Italo Calvino

Date of Birth: October 15, 1923

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: September 19, 1985

Biography

Italo Calvino was an Italian writer born on October 15, 1923, in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba. He is known for his imaginative and intricate storytelling that has influenced readers and writers worldwide. Calvino spent his early years in Italy, where he developed a deep interest in literature and the arts. His literary career began after World War II, during which he was actively involved in the Italian Resistance against the Nazis. Calvino’s first novel, “The Path to the Nest of Spiders” (1947), drew from his wartime experiences and established him as a significant voice in Italian literature. Over the years, he experimented with various literary styles, including realism, fantasy, and science fiction. Among his most famous works are “Invisible Cities” (1972), “If on a winter’s night a traveler” (1979), and “Cosmicomics” (1965). Calvino’s writing often explores themes of imagination, reality, and the complexities of human experience. In addition to his novels and short stories, Calvino wrote essays and journalistic pieces for various Italian periodicals. His contributions to literature earned him several prestigious awards, including the Premio Feltrinelli and the Legion of Honour from France. Calvino passed away on September 19, 1985, in Siena, Italy, leaving behind a rich legacy of literary innovation and creativity.

5 Interesting Facts about Italo Calvino

1. Italo Calvino was born in Cuba but moved to Italy at a young age.

2. He joined the Italian Resistance during World War II and fought against the Nazis.

3. His novel “Invisible Cities” has been translated into numerous languages and is considered a masterpiece of modern literature.

4. Calvino was a member of the Oulipo (Ouvroir de Littérature Potentielle), a group of writers and mathematicians who sought to create new literary forms.

5. He declined the prestigious Premio Strega award in 1957, stating that he did not want his work to be commercialized.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Italo Calvino

1. “A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.”

2. “The more enlightened our houses are, the more their walls ooze ghosts.”

3. “The ultimate meaning to which all stories refer has two faces: the continuity of life, the inevitability of death.”

4. “Reading is going toward something that is about to be, and no one yet knows what it will be.”

5. “The universe is a collection of stories, not of atoms.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Italo Calvino’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, but his literary works continue to generate significant revenue through book sales and translations worldwide.

Children

Italo Calvino had one daughter, Giovanna Calvino, who was born in 1965. Giovanna is a writer and translator, following in her father’s literary footsteps.