Canti's novel is one of those works that demands your full attention, but rewards you with layers of meaning if you approach it right. The first time I picked it up, I tried reading it straight through like a typical book, but quickly realized that wasn’t working—the prose is too dense, too poetic. Instead, I found it helpful to treat each chapter like its own little universe, savoring the language and letting the imagery sink in before moving forward. I’d often pause to jot down notes or reread passages aloud, just to feel the rhythm of
the words.
Another thing that helped was researching the cultural and philosophical references sprinkled throughout. Canti doesn’t spoon-feed you; he expects you to meet him halfway. I kept my phone nearby to look up obscure allusions, and it made the experience way richer. Also, don’t rush. This isn’t a book to finish in a weekend. Let it simmer in your mind between readings—sometimes, the themes only clicked for me days later, like puzzle pieces falling into place.