The definitive edition of the cosmicomics, Italo Calvino’s short stories explore natural phenomena and the origins of the universe. The Complete Cosmicomics brings together all of these enchanting stories–including some never before translated–in one volume for the first time.

Italo Calvino’s beloved cosmicomics cross planets and traverse galaxies, speed up time or slow it down to the particles of an instant. Through the eyes of an ageless guide named Qfwfq, Calvino explores natural phenomena and tells the story of the origins of the universe. Poignant, fantastical, and wise, these thirty-four dazzling stories–collected here in one definitive anthology–relate complex scientific and mathematical concepts to our everyday world. They are an indelible (and unfailingly delightful) literary achievement.

Nimble and often hilarious … Trying to describe such a diverse and entertaining mix, I have to admit, just as Calvino does so often, that my words fail here, too. There’s no way I – or anyone, really – can muster enough of them to quite capture the magic of these stories … Read this book, please. – Colin Dwyer, NPR