Books Quote by Italo Calvino
““The novel begins in a railway station, a locomotive huffs, steam from a piston covers the opening of the chapter, a cloud of smoke hides part of the first paragraph.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino, 1972
The opening uses vivid railway imagery to set a tone of motion and mystery, hinting at journeys both physical and metaphorical.
In simple terms: A train scene opens the story, creating atmosphere.
Key Takeaway
Notice how setting can foreshadow themes.
Themes
setting
motion
atmosphere
journey
Mood
curious
reflective
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- travel writing
- city planning
- creative brainstorming
Key Concepts
symbolism
urban metaphor
narrative technique
Questions to Reflect On
- What emotions does the steam evoke?
- How does the setting reflect inner states?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may limit readers seeking literal description.
![“They [human lives] are composed like music. Guided by his sense of beauty, an individual transforms a fortuitious occurrence (Beethoven’s music, death under a train) into a motif, which then assumes a permanent place in the composition of the individual’s life. Anna could have chosen another way…” quote by Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a1e/milan-kundera-120_beauty_they-human-lives-are-composed-like-music_267276.jpg)
