Italo Calvino was an Italian novelist, short story writer, and journalist. He is best known for his works of fiction, such as the novel Invisible Cities and the collection of short stories Cosmicomics. He was also a member of the Italian Communist Party. Calvino's writing style was characterized by a blend of fantasy, realism, and philosophical reflections. His works often explored the relationship between reality and imagination, and he was a master of the art of storytelling. He was awarded the prestigious Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 1985.