During the summer two years ago, I embarked on my first journey through Calvino's works, reading Invisible Cities while confined in a quarantine hotel.
Through Marco Polo's narratives, I wandered beyond the constraints of my room.
Recently, I delved into several of Calvino's short stories, and I remain captivated by his ability to infuse light into the darkest corners, offering hope amidst adversity.
Hegel's Aesthetics contains a passage that aptly describes Calvino's characters:
"Though the tragic hero appears tormented by fate, he displays a simple serenity, as if to say, 'It is what it is.' In this, the subject remains true to himself; he relinquishes what has been taken, yet his pursuit of purpose persists, undiminished by personal failure. Bound by fate's chains, one may lose his life but not his freedom. It is this steadfast composure that allows one to maintain and manifest calmness even during pain."
This reflection resonates deeply with the essence of Calvino's storytelling.
Published on March 2, 2022, on the NEXT New Generation WeChat public account
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