THE NONEXISTENT KNIGHT & THE CLOVEN VISCOUNT (246 pp.)−Italo Calvino−Random House ($3.95).
Knights have been a favorite target of parodists ever since they first stepped into their armor. But not even Don Quixote is quite so grotesque as the heroes of these two short novels. One has only half a body; the other has none at all. It is Italian Novelist Calvino's way of saying how empty are the ideals of chivalry, whether medieval or modern.
Agilulf, the Nonexistent Knight, is so perfect a knight that his body has turned entirely to armor. He cannot be wounded in battle,...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
