The Baron in the Trees Book Summary

In Italo Calvino's enchanting novel 'The Baron in the Trees', a young nobleman named Cosimo decides to live in the trees of his family's estate, forsaking the ground below for a life among the branches. As he navigates his arboreal existence, he encounters a vivid cast of characters, from eccentric inventors to passionate lovers, all while challenging the conventions of society. Through Cosimo's eyes, readers explore themes of freedom, individuality, and the relationship between nature and civilization. The story beckons with whimsy and philosophical introspection, making one ponder the lengths we go to in pursuit of true autonomy. Can one truly find freedom by climbing higher, or does it come with unforeseen complications?

By Italo Calvino

Published: 2017

""I had to learn to live in the trees as if they were my own heart, and to understand that freedom is not a place but a way of being and seeing.""

Book Review of The Baron in the Trees

"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. Long considered one of Calvino's finest works, The baron in the trees exemplifies this brilliant writer's gift for fantasy."--Page [4] of cover.

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"I had to learn to live in the trees as if they were my own heart, and to understand that freedom is not a place but a way of being and seeing."

The Baron in the Trees

By Italo Calvino