How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
The dismay at seeing [Irnerio] enter her house as if it were his is stronger than the uneasiness at being here yourself, half hidden. For that matter, you knew perfectly well that Ludmilla's house is open to her friends: the key is under the mat. (13.29)
When we first read this passage, it seems like you're once again feeling jealous of Irnerio's relationship with Ludmilla. But in this case, your jealousy is connected directly to a physical space. It's not just the idea of another man being romantically involved with Ludmilla that bothers you; it's the fact that he comes and goes from her apartment as he pleases.
And remember, your jealousy of Irnerio comes right on the heels of the jealousy you feel for the various books Ludmilla likes to read at once. You begin to realize that maybe no single man—just as no single book—can satisfy her. And yes, you're so into her that you're even jealous of the books that make her happy.
Quote #5
Jealousy, which has been a kind of game you played with yourself, now grips you relentlessly. And it isn't only jealousy: it is suspicion, distrust, the feeling that you cannot be sure of anything or anyone.... The pursuit of the interrupted book, which instilled in you a special excitement since you were conducting it together with the Other Reader, turns out to be the same thing as pursuing her, who eludes you in a proliferation of mysteries, deceits, disguises.... (13.53)
Whew. You've finally become aware that your jealousy over Ludmilla is directly connected to your desire to chase down the books you've started reading. Way to get fancy on us, Calvino. He's suggesting that there's a general type of desire that comes from not feeling satisfied in some way—whether it's from books or sex. It's a desire that's connected to the fantasy of romance and the fantasy of reading a book that can totally fulfill the promises made by its opening pages.
Quote #6
Little by little you will manage to understand something more about the origins of the translator's machinations: the secret spring that set them in motion was his jealousy of the invisible rival who came constantly between him and Ludmilla, the silent voice that speaks to her through books, this ghost with a thousand faces and faceless, all the more elusive since for Ludmilla authors are never incarnated in individuals of flesh and blood […] (13.113)
So much jealousy! But Marana's jealousy is totally book-related, because books are just way better at inflaming Ludmilla's desire than any human being ever could be. To top it off, Ludmilla is searching for something that always keeps her wanting more. Ah humans—never satisfied. Speaking of which, we could really go for a new pair of boots.