philadelphia Inquirer

“A book that any Calvino lover will want to purchase, pronto!” –The Seattle Times

“Distinguished by a sly philosophic humour. . . . a sensuous immediacy of detail and a droll wit. . . . a magnificent addition to the Planet Calvino.” – The Guardian

Citations

• New York Times, 08/22/2004, Page 20