Last Comes the Raven

Calvino's "Last Comes the Raven" is a collection of early stories that depict the beauty of the Italian countryside and seaside, as well as the ludicrousness of war. The stories are vivid, intense, and hyper-real, and reveal the hidden meaning beneath the surface of everyday life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Vintage Publishing

These early short stories are a captivating portrayal of the beauty of the Italian countryside and seaside, weaving tales that are both sumptuous and unnerving. Calvino's war-torn Italy is vividly portrayed, intense, and almost hyper-real. Within these stories, we witness a series of intriguing events, including a trio of greedy burglars who rob a pastry shop, a boy who offers a girl presents of toads and insects from his garden, and a wealthy family who invites a rustic goatherd to lunch, only to mock him. In each of these narratives, Calvino delves deep into the hidden meanings beneath the surface of everyday life and exposes the absurdity of war.

Several stories from Last Comes the Raven have previously been available in the collection Adam, One Afternoon. However, this new expanded collection includes several stories that have been newly translated by Ann Goldstein, making it an essential addition to Calvino's legacy.

Through his writing, Calvino invites us to explore the complexities of human nature, the nature of war, and the complexities of the human experience. His stories are filled with vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and thought-provoking themes, leaving a lasting impact on readers.

In Last Comes the Raven, we are given a glimpse into the mind of the man behind the magician. We witness his observations, his reflections, and his musings on the world around him. Calvino's writing is characterized by its elegance, its precision, and its ability to transport readers to different times and places.

Whether you are a fan of Calvino's work or are exploring his writings for the first time, Last Comes the Raven is a must-read. It is a collection that showcases the brilliance of Calvino's storytelling and his ability to capture the essence of the human condition. So, take a journey through Calvino's war-torn Italy, explore the hidden meanings beneath the surface of everyday life, and witness the absurdity of war through the eyes of the magician himself.

Weight: 186g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784878214