The Baron in the Trees
Author: Italo Calvino
Published by: Vintage Classics
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★★
Published by: Vintage Classics
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★★
Cosimo di Rondó, a young Italian nobleman of the eighteenth century, rebels against his parents by climbing into the trees and remaining there for the rest of his life. He adapts efficiently to an existence in the forest canopy: he hunts, sows crops, plays games with earth-bound friends, fights forest fires, solves engineering problems, and even manages to have love affairs. From his perch in the trees, Cosimo sees the Age of Enlightenment pass by, and a new century dawn.
Cosimo di Rondó, a young Italian nobleman of the eighteenth century, rebels against his parents by climbing into the trees and remaining there for the rest of his life. He adapts efficiently to an existence in the forest canopy: he hunts, sows crops, plays games with earth-bound friends, fights forest fires, solves engineering problems, and even manages to have love affairs. From his perch in the trees, Cosimo sees the Age of Enlightenment pass by, and a new century dawn.
My thoughts:
The Baron in the Trees is a strange mix of a fairy-tale and social commentary, as Calvino explores the existentialist concept of one man’s ‘self-imposed exile.’
Calvino’s writing is beautifully inventive, and treats the narrative with a deadpan seriousness that sweeps you along.This is a whimsical, intriguing, spirited novel that imagines a life lived entirely on its own terms.
Inwardly, he seeks freedom from societal norms and rules and now, up on a tree, can see humanity ‘from above’ and, in many ways more clearly than other people. Over time, he manages to redefine the concept of freedom, experience love against all odds and grow into one legendary figure.
The novel is set in an imaginary village on the Ligurian Riviera, Ombrosa, and is narrated by Biagio, the younger brother of the protagonist, who tells the story of a young baron, Cosimo Piovasco di Rondò, firstborn of a noble family.
The main story begins with a dispute on in the villa of Ombrosa, between an adolescent Cosimo and his father, after which Cosimo, who had argued with his father because he had refused to eat snail soup, climbs the trees of the home garden, and promises never to come down again in his entire life.
True to his word, from the age of twelve, the Baron Cosimo Piovasco di Rondo makes his home among ash, elm, magnolia, plum and almond, living up in the trees. Cosimo's life take place in the trees; first in the family garden and then in the surrounding woods. He walks through paths made from the twisted branches of olive, makes his bed in a holly oak, bathes in a fountain constructed from poplar bark. An aerial library holds the books with which he educates himself in philosophy and mathematics.
In time, Cosimo manages not only to live on the trees, but also to hunt, cook food, sleep and wash his clothes up there. He makes himself useful to others and develops several friendships. Cosimo's life is full of adventures. The forest is extensive, and he lowers baskets to buy books from the local bookstore in town at the edge of the forest. When still young, his tutor comes to sit up in the trees with him. Suspended among the leaves, the Baron adventures with bandits and pirates, conducts a passionate love affair, and watches the Age of Enlightenment pass by beneath him.
Readers could compare The Baron in the Trees to stories such as Peter Pan, The Jungle Book and perhaps even Robin Hood or The Swiss Family Robinson, but truly I feel this novel is totally unique. It is a magical, wonderful, bizarre, witty, and free-swinging fantasy story. I loved it.
Overall reaction:
The Baron in the Trees is a strange mix of a fairy-tale and social commentary, as Calvino explores the existentialist concept of one man’s ‘self-imposed exile.’
Calvino’s writing is beautifully inventive, and treats the narrative with a deadpan seriousness that sweeps you along.This is a whimsical, intriguing, spirited novel that imagines a life lived entirely on its own terms.
Inwardly, he seeks freedom from societal norms and rules and now, up on a tree, can see humanity ‘from above’ and, in many ways more clearly than other people. Over time, he manages to redefine the concept of freedom, experience love against all odds and grow into one legendary figure.
The novel is set in an imaginary village on the Ligurian Riviera, Ombrosa, and is narrated by Biagio, the younger brother of the protagonist, who tells the story of a young baron, Cosimo Piovasco di Rondò, firstborn of a noble family.
The main story begins with a dispute on in the villa of Ombrosa, between an adolescent Cosimo and his father, after which Cosimo, who had argued with his father because he had refused to eat snail soup, climbs the trees of the home garden, and promises never to come down again in his entire life.
True to his word, from the age of twelve, the Baron Cosimo Piovasco di Rondo makes his home among ash, elm, magnolia, plum and almond, living up in the trees. Cosimo's life take place in the trees; first in the family garden and then in the surrounding woods. He walks through paths made from the twisted branches of olive, makes his bed in a holly oak, bathes in a fountain constructed from poplar bark. An aerial library holds the books with which he educates himself in philosophy and mathematics.
In time, Cosimo manages not only to live on the trees, but also to hunt, cook food, sleep and wash his clothes up there. He makes himself useful to others and develops several friendships. Cosimo's life is full of adventures. The forest is extensive, and he lowers baskets to buy books from the local bookstore in town at the edge of the forest. When still young, his tutor comes to sit up in the trees with him. Suspended among the leaves, the Baron adventures with bandits and pirates, conducts a passionate love affair, and watches the Age of Enlightenment pass by beneath him.
Readers could compare The Baron in the Trees to stories such as Peter Pan, The Jungle Book and perhaps even Robin Hood or The Swiss Family Robinson, but truly I feel this novel is totally unique. It is a magical, wonderful, bizarre, witty, and free-swinging fantasy story. I loved it.
Overall reaction:
