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This is my favorite of Calvino's novels. The baron in the trees can't touch the ground--ever. I think he travels from tree to tree to find a princess in Spain. It's been a while since I read this, but I wouldn't mind re-reading it.
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This is the story of a young Italian nobleman who, after a disagreement with his parents, climbs a tree and vows never to let his feet touch the ground again. Calvino’s masterful, folkloric writing style is possibly the only thing that could temper this ridiculous, whimsical story, sculpting it into an allegory about the power of determination and defiance, and a rousing testament to the courage needed to live life on your own terms - all accompanied by a hunting dachshund with small dog syndrom
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Nov 17, 2021
Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance
rated it
really liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
adventure,
imagination,
happiness,
healing,
folk-tale,
serendipity,
trees,
italy,
nature,
fiction
Cosimo di Rondó, a young adolescent, leads an insipid life as the older son of a minor noble in Italy during the time of Napoleon, subject to the tedious and idiosyncratic rules that govern the lives of all the upper classes. One night Cosimo rebels against his father's instruction to eat the snails served to him, and he strikes out into a tree, vowing never again to touch the earth.
And he doesn't. Instead, he creates a whole new big life for himself, living in the trees, looking out on the worl ...more
And he doesn't. Instead, he creates a whole new big life for himself, living in the trees, looking out on the worl ...more
A twelve-year-old boy climbs a tree and never comes down. It may not sound that interesting but this is a magical story of adventure, life, love, war, family, and everything in between. Cosimo's story is told through his brother who was a witness to this bizarre life from above and collected stories told from all around town and direct from his brother in the trees as well. At each turn there is a new story to be told and as a reader it keeps the imagination flowing. Italo Calvino is superb.
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Calvino manages to create a modern myth in his tale of the Baron who goes up into the trees and never sets foot on earth again. In penning an allegory that is fantastical, but metaphorically relevant to every human life, Calvino manages something rare. The book haunts me a little as I wonder what beliefs and behaviors that are seemingly insane have been incorporated into our day to day modern existence. After awhile, it doesn't seem strange to spend all your time in the trees.
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This is a rich sensory tale which makes me see why Calvino is so revered as a writer of the imaginative story. A 12-year-old nobleman, Cosimo de Rondeau, rebels and climbs from the family villa up into a tree and lives in the trees forever after. He spends his life in thought, reading and writing, serving the people of his family's land, partaking in adventures, and developing his philosophies and social views. It is a captivating story of a person who felt the need to separate himself from soci
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Very strange, but fascinating read. Anyone who can make a story this wierd seem real is truly a great writer.
Mar 27, 2009
Ching-In
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Jan 06, 2020
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May 06, 2023
Curlysue
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Sep 18, 2025
Chris Hammer
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