Wow, reading this was different from anything I had experienced before! I don’t think I’ve ever been so directly addressed in a book (except maybe in rambly chapters written by third graders on Wattpad a decade ago (ᵕ—ᴗ—)) and while it was slightly disorienting at first, it also felt thrilling. It made me get invested right from the first page!
I’ve genuinely never been so seen, and called out, as a reader. From finding the most comfortable reading position (I was curled up on the couch), to the lists upon lists of books I planned to read but haven’t (there’s titles on there from elementary school (╥‸╥)), but also the times the book describes “you” getting frustrated, impatient, etc. with the interruptions and getting to the end of the story. Because yes, I was almost pulling my hair out each time the stories changed!
(I will say, however, my enjoyment dulled quite a bit as the story progressed, especially into the latter half of it. I started feeling a disconnect between myself and the Reader. Like the lecture video described, it became very clear that the Reader is male. It was less apparent, or played less of a role to me, in the beginning, but as the story went on, it was very hard to ignore, what with his interactions with Ludmilla and the topics of the stories. As a result, I pulled back and started observing the character “the Reader” like I would in a normal novel, just a bit)
At the same time, the exasperation I felt each time the story changed right when it was getting juicy made me think more about my approach to reading. I’m someone who cannot read two books at once. When I start a story, I feel like I jump into the world and refuse to get out until I see the resolution. Even if I find myself not enjoying a book very much, I rarely DNF it either “( – ⌓ – ) Maybe part of it is sunk cost fallacy, but I think it’s moreso because I still want to know what happens and how it ends. I think I give myself the pressure to “get through it”, which this book resists completely. Without the satisfaction of a full ending, I’m left to wonder what it means to read. Once again, this class has made me feel discomfort in a new way （´∇｀”）
I’m not sure if I have an answer I’m satisfied with yet. Maybe it’s that the desire to find out the endings shouldn’t need to be resolved, and that the interruptions, the curiosity, and resulting frustrations are a core part of the reading experience itself? Maybe it’s being willing to be engaged and invested in a story without the guarantee of an answer??
Regrettably, I read this on my iPad (which feels kinda ironic) and I’m now wishing I bought the physical copy. I think I’ll go get one and reread it over the summer! Do you think a reread of this book will impact your experience with it? Perhaps there’s some aspect you now wish to focus on more?
I think this book will stay with me for quite a while! I’m super excited to hear about everyone’s experiences with it ৻( •̀ ᗜ •́ ৻)
See you on Wednesday!
Julie ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ
8 replies on “Calvino – what does being a reader mean??”
“I’m not sure if I have an answer I’m satisfied with yet.” Which makes me wonder… what’s more frustrating? Not having an ending at all, or having one we don’t like? Both are uncomfortable feelings, of course, but I’m thinking about Zack Snyder fans who NEED the continuation of his DC stories versus Game of Thrones fans who hated the series finale, a kind of “fan fiction” not from the “true” author of the saga. Excuse the digression!
Hi Julie! omg I was gonna do the exact same thing as you – after reading this book through pdf I made it a decision I need to get a physical copy and go through it again. idk I feel like it’ll be different? It’s just one of those books you need in your hand 🙂
Hi Julie, I really like the point you make “I’ve genuinely never been so seen, and called out, as a reader”. LOL it is so connected! As I think for most of the time, authors write their books to express themselves. They might think of the readers if they want the book to be the “bestseller”, but definitely not about the gesture, or the place the readers will be reading the book.
Julie, loved reading your post! I absolutely agree with you I can’t read 2 books at once as well, I just NEED to finish it. I think it’s definitely that desire to reach endings and know what happens and how it works out – in a way reflects life right?!
Julie, loved reading your post! I absolutely agree with you I can’t read 2 books at once as well, I just NEED to finish it. I think it’s definitely that desire to reach endings and know what happens and how it works out – in a way reflects life right?!
Hi Julie,
Much like you, I also enjoyed being recognized and adressed as a reader within the story. The MC being male was something I had not expected as I went into this book, though I suppose it adds something to the story, and to our perception of Calvino himself.
I will say, I read the book using a physical copy, and it surely made the experience much more impactful. I will also be giving this book another try this summer, and would love to hear your thoughts!
Great blog!
Hi Julie! I totally relate to the frustration of the stories constantly restarting right when they got interesting. Personally, it really made me reflect on how much I read just to reach the ending. I also wonder if a reread would feel different now that we know interruptions are the whole point, and we might focus more on the experience of reading rather than the resolution.
I really enjoyed reading your reflection. I also felt surprised by how directly the book addressed the reader, and it definitely made the experience feel more immersive at first. Like you, I found the constant interruptions between stories a bit frustrating, especially when things were getting interesting. It really made me think about how much I rely on closure when reading.