NYRB Classics discussion

Our September book club choice is:

The Singularity by Dino Buzzati and translated by Anne Milano Appel


In this prophetic allegory about artificial intelligence by a renowned figure of twentieth-century Italian literature, a modest university professor becomes involved in a remote and enigmatic project in the middle of the Cold War.

At the beginning of Dino Buzzati’s The Singularity , Ermanno Ismani, an unassuming university professor, is summoned by the minister of defense to accept a two-year, top-secret mission at a mysterious research center, isolated from the world among forests, plunging cliffs, and high mountains. What’s he supposed to do there? Not clear. How long will he be there? No saying.

Still, Ismani takes the mystifying job and, accompanied by his no-nonsense wife, Elisa, heads to the so-called Experimental Camp of Military Zone 36, wondering whether, in the midst of the Cold War, it’s some sort of nuclear project he’s been assigned to. But no, the colleagues the couple meets on arrival assure them, it’s nothing like that. It’s much, much more powerful.

At the center of the research complex is strange, shining, at times murmurous, white wall. Behind it, a deep gorge drops away, full of wires and radio towers and mobile sensors and a host of eccentric structures. A question begins to Could this be the shape of consciousness itself? And if so, whose?

Buzzati's novella of 1960, a pioneering work of Italian science fiction, is published here in a brisk new translation by Anne Milano Appel. In it, Buzzati explores his favorite themes of love and longing while offering a startlingly prescient parable of artificial intelligence.

This topic will be for the discussion of the novel and if you have not yet read the novel be wary because spoilers may be included in the discussion.

Super! Starting today.

Reviews:

https://www.complete-review.com/revie...

https://www.clereviewofbooks.com/writ...

Homage to Dino Buzatti video:
https://youtu.be/SQOVMx0ZuLo

I finished this today. Despite a feeling of datedness and some pulpy gimmicks and plot elements that feel a little stale or awkward now, the the actual writing in this is impressive. I most enjoyed Buzzati's execution of the buildup before the reveal and his skill with the patient development of that left me feeling that developments in the last 40 pages were rushed, but this was an entertaining read for me. The wonderful cover is from a panel in Buzzati's graphic novel, Poema a fumetti also available from NYRB as Poem Strip. I have not seen nor read it but the cover worked for me. I did drop a star because the book lacked no introduction or other prefatory material which I feel is one of the reasons I buy NYRB books.

Sam wrote: "I finished this today. Despite a feeling of datedness and some pulpy gimmicks and plot elements that feel a little stale or awkward now, the the actual writing in this is impressive. I most enjoyed..."

I just finished this and agree that there was a lot of buildup and then the actual plot seemed a bit hurried towards the end. I feel like a lot more could've been done with this concept and I enjoyed the book although the obsessive focus on Laura seemed pretty unbelievable given the huge budget and government focus on the project. I also really liked the cover art and I had never heard of the author so it was interesting to read this.