Yes the idea of this novel is cute, but as with many ideas it ends up failing in execution. Simply this book is a tiresome bore to read (probably the longest 300 pages I ever had to endure). And no it is not just because it was totally devoid of plot; it was also void of energy, passion, excitement etc. This is a book that is fun to hear about but not fun to read. I do give credit to Calvino for his originality, but really a writer needs more than mere originality to stand on.