A collection of seven Italian-themed science fiction and fantasy stories, these tales blend cutting-edge technology, art, mythology, and history—often set in Turin—while exploring themes of cultural identity, alternate realities, and the intersection of art and science. Written under the playful alter ego "Bruno Argento," the stories are marked by satirical humor, philosophical dialogues, and a distinctly European sensibility.

Reader Review Summary

This collection brings together seven Italian-themed science fiction and fantasy stories written by Bruce Sterling, often under the alter ego 'Bruno Argento.' The stories are set primarily in Turin and other parts of Italy, blending elements of speculative fiction, historical fantasy, and satire. The book includes an introduction by Neal Stephenson and an afterword by Dario Tonani, and features stories such as 'Kill the Moon,' 'Black Swan,' 'Elephant on Table,' 'Pilgrims of the Round World,' 'The Parthenopean Scalpel,' 'Esoteric City,' and 'Robot in Roses.' The collection is characterized by its focus on Italian culture, history, and mythology, often filtered through Sterling's playful narrative conceit that Argento is the 'real' author and Sterling the pseudonym. Several stories were originally published in Italian, and the book is presented as a love letter to Italy, especially Turin, with references to local history, politics, and art.

Readers appreciated the inventive blending of Italian culture with speculative fiction, noting the detailed and affectionate portrayal of Turin and its idiosyncrasies. The satirical and humorous tone, especially in stories like 'Esoteric City' and 'Kill the Moon,' was highlighted as a strength, as was the philosophical exploration of art and technology in 'Robot in Roses.' Some readers enjoyed the literary games and metafictional elements, such as the Bruno Argento persona and the playful references to Italian literary traditions. The inclusion of both science fiction and historical fantasy allowed for a diverse range of settings and themes, and the stories' engagement with Italian stereotypes and history was seen as both entertaining and thought-provoking by some.

A number of readers found the collection difficult to engage with, citing a sense of distance from the characters and a lack of emotional resonance. The heavy reliance on Italian cultural, historical, and political references left some readers feeling like outsiders, unable to fully appreciate the inside jokes or context. Several reviews mentioned that the stories often meandered or ended abruptly, with plots that felt either overly complex or unsatisfyingly simple. The dialogue-heavy, declamatory style was compared to dramatic plays and was sometimes seen as tiresome or mannered. Longer stories such as 'Pilgrims of the Round World' and 'Robot in Roses' were described as slow or overly philosophical, and some readers struggled to finish the book or found it less accessible than Sterling's earlier, more cyberpunk-oriented work.

The book received a mixed reception, with an average reader rating of 3.37 out of 5 from 114 ratings and 39 full reviews. While some readers were drawn to the experimental style and the deep immersion in Italian settings, others preferred Sterling's previous works or found the collection less compelling. The metafictional conceit of Bruno Argento and the question of whether the stories were originally written in Italian generated curiosity and occasional confusion. The collection is positioned as an exploration of Italian 'fantascienza' and is recommended more often to fans of Sterling or those interested in Italian culture than to general science fiction readers. The stories vary in genre, tone, and length, and the book includes illustrations and design elements that some readers noted as enhancing the European flavor of the collection.