Hermit In Paris

America in the 50s and 60s viewed through the eyes of an Italian Communist.

Italo Calvino's collection of autobiographical essays, Hermit in Paris, has many intriguing essays: his soul-searching over Stalin, his portrait of Mussolini, the occasional soliloquy over a favorite town. A few of the more political essays, as well as the ones dealing with his peers, become tedious.

The highlight of the collection is of course the diary of his travels across the United States, especially his time in New York dealing with different publishers. This would make a fine standalone book, and is recommended for all who like the American travelogues of writers (e.g. Democracy in America, Air-Conditioned Nightmare).