Italo Calvino: Mr. Palomar

It is no accident that his name recalls that of a famous telescope. Mr. Palomar is a quester after knowledge, a visionary in a world sublime and ridiculous. On vacation, Mr. Palomar focuses on natural phenomena: the passion of mating turtles, the moon by day, the sky by night. Returning to the city, he goes off to shop and becomes absorbed by galantines, pátés, terrines. Names and labels conjure up scenes of pastures, of the hunt, of sacred traditions of husbandry. Mr. Palomar's palate is in his mind. A delicatessen is a museum of civilization. He is impatient and taciturn in society, preferring to spin inner dialogues and listen to the silence of infinite spaces and the song of birds. Yet the intrusive, civilized "I" insists on being that crusty, charming gentleman, a failure as a telescope, a delight as Mr. Palomar.
A witty, elegant, fantastic tale.