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The Baron in the Trees
Book - 1959
Cosimo, a young eighteenth-century Italian nobleman, rebels by climbing into the trees to remain there for the rest of his life. He adapts efficiently to an arboreal existence and even has love affairs. Translated by Archibald Colquhoun.
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Publisher:
San Diego : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, c1959
ISBN:
9780156106801
0156106809
9780544959118
0156106809
9780544959118
Branch Call Number:
FIC
Characteristics:
217 pages ; 21 cm
Opinion
From Library Staff
This bittersweet fantasy is about a young Italian nobleman named Cosimo, who climbs a tree during a family argument and vows never to come down. He never does. Unlike that other great literary escapist Peter Pan, Cosimo manages to live apart from the world and in it at the same time. A charming t... Read More »
This bittersweet fantasy is about a young Italian nobleman anmed Cosimo, who climbs a tree during a family argument and vows never to come down. He never does. Unlike that other great literary escapist Peter Pan, Cosimo manages to live apart from the world and in it at the same time. A charming t... Read More »
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Add a CommentThis gave me major Counte of Monte Cristo Vibes, which is definitely a good start-- a stroll through history while following the hero's transformation in the face of extreme choices, in this case tree life. But with this imaginative premise and clearly no lack of writerly prowess, Calvino doesn't quite engage enough of a plot for a truly satisfying read. Like the protagonist, Cosimo, the narrative hovers just out of reach for its duration. It's still interesting and well written, but I had hoped for more substance. It's also not really Fantasy-- fantastical for sure, but there's no magic here, in case that's a dealbreaker for you.
A wild and hilarious story of a twelve year old aristocratic boy in the late 1700's ran into the trees because he didn't want to eat snails set out for him, and won't come down! Of course, it ends up being about much more than that. Utterly ludic and highly enjoyable!
Great read but the second half goes pretty slow... not that there isn't a lot happening, just that the flow and interest drops off.