This work of fiction is not just a story, it’s a rich conversation and a surreal travelogue of the most fantastical cities.
Invisible Cities, the 1972 novel by writer Italo Calvino (translated by William Weaver) is said to be one of his most cherished works. This work of fiction is not just a story, it’s a rich conversation between Kublai Khan, the Mongol emperor, and Marco Polo, the Venetian traveler. The book is a vivid travelogue of the most fantastical cities Marco Polo visited on his travels across the globe. I was introduced to this book in an Urban History class in grad school by Prof. Sloane. His revered account of the book made me want to instantly read it. So when I saw Invisible Cities at a second-hand bookstore, I had to pick it up! Based on Prof. Sloane’s account, I expected to gain knowledge of cities, but I soon realized that I was in for a roller-coaster ride. Confused by reading just a few pages, I pondered what the style of narrating cities and the different themes signified!
“...the cities are the real protagonists. These cities are layered characters that evoke the feelings audiences have for heroes and villains.”
As I patiently continued reading, the world of Marco Polo started unfolding slowly. Italo Calvino captures the essence of each city with details that make these absurd and fictional cities seem real. And although these places are far-fetched from reality, they have an odd sense of familiarity and comfort, almost as if the reader has been to them. The dense and colorful narratives make me keep going back to this book time and again, as there is always something new to discover.
Even though the entire book is a conversation between Khan and Polo, the cities are the real protagonists. These cities are layered characters that evoke the feelings audiences have for heroes and villains. Cities are categorized into eleven different themes: cities and memory, cities and desire, cities and designs, cities and the dead, cities, and the sky, trading cities, hidden cities. Although each city falls in one theme, it often deceptively flows into another. For instance, while describing the city of Isidora, the author weaves scenes of buildings with perfect music, beautiful women strutting the streets, and streets brimming with activities. All these desires that transpired at a young age are mere memories of an old man sitting in the city square. The account of Isidora ends with “Desires are already memories” signifying a journey from desire to memory effortlessly.
“...do all cities carry numerous cities within!? As soon as I asked myself if one ever truly knows a place even after spending their entire lives there, I thought of Ahmedabad.”
The surreal places described in the book appear beautiful, miserable, and occasionally ghastly, mirroring the realities of our world. One such city is Anastasia, a city of desire. Anastasia is built along concentric canals, with kites flying in the sky, desires of trading quartz, delectable food, and gorgeous women bathing in the ponds. But this lucrative city is also a treacherous place that makes inhabitants slave away to fuel the machinery of desires. Hence, Anastasia traps the inhabitants in its own temptations. This reminded me instantly of the US - land of the free and home of the brave. And also the land of aspirations. The country projects an image of opportunity, safety, and comfort. There is a constant hustle that continues to spin and support this image, trapping many in a sense of false fulfillment.
The book captures much more than the Khan-Polo dynamic; it also sheds light on Khan’s failing kingdom and his disconnection with the vast kingdom. At one point, readers also understand that the accounts of all different cities are in fact, describing just one city - Venice. This posed another thought in my head - do all cities carry numerous cities within!? As soon as I asked myself if one ever truly knows a place even after spending their entire lives there, I thought of Ahmedabad. Like many cities, Ahmedabad is a highly segregated city, each area poses as if it belonged to a different Ahmedabad. For instance, Walled City, Naroda, Bodakdev are three different areas with three distinct characteristics. Walled City transports one to the 15th century; its densely packed wooden houses, narrow streets, chowks with bird feeders, and the rich civic realm proudly hold on to the traditions. Naroda, a dusty industrial area northeast of Ahmedabad, often sparks memories of communal riots and of the price Ahmedabad paid for its prosperity. Bodakdev is an affluent area in western Ahmedabad with some of the best restaurants, offices, and high-income residential areas. I am sure with the flair of Italo Calvino’s writing, these could be three different and unique cities. I wondered if there were a hundred more cities within Ahmedabad waiting for me to discover them.
“The cities mentioned in this theme compelled me to reflect on the role of urban planners and policymakers. We plan to resolve issues, aiming for a perfect city but sometimes that leads to disastrous results.”
One of my favourite themes in the books is ‘Cities and the Sky.’ These terrestrial cities have a complex relationship and interdependence with the celestial bodies. Let’s talk about Perinthia! It’s the foundation is laid from careful calculations by astronomers using the stars and the sky as a blueprint, to “reflect harmony of the firmament; nature's reason and the gods' benevolence would shape the inhabitants' destinies.” Yet people suffered from misery, diseases, and acute abnormalities, leaving the astronomers perplexed. They questioned whether their calculations were wrong or if Gods wanted to create this “city of monsters.” The cities mentioned in this theme compelled me to reflect on the role of urban planners and policymakers. We plan to resolve issues, aiming for a perfect city but sometimes that leads to disastrous results. I instantly recalled plans and policies in history that left a deep impact for generations, like the red-lining laws, the freeway networks that disrupted communities, and rehabilitation programs. I wonder, if like the astronomers in Perinthia, do we more often than not, make mistakes that push people and places further into misery? Or are we too busy adapting to the development push by market forces like “will of God”? Is there any hope to do better?
Final verdict - please read this book! It is a short read and if you like it, I’m confident you will keep going back to this book. Like me, if you find it a bit confusing in the beginning, don’t fret and continue, the good stuff awaits you on the other side! If you can, let go of trying to completely understand this book and it will come to you. This book has inspired numerous artists, writers, architects, designers, and planners, but honestly, there’s something for everyone to take away. In case you still hate it, it’s a short read, so no harm!
To explore more perspectives on Invisible Cities, check out the following links!
A real book review: NYT Book Review
Another perspective: NPR Book Review
Amazing Artwork: Art Inspired by Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities
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