We have read several different genres of literature this semester, including non-fiction, a Shakespearean tragedy, and poetry of different kinds. How does Invisible Cities fit into conventional conceptions of genre? Clearly it is fiction, but is it a novel? A collection of stories? Is it historical fiction? Fantasy? Something else?
The sections describing the interactions and conversations between Marco Polo and Kublai Khan are key to understanding how to read Invisible Cities. Calvino in effect uses these sections to help us make sense of the book as a whole. Examine any of these sections and consider what they tell us about the book and about the relationship between authors and readers generally.
Examine the book’s organization. Calvino clearly is not employing a chronological structure here — note that the first city description begins with “Leaving there” without ever identifying where there is. But if you examine the book closely (looking at the table of contents helps) you can discern a clear and intricate structure. What effects does this structure have on the book and on the reader?
The cities in Invisible Cities all have allegorical meaning; indeed, they may be nothing but allegories. Given the form of the book, here is an alternative for your post: pick any city described in the book, explain why it intrigues you, and speculate about what point Calvino is making by describing it.